Most of us remember the Junior High School science lab. It was our first experience with the insides of a frog. Surprise surprise! We learned that the way in which something is designed controls how it behaves. Depending on our constitution, we either loved it or hated every moment. But beyond our first exposure to slimy things, it was our first exposure to Francis Bacon’s Scientific Method:

We observed the frog. 
We formed a hypothesis about the frog. 
We tested our assumptions. 
We analyzed the data.

We came up with earth shattering conclusions like, “most frogs are green”, and “the leg muscles are designed to jump long distances”. I am certain our teachers beamed with pride at our erudite hypothesis.  
 
But we did not understand we were using an ancient discipline. The methodology was a structured framework to produce formidable results. It was used not only by Francis Bacon, but by the likes of Galileo, Newton, and Einstein, just to name a few.

And we thought we were learning about frogs.

Unfortunately, we confused the slimy things with the methodology and deemed them both forgettable. Little did we know that the biggest questions in life happen outside the lab.And little did we remember that if we could think like a scientist, it would help us analyze these questions and solve the bigger problems of life. 

Small Business can benefit from this kind of inductive thinking.Small Business is one big giant laboratory with all sorts of experiments going on in every corner. Some of them, steaming and bubbling, are fraught with danger. (Wait, do I hear mad laughter?) If we only remembered to use the inductive method, as our 7th grade Science teacher taught us, we could avoid a few unnecessary explosions.

Free thinking and structured thinking are both necessary in Small Business. Last week, we learned that Creativity is the coveted substance needed to move any business into infinity and beyond. Creativity by its very nature requires experimentation and uncertainty. We must learn to live with a measure of uncertainty and move forward despite our doubts if we are ever going to accomplish anything. (If you are waiting to be sure before you move, you will never move, because you will never be sure. If you must be sure, better keep your day job.)

But having some doubt does not mean that we cannot mitigate as many risks as possible using the scientific method. 

The question to ask before embarking on any new idea is, “How do you know that?”

We can observe, we can form a hypothesis, we can collect information, we can test our assumptions. And we can allow that testing to inform our decision making. We can also weigh the possible outcomes. How do we know our customer base will love this product? What is the worst that can happen? What could we do if that happened? Is there a Plan B, or C, or G for that matter? If you have defined what success looks like, you should be able to measure it. You can test and measure the efforts as you go along. You can test the difference between efforts A and B. You can analyze the change between periods from the efforts of B. Intelligent entrepreneurs use their heads, as well as their hearts, to move their businesses forward.  

If you are an innovator, you will have a few explosions in your lab. The failed experiments of small business can make you feel quite small. It is difficult to choose the right path forward when you have black around your eyes, burned eyebrows, and you feel like a fool. Knowing how to think like a scientist can make the difference between a knee-jerk reaction and a great recovery. 

All this month we will be talking about how we can harness the Laws of Science and the Universe to make our businesses better. 

While you are waiting for the rest of the posts, stir up the office a bit. Start thinking like a scientist. Don your lab coat and commence with the mad laughter. Everyone will at least be on their toes, because they will have no clue what will happen next. 

And join us next time for Part II. 

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Why do we at etc!graphics inc, a graphic design company, care about your business strategies?  Because no matter how beautiful your graphics, they will never make more sense than the clarity of your own vision. The clearer your vision, the more lucid your marketing will be, and the better connection you will make with your target customer. We want to help you find the gold in your business. Join us all this month as we share ways to help your small business sustain and grow in a crowded marketplace. Etc!Graphics is devoted to helping you, the small business owner, think like a marketer.