Always Make The Best Decision

About

Informed Choice (ic!)® Foreword Informed Choice (ic!)® is an App which works out the best choice from any range of choices according to the personal views of those involved.  These views are all expressed in an easy to use universal or common ‘language’.  As a result, decisions become universally transparent and open to improvement. And, whenever more than one person is involved, Informed Choice (ic!)® still identifies the best choice, again based on everyone’s views or assessments, thus promoting UNITY and COMMITMENT to the result.  Informed Choice (ic!)® has no interest in selling products or services (really!), or distracting users with pleading (sic) adverts!  Nor do we seek subscriptions, donations, commissions or sponsorships.  Like “www”, it will be forever free to help everyone and anyone make the best choice - pure and simple.  Furthermore, Informed Choice (ic!)® is NOT remotely interested in who, or where you are or what you do (sorry!) – so no privacy issues either. As a result, Informed Choice (ic!)® will always ensure it is beyond reproach. Informed Choice (ic!)® primarily enables anyone to understand clearly how any choice was made, especially if the result does not align with their own thinking, thus making the whole process transparent.  We may not necessarily agree with someone else’s view, but at least it will be understood. Transparency also means any aspect of your decision is open to scrutiny, and, by definition, improvement; transparency is one of the most powerful benefits of Informed Choice (ic!)®, especially when engaging with others. Through Informed Choice (ic!)®, anyone can try different scores to test what effect there will be (if any) on their initial best choice - “what…if?” Also, as the application develops, many more features and facilities of this kind will be added to enhance this unique process even further. And, because it can be used for ANY set of choices, with any number of people, Informed Choice (ic!)®  is expected to become a widely-used (or de facto) standard for choosing the best one from any selection of choices.  Also, by focusing solely on relevant issues, Informed Choice (ic!)® enhances clarity of thought, as well as the quality of the result, especially when more than one person is involved; it is so much easier, saves time, promotes harmony and, perhaps above all, understanding.  Later, anyone can review their choice if, for example, circumstances change.   We can’t guarantee that you will be wiser, but, at least, you should be far better informed (!) and much more comfortable with the (demonstrable) outcome.  No more prevarication, no more dithering, just plain, solid confidence in your best choice which can be readily illustrated to others. Let’s examine some (of so many) areas of application: Personnel Recruitment Compare any candidate with a notional “model” candidate (not a diva!), for any job description – this is a ‘first’. Properly account for the views of all interested Assessors. For all involved, achieve unity and commitment to the best choice (candidate) - so recruitment fees can be paid, on time! Clearer communication between all parties. Bias-neutral, proof of innocence (sic) - another ‘first’. Highlight candidates’ (perceived) weaknesses so they can focus on strengthening them to improve their own future prospects. Procurement Distinguish clearly between several suppliers/service providers or range of products/services.  Simplify an often daunting process especially when more than one person is involved in choosing the best one. Ensure you (alone or jointly with others) always choose the best supplier/product/service, based on the views of all concerned. Succinctly document the rationale of that choice. Fully satisfy inquisitors if the choice made is ever questioned. Train others and safely delegate responsibility. Transparency seriously challenges/reveals any dubious practices. No more hidden friends of fiends (sic), “plain brown envelopes”, gifts on the side, “inducements” etc….  Just plain good old merit! Financial Services For each client, select the best (not just good) financial scheme, for, say, a Mortgage, Pension, Insurance, etc.  Properly embrace the views and/or preferences of the client(s) themselves - “know your customer” better: Identify the best financial product/service – for any client(s). Bring clients’ views properly into account.  Succinctly document the process, which, in turn, helps to Resolve any issues that may arise subsequently, especially claims for mis-sold products or services. Sales Informed Choice (ic!)® is the most powerful, cost-effective sales tool ever devised, bar none.  Informed Choice (ic!)® ensures Sales personnel win ALL the business they CAN win  Significantly improve conversion rates. More effective use of Sales personnel time. Presentation structure greatly improved. Better sales training, better sales management. Clearly identify the accurate and objective reason for winning or losing business. Understand the best choice for the client, and why. Improved market perceptions. Medical Having diagnosed an ailment, Physicians need to prescribe the best medication or course of treatment.  With Informed Choice (ic!)®, together with access to clinical trial data, Physicians will only need to “know their patient” to identify the best choice.  As a result: Patients wholly reassured that Physicians are properly acting in their best interests, not overridden by other vested interests.  Succinct and accurate documentation of the choice made should have a profound impact on professional indemnity insurance, for the benefit of both Insurance Companies and Physicians alike – risk reduction. Physicians positively aided to make the best choice based on their assessment of the patient and clinical trial data. General So, who can use Informed Choice (ic!)®?  Answer: anyone and everyone who has access to the Internet and a choice to make. Truly ubiquitous and generic, Informed Choice (ic!)® can be used for just about any subject.  