Problem solving and decision making

After a few hours in the office today, one of our Social and Environmental Compliance Auditors took me to one of our top-performing factories. It was a pristine facility with beautiful gardens, clean and clear aisles, a nursery for workers' children, an medical station and an on-site ATM for all the workers.

Because this factory is so progressive, The Corporation has partnered with factory management to pilot an educational program for women workers. The comprehensive program, aimed to give workers the skills necessary not only to advance in their careers but also to enrich their personal lives, is a multi-month affair that incorporates interactive, small-group learning techniques.

I had the opportunity to observe one of the sessions on PSDM (problem solving and decision making) and I must admit that I was impressed. The women were engaged in the material, coming up with sophisticated answers to the problems presented and generally expressed that the program was changing their lives. They dove into the materials, wrote on white boards and flip charts, eagerly sorted through note cards and seemed to enjoy their time spent learning.

The women reported that they have better communication skills, understand how to approach problems and have learned to negotiate. They've been able to put these new skills to work with their supervisors, but more interestingly, with their husbands and in-laws as well! I think Panda!!!! could use some of this training.