FAQs

No. The column is a free resource for the business community—our goal is to provide real value through shared insights.

Anything that’s getting in the way of progress. Common topics include leadership challenges, culture shifts, team performance, stalled innovation, unclear strategies, or communication breakdowns.

CEOs, founders, team leaders, managers—anyone facing a challenge in business. If you’re navigating change, stuck in a rut, or simply want a fresh perspective, this column is for you.

It’s a weekly column in the San Diego Business Journal that tackles real-world business challenges submitted by readers—answered by The Idea Guy®, an expert in creative problem-solving and innovation.

Yes. Follow-up sessions, coaching, or problem statement reviews can be arranged to support implementation and continued development.

Yes. We can tailor the examples, exercises, and facilitation to your industry, team structure, or strategic priorities.

Participants leave with a repeatable process for identifying the right problems, a refined problem statement they can use immediately, and a new set of collaborative skills that improve decision-making and

Yes, and we encourage it. The session is most effective when participants work on challenges relevant to their roles, departments, or strategic goals.

Any. From operational inefficiencies and customer engagement to internal communication or product development—this process helps clarify what really needs solving.

Absolutely. No technical background is required. The workshop is designed to help anyone—from leadership to front-line staff—improve how they define and solve problems using human insight and AI tools.

Just a laptop, internet connection, and access to their ChatGPT Plus account. All other materials (worksheets, links, and prompts) are provided.

The minimum session is 4 hours, and the whole session is 8 hours, which allows time for experimentation and project development. Custom options are available, including half-day and full-day formats