To illustrate further the breadth of its appeal, some (of so many more) areas of use are: Consumers – to choose the best from an incredibly diverse range of products and services, such as cars, white/brown goods, mobile phones, banks, holidays, houses, software, annuities, service providers, etc. etc. and many, many more, far too numerous to mention here.  Parents/Teachers – to choose the best school, college, university, career, course, etc., for their families and/or students. Procurement to choose the best Supplier/Provider and/or Products/Services through open and verifiable merit, regardless of how many people, often with different skills, may be involved in the process. Corporations/Boards of Directors – need to choose the best strategies, tactics, policies, etc., usually from widely different viewpoints and get UNITY and COMMITMENT to the result.  Adoption of Informed Choice (ic!)® within the management of any Organisation, will ensure the best of Corporate Governance, never mind significantly improve results and training.  Delegation of responsibility will be better and safer too. Voters – to choose the best party/candidate.  Political representatives will also be able to reveal the rationale of their own actions in matters of realpolitik.  Democracy incarnate! – Real, meaningful transparency. Recruitment/Political Representatives – to choose the best candidate, based on the views/assessments of all those involved.  Also, to see how a chosen candidate’s profile compares with that of a notional “model” candidate (this is a ‘first’), when assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Regulators/Authorities – Informed Choice (ic!)® succinctly document how any choice was made at the time.  Resolution of any disputes arising afterwards  will, therefore, be greatly assisted by incontrovertibly clear evidence. …and so it goes on…  Oil companies, Local Government, Police, Health Services, Manufacturers, (Accountable) Accountants (whatever next?)……. The political, social and economic effects could be phenomenal. Because there has not been a de facto methodology for choosing, none of us has actually been TRAINED how to always make the best choice on any subject.  Being ubiquitous, Informed Choice (ic!)® addresses this in full; it is both easy to use and understand. All of the foregoing and many other areas will benefit, immeasurably, by the adoption of Informed Choice (ic!)®.  Indeed, we go further by saying that society in general will reap great improvements from two basic factors inherent in Informed Choice (ic!)®. First, Informed Choice (ic!)® offers an orderly, structured and focused approach to ensure the best choice is always made.  And any number of people may be involved (from one to “n”), each of whom has their own views for any number of choices on any subject.  Informed Choice (ic!)® embraces them all. Secondly, the thinking applied in making any choice will be clear and understandable to anyone.  The rationale used and the assessments or scores given by anyone involved are all easily interpreted through a universal ‘language’. In short, by using Informed Choice (ic!)® the whole process of choosing becomes genuinely transparent, and not before time!  Sunshine is the best disinfectant!  The benefits of this extend to better training, clearer understanding and communication as well as fairness not to mention level playing fields, all round.  Democracy, Devolution, Governance, to name but a few, will all be greatly enhanced. Alternate Thinking As some guiding principles in these matters, we should first banish all notions of a “right” or “wrong” choice; there is no such thing!  Who is to judge?  What is “right” for one may equally be “wrong” for someone else.  All we can achieve is to make the best choice possible, all things considered for us, or our group, based on our own judgements and assessments, as at that point in time. Nothing more, nothing less. The language we use has its own bias, for example, “fault” is for geologists; it is not an acceptable term for describing people’s attributes.  Each one of us has strengths and weaknesses; ask yourself “By what measure does a weakness become a ‘fault’?” And, how often have we used the word “blame”; a damning, even prejudicial word.  Keep such emotive baggage out of the equation altogether and use “accountability” instead. Also, the “Cloud” is a much vaunted stage of future computing.  But why “Cloud”?  For those who have actually experienced it, they will know only too well, that in a cloud, like mountaineers, it is cold and wet and you can’t see where you are going!   Very apt; typical of the computing fraternity!  At least it’s honest, albeit not quite how it is promoted. However, using the same analogy, with Informed Choice (ic!)® you are taken above the cloud.  From initial “foggy” or “cloudy” thinking at the beginning, we ascend into the sunshine above, where we can see things so much more clearly, and focus on each element in a controlled and rational manner. And it’s nice, dry and warm! With Informed Choice (ic!)®, we can now show the rationale of our choice to others by saying “Here’s MY/OUR best choice, can you improve it?”  In the same vein, “Don’t knock it if you can’t improve it”.  Informed Choice (ic!)® is unique.  It will “split the proverbial Internet atom”, unleashing powerful and compelling forces for the benefit of all.  Without fear of contradiction, it is the killer application for the Internet and one which has long been sought by all and sundry.  And without commercial conflict. Finally, an extensive blueprint for on-going development of Informed Choice (ic!)® has been mapped out.  Many additional facilities, features, opportunities and pleasant surprises will be released as the site is developed.  For example, we intend to foster a community of experts to compile and maintain a decision library, similar to the Wikipedia model, but with attitude.  Unlike Wikipedia, the contributors will earn royalties, akin to book authors, to ensure the library is fully maintained.   In the fullness of time, it is expected that Informed Choice (ic!)® will influence the whole demeanour of the Internet itself, significantly.  For good – not evil!  Quite a challenge, we know, but one that is relished.