Solve Real Problems That People Will Pay For Where You Add Unique Value

March 25th, 2010 Sean Murphy

Tien G. Nguyen suggested three filters for a good business idea:

  1. Solve a problem that he has personally.
  2. Solve a problem that customers will pay you immediately to solve.
  3. Solve a problem that is a real one for customers.

What I think he is looking for in #1 is a problem that he has some useful knowledge about.  Another way to say what I mean is that it should be become something that he can add unique value to, based on experience, expertise, or skills.

I think it’s stronger if  you reverse the order to be:

  1. Solve a real customer problem,
  2. That they are willing to pay for,
  3. Where you add unique value (know-how, experience, or expertise) to the solution.

Entry Filed under: skmurphy

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2 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Nathan Ketsdever  |  April 16th, 2010 at 7:03 am

    The final letter from the folks at Eventvue contains a lot of insight on #1 (a rather expensive and valuable lesson about start up entrepreneurship). It also points to the need to create a “gotta have” product or service versus “nice to have.”

    This story from Tech Crunch links to the letter:
    http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/05/eventvue-deadpool/

  • 2. SKMurphy, Inc. » Qu&hellip  |  January 31st, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    [...] It’s  not enough to make something that people want, they have to need it and be willing to pay for it. See also “Solve Real Problems That People Will Pay For Where You Add Unique Value.” [...]

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