Without problems there are no ideas – without ideas there is no innovation – without innovation there is no development – without development there is no success! But the term “problem” is misleading and has negative connotations. It is therefore only logical that many entrepreneurs speak motivationally of “challenges”, “opportunities for success” or even “goals”, which can mean “problems”. The Latin origin of the word “problem” means nothing more than: “that which is presented, that which has been presented, that which [zur Lösung] has been presented”, i.e. a situation that requires a solution and calls for action. This could be a task without a solution, a process that is not working as expected or a wish that cannot yet be fulfilled.
The problem as an opportunity? Of course! Almost all great inventions arose because people thought about problems and did everything they could to solve them. Whether it was Gutenberg, who wanted to reproduce written texts in an optimized process to make them accessible to many people, or Edison, who tried to create a light source that not only the rich could afford. Sometimes inventions even arise because people like Steve Jobs are already working on solutions to problems that customers don’t even have at the time. This also shows the interplay between a recognized opportunity, a challenge, targeted action and a corresponding solution.
If you are looking for solutions to problems and creative ways of thinking, the first step is always to work out as precise a definition of a question as possible to better describe the objective. This question can be formulated as a simple question or as a wish:
- How can I reach xy?
- I would like to achieve xy.
Creative people in particular can regularly produce such open questions and have fun with them. They also discover the issues – and look for alternatives – where other people have not yet seen any need for optimization. With a little practice, you too will learn to specify questions and thus approach your goal successfully and creatively:
How do I formulate a good goal?
- As concrete as possible, instead of: “I want to increase the sales of my business”
better: “I want to sell more flowers to people under 30.” - As often as possible: The more questions are formulated, the more answers are possible.
- As challenging as possible: The goals should not be too easy to solve, but also not too big.
Develop a vision of opportunity for yourself by walking through the world with open eyes, constantly on the lookout for new questions. Try not to see problems as a burden, but as a stimulating exercise. That’s why it’s your turn now:
Take a sheet of paper and write down as many open questions as possible that you can think of about your work, your daily routine or the processes in your job. It is not important that you find an answer immediately; the first step should be to formulate as many specific questions as possible.
This exercise can also be done well in a team, but make sure that there is no “nagging mood” and that the questions are formulated constructively. Or just use the Innovationdigging method. Like treasure hunters, the team members go in search of new questions and thus make idea generation plannable (read more here).
The list will now serve as food for thought for your next creative meetings. Our Innovation Wiki will tell you how to come up with new ideas. Lots of creative methods and practical experience are waiting for you!
