There are quite a few really good arguments for why you should focus on the problem rather than the solution, when you’re trying to build a successful company. But there is one that I think takes the prize as the most powerful one:
By focusing on the problem, you broaden the opportunity for yourself, your company and your future success.
Why?
Because you start being less solution-focused. Not agnostic as such because there will always be something that you do that you need to put into the product to give it the real edge it needs. But less solution-focused.
You may start out developing and shipping one product, get a good reception and perhaps even some decent traction. And once you can see that the core fundamentalt of what you’re doing seems to resonate in the market, you can lift your gaze and start thinking about what’s next.
And this is where focusing on the problem rather than the solution enters the picture:
By focusing on the problem, you will see more opportunities just by looking. And others may present themselves that you would otherwise not have noticed. And this gives you opportunity.
Instead of being strong in a niche, you can become stronger in a space – and maybe even grow to become dominant of an entire industry.
Because you chose a laser like focus on the problem.
Looking in retrospect, most companies don’t become wildly successful by just doing one thing or having one product. They become wildly successful, because they understand the market they are in, the jobs, pains and gains of their customers and constituents – and the problem space they’re working on.
You should apply that approach to yourself and your company too.
(Photo: Pixabay.com)