1. Much of the argument that goes on around the alternative solution across because people hold different perceptions of the problem. One of the reasons that Japanese Managers are perceived as making superior decisions compared to Western Managers is that they spend a great deal of effort and time determining that the problem is correctly defined. Unfortunately, too often in the West, Managers assume that the initial definition of the situation is correct. Up to half the time in meetings is spent in asking. "Is this the real problem?"