Building Technology vs Solving Problems
Yesterday I gave a talk at Saskatoon Barcamp on Building Technology vs Solving Problems. I started my presentation by asking, who here is building technology? Who here is solving problems? Those are two very different questions, and definitely not synonyms.
I believe innovation occurs following four basic steps:
- Identify Real Problem – real challenge that a group is facing
- Define Practical Solution – simple way to fill that need
- Find Appropriate Technology – appropriate technology based on users needs
- Leads To Profit – since you are filling a real need you will find ways to profit
- No Real Problem – most companies haven’t asked what problem they are solving
- No Practical Solution – you can’t have a solution unless you have a problem
- Build New Technology – building technology without knowing what they are trying to solve
- Struggle To Profit – invent a market and try to find users that don’t exist
“One of the reasons for lack of innovation in the Valley is that entrepreneurs are not exposed to enough real-world problems.” – TNW
“Not putting their brains to good use by solving real-world problems. Instead they’re building technology to solve trivial issues.” – TNW
“Many entrepreneurs are in it for the wrong reasons, they should be more focussed on doing something big and good for the world and figuring where the money comes after that.” – TNW
Works with car park operators to assist city motorists in locating the nearest parking slot, view remaining slots, book a slot, and pay the parking fee. Product is intended to reduce the inconveniences motorists go through to locate free parking slots in Nairobi City.
Although EasyParking didn’t win Pivot25, it still highlights a practical solution to a real problem.
- Identify Real Problem – difficult to find parking downtown
- Define Practical Solution – give motorists easy way to reserve parking on route
- Find Appropriate Technology – request and receive confirmation via mobile
- Leads To Profit – drivers save time and willing to pay for a guaranteed spot
- Identify Real Problem – costly and timely to take sick animal to the vet
- Define Practical Solution – allow ranchers to communicate with a network of veterinarians to get answers to their questions saving trip to the clinic
- Find Appropriate Technology – rancher sends SMS with question which is forwarded to a network of veterinarians, available vets reply back with their answer
- Leads To Profit – you can charge rancher per SMS giving part back to the veterinarian for there answer
- Revolutionary idea, is just practical solution to a real problem
- Innovation happens at the intersect of disciplines
- Identify real problem, define practical solution, find appropriate technology, and it leads to profit
Thoughts? Comments? I’d love to hear them