Understanding. Why we get paid.
Good solutions are always simple. It is the understanding that is difficult.
Solutions, the lifeblood of your business venture! Right? They hold the power to unlock both revenue and reputation, propelling you towards success. Naturally, as entrepreneurs and business owners, it's easy to become singularly focused on devising those game-changing answers, sometimes overlooking the essence of the problems you aim to solve in the first place.
Common Traps
Ever hear the phrase "the contract states..."—it is a seductive but treacherous path that often leads to lackluster solutions. It may appear simple and authoritative, but let's be honest, it won't work wonders for your business's growth. When business partners need to quote contracts to come to an agreement, it is a sure sign that certain parties are not being understood, and things are splitting at the seams.
And then there are other tempting shortcuts we fall prey to. When the boss utters the words, "Just do it," or someone brushes off your inquiries with a dismissive, "Because I said so," deep down, we know something is falling short, and maybe falling apart. These shortcuts are like temporary fixes, burning the floorboards at home for heat almost—they might offer a temporary respite, but they won't weather the storms of building a sustainable and thriving enterprise.
Sure, you can check off tasks on your to-do list when using such methods, but let's not lose sight of the bigger picture. The real value lies in solutions that compound over time, magnifying your impact and propelling your business venture towards its goals.
In sales? Listen to what the customer really wants. He might be saying the product is too novel, but maybe he means is he is worried that his job might be on the line if the product fails.
Trying to work together with business partners to deliver a service? Think about the risks that each party is sharing, and what their desired outcomes might be. “Our agreement states…” is not where mutually beneficial win wins are found.
Takeaway
To get to the right solution, we have to understand the problem. To truly understand a challenge, we need expertise and experience.
Be present and understand the nature of a problem.
Is it technical in nature? Don’t solve it with pricing, discounts or payment terms.
Is it to do with relationships? Call someone to introduce you and to build trust.
Need to build a network? Do not throw money at online solutions promising to substitute for the real thing. Pick up the phone. Go to that conference.
Closing a sale? Build trust. Ask what their goals are. Do not just send a quote to tick a box.
Find an expert that understands the details of the problem at hand.
Trust his or her solutions. Get a second opinion if you must, but make sure that person is also an expert.
Simple is good, but refrain from shortcuts. Embrace the tension, fight the urge to settle.
Ask yourself: Does this solution compound value?
Remember, powerful solutions are not just about problem-solving—they revolutionise industries, captivate customers, and scale businesses to new heights.
So, the next time you're tempted to take a shortcut solution, pause and ask yourself, "Will this propel my business forward continually, or will it sputter out?" Choose the path of least resistance at your own peril.
Trivia
The Chinese characters for understanding is 理解。 I find this pretty amusing, especially when you dive into the individual characters. They are translated below:
Of course this is a loose thread to be pulling on, but it is interesting nonetheless no? To understand is to untie, dissolve or undo, but only after understanding the intrinsic nature (texture) of the issue at hand?
Good luck out there!