Find The Problem To Solve

Such a good point made by Instagram Co-Founder Kevin Systrom in this short video (below), about how often it's not generating solutions to problems which is the hard part, but finding the right problem to solve. And as Ed Cotton says, planners have some highly relevant craft skills in this critical area. Seems like entrepreneurs and planners have a number of things in common these days. Not least, to paraphrase Dan Greenberg, the need to love the problem your working on, but not get married to whatever the first solution appears to be.

Comments

[Carol L. Weinfeld]

This is an interesting way to approach problem-solving. Also, Systrom's focus on simplicity and utility for the consumer is important.

[Rob]

this is so true - not least because so many agencies suffer from if-you-only-have-a-hammer-every-problem-looks-like-a-nail syndrome, but also because, particularly in the technology space, the ultimate consequences of a course of action often take time to realise.

And so I've learnt that getting people behind technology in marketing (be that in agencies or client companies) needs to start by taking pain away, not with (what can be) a theoretical future nirvana. And of course you can only take the pain away if you understand the causes.

[Dan Greenberg]

Just saw this post (1 month later, I know!) -- thanks for the props. :)

Digging your blog, Neil.

[neilperkin]

Thanks Dan. And thanks for stopping by :-)