Situation: Conditional situation

Hi, welcome to the sixteenth day of The Leads Intellectual challenge: a 30-day challenge with Fatai Kareem. If you would like to know the types of situation to be discussed in the challenge, read the fifteenth day challenge here.

Today, he will be discussing a type of situation known as conditional situation. Have you ever found yourself in a situation whereby you have to do something in order to avoid another thing? Have you ever had to follow some rules before you achieve a goal? Why is that an increase in demand for some goods leads to a decrease in demand for another good? Are you thinking of the strategy to be adopted for achieving a particular effect?

Well, understanding conditional situation will enable you to interact better with situation like the ones above. What is conditional situation?

A conditional situation is a situation that occurs when there is a causative relationship between two or more conditions such that the occurrence of one condition affects the other condition(s). It goes as if B is to occur, then A must occur, or else C.

This is a situation that can be made to occur by making two or more conditions to have a causative relationship in such a way that the occurrence of one will affect other conditions. This can be that when one condition occurs, others will follow, or be hindered. The kind of relationship between them shows how they are likely to affect one another. Therefore, it is important to understand this relationship. This understanding is the key to the application of conditional situation.

Possible relationship between two or more conditions include:

• Direct/positive relationship: this occurs when the occurrence of one condition leads to the occurrence of the other condition. Also, it occurs when an increase in one condition results in an increase in the another condition, and vice versa. This type of relationship exists between complement conditions, joint conditions, etc. Reinforcement, association, etc., is common in this case. For instance, a situation whereby you enjoy more benefits the more you pay. You already know that if you want to enjoy more benefits, you have to pay more money. Another one is a situation whereby you need to have minimum requirements before you can be admitted. Your admission depends on having the requirements, or else, you can not get admitted. 

• Inverse/negative relationship: this occurs when the occurrence of one condition hinders the occurrence of other condition. Also, it occurs when an increase in one condition leads to a decrease in another condition, and vice versa. This relationship exists between substitute conditions, mutually exclusive conditions, etc. Diminishing returns, opportunity cost, scale of preference, etc., are common in this case. For instance, a situation whereby you can only choose one option out of four options. You already know that you are only left with one while the remaining ones are to be forgone.

• interdependent/ relative relationship: this occurs when two or more conditions that depend on one another are affected when one of them is at fault. It occurs in such a way that when one condition stops, all other conditions stop because they can not work alone, rather together. Therefore, every condition that makes up the whole system must be effective. For instance, a situation whereby you need 5 items before the desirable result can be achieved. You might not be able to achieve the result if you have 4 items. Hence, you may delay what you want to do until you get the other item.

• hierarchical/ sequential relationship: this occurs when two or more conditions have different levels of importance from highest to lowest. It follows an established structure of authority, rank, position or responsibility with an upward movement from down to the top. For instance, you are have no prior knowledge of programming and you desire to become an expert, you can start with courses meant for beginners, then intermediates, then experts. If you decide to take the course that is meant for an expert, you maybe hard for you to cope with it.

• irreversible relationship: this occurs when one condition leads to another condition without being reversed. That is, the resultant condition can not be stopped or changed. For example if A leads to B, A can not gotten back, or B can not be stopped. For instance, a situation whereby you can not get your money back once you have paid even if you are not satisfied with the product. You already know that your money is non-refundable, hence you know what will happen to your money if you make a payment.

• reversible relationship: this occurs when a condition leads to another condition and it can be reversed. That is, the resultant condition can be stopped or changed. For example, if A leads B, A can be retrieved, or B can be stopped or changed. For instance, if you are given 30 days payback guarantee that if you are not satisfied with a product or service, then you can decide to request for your money when the product or service does not satisfy you.

Case study

1. The sales manager of From and To Ltd observes that the demand for their products is decreasing. After conducting market research, it is discovered that its competitors are selling their products at cheaper prices. What kind of relationship exists between the product of From and To Ltd and its competitors? How can the sales manager take advantage of conditional situation to improve the sales?

2. Friend, a finance enthusiast, believes that without attending school, he can become a finance professional, even work in top investment banks. Is his belief realistic? What does he need to do to achieve his ambition?

3. XYZ company sells its products with non-refundable policy. May is not satisfied with the product and returns it to the company to collect her money back. Is she likely to get her money back? 

Disclaimer: All names used are for illustration purpose.

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