It is very common that when a person wants to start a business, it is because they believe they have the next great idea that will revolutionize the world, or have the best product that human beings have ever seen. And what’s wrong with this? Nothing in principle, but a product or service that does not address a real problem can never be successful. A successful venture is based on a deep understanding of the client and the problem to be solved.
ring a bell? If you are obsessed with a solution and have not delved into the problem this is for you. Identifying a real and significant problem facing a group of people is essential to creating a successful business. You must understand that your mission is to find a valuable solution to that particular problem. This requires in-depth research and a clear understanding of the needs and wants of potential customers.
Design Thinking
It is not about fitting a solution into a preconceived problem, but about discovering a real need and finding the best possible solution. One of the most successful methodologies for achieving this is the process known as Design Thinking or human-centered design.
The first step in user-centered design is empathy with the consumer and their needs. This implies immersing yourself in the life and experiences of users to understand their challenges and real needs, just as it is popularly said, you have to walk in their shoes. Through interviews and observations you should seek to gain a deep understanding of customer pain points. This will allow you to gain an authentic perspective and develop genuine empathy for them.
Once you better understand the need and the context, it is key to clearly define what problem is being addressed. This involves identifying the underlying causes and implications of the problem. By delimiting and defining precisely, you will be able to focus your efforts on finding a suitable and effective solution.
test your idea
The next step is the generation of innovative ideas. At this stage, you should look at a wide range of possible solutions. It is important to encourage creativity and think outside the box. You can use techniques like brainstorming, lateral thinking, and combining ideas to generate diverse and novel options.
Once you have generated a series of ideas, it is important to create prototypes to validate them. The prototypes will allow you to visualize and experiment with the proposed solutions. These prototypes can range from drawings on a napkin to a nearly finished product or simulation development of an application, it all depends on where in the process you are. Prototyping helps you assess the feasibility and effectiveness of ideas, allowing you to make adjustments and improvements before investing significant resources in the final implementation.
Identify areas for improvement
It is crucial to test the prototypes with the target audience. This stage involves getting feedback and observing user reaction to the proposed solutions. You should conduct usability tests, surveys, or interviews to gather valuable data and feedback. User feedback is critical to understanding how the solution is perceived and used, and helps identify possible improvements and adjustments.
Finally, it is important to reincorporate the feedback received into the design process. You should analyze user feedback and feedback and use it to iterate and improve the solution. This means making adjustments based on feedback, testing again, and continuing to improve until you have a solution that actually solves the problem effectively and meets the needs of your users.
This process may seem long and tedious, but it is a fundamental tool to achieve a successful product or service. I invite you to fall in love with a problem instead of obsessing over a single solution, so you will constantly be looking to better understand it and generate the best possible solution, thus increasing your chances of a successful business.
Ximena Arguelles Passionate about the gender struggle and the empowerment of women, from knowledge of entrepreneurship and business strategy to self-love and acceptance.