Interview with author J. Eduardo Campos

From Problem Solving To Solution Design: Turning Ideas Into Actions

1. What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and conveying it into a book?

We had been talking about writing it for years, but a professor and mentor at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance was the one who challenged us to do it. We were both graduate students in late 2014, and professor Dobel taught Building for Legacy and Ethics & Values. In his classes, he always taught that one must share knowledge as a way to build legacy, and that it’s the best way to give back. Then, we met a ForbesBooks representative in a conference, and bingo! A few years later, we had our book published in late April.

2. What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader?

Our book, From Problem Solving To Solution Design, Turning Ideas Into Actions, is about using a framework to create sustainable solutions for complex organizational problems, such as people transition after a company merge, mission rethinking after a non-profit reorganizations, or fighting homelessness or improving chaotic traffic management for government agencies and public sector. The book is targeted at middle managers who are dealing with complex problems, in which there are several stakeholders, the problem itself evolves over time, and the solution is made of several different and seemingly disconnected components.

3. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? What should remain with them long after putting it down? We hope the readers will absorb the concept that all the knowledge needed to create sustainable solutions for complex problems is already inside the organization, the so-called embedded knowledge. Using our own framework for that, I.D.E.A.S., the readers will be able to unleash their organization’s embedded knowledge, and with that create such solutions, which will last in the long-term.

I.D.E.A.S. is an acronym made with the initials of the checkpoints we recommend for solution design, which stand for:

·         Identify the problem’s root cause (the essential problem)

·         Design solution options

·         Engage your stakeholders

·         Act on the solution implementation

·         Sustain the solution in the long term

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Identify your purpose, values, and principles before starting to write, and go from there. Sharing knowledge is great, but your readers want you to share who you are and what you stand for as well. Then, find a great publisher such as ForbesBooks, and work hand in had with your editor. Writing is the product of passion, and perseverance is needed for the writer to get it done.

5. What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? Readers love audiobooks and digital versions, although they still love to connect with the authors, get a signed copy, and feel the book in their hands. Research show and I believe that we will keep seeing printed books, even though digital and audio versions are more and more consumed.

6. What great challenges did you have in writing your book? Getting to the essence of what we wanted to share. We started with a 75,000 word book, and our editor helped us to cut it down to about 40,000 words. We meant to write a field guide for solution designers, therefore we had to be very focused on our message. The book has four case studies per each of the five chapters, which makes it palatable. Readers want to read great stories to which they can relate to.

7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours? We believe readers can learn from the get go a framework that will help them to craft their own solutions to solve their own organizational complex problems. It is a very pragmatic field guide for middle managers and up to get solid results that will last over time. They can definitely help their organizations where many tried and few succeed.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America and participated in a PR panel at the Sarah Lawrence College Writers Institute Conference.