This is your solution ... so what's the Problem?

I was once described as not being able to see problems (or challenges as I prefer to call them) but only solutions. My mentor at the time warned me about this, indicating that I may actually miss the issue altogether. Wise words indeed.

In August, Seth Godin made a similar comment on his blog. He intimated that if we spend more time focusing on a problem rather than being fixated on the solution, issues may be resolved much quicker and with more relevant results. In his words, "The disconnect is caused because people focus on the solution instead of the problem you were given to solve. It's a lot easier to talk about features and hours spent and someone's resume and a lot more difficult to dig into the problem itself."

In the situation I currently find myself in, possibly asking,"If we create an extraction process that continuously produces high yielding enzyme, will you be satisfied?" is better than "I have this extraction technology that will solve your problems"!

Time to make sure that the solutions actually fit the problem as seen by the user and not by the provider of the solution.