Product Development Done Right: Focus on the problem

Entrepreneurs have a passionate nature. They like to solve problems and develop solutions for a better world.

Startups are founded around a strong feeling about something: the founders of Waze were sick of traffic jams, Starbucks wanted to make better coffee and SpaceX hated the way payloads were sent into orbit.

The idea is then refined into its simplest terms. Every startup has something like this formula: We are going to solve X because of Y, and therefore the result will be Z.

Yet when the company embarks on its journey to solve a problem, an emotional roller coaster begins. It’s a path that can be long and difficult. This is why it’s so important that the passion fueling a company stay true and focused.

The most difficult part is the beginning, when a company is starving for traction. It’s easy to have doubts about an idea and whether it’s really worth the effort. Nevertheless, a startup has to remember not to change directions or run out of energy to keep going.

Once a company finds its users, doubts melt away. Then the issue becomes to continue to focus on the problem from the user’s perspective and keep improving the solution.

Consumers hate having problems. If they find a product that solves them, their negative feelings toward the issue become positive, and a powerful force to root a startup.

To find success, entrepreneurs need to keep focusing on problems and how to solve them in the most effective way.