Part 1: Why Solving the Right Problems Matters More Than You Think
Years ago—back when smartphones were still a novelty—I had one of those early “IT magic” moments. I showed a client how to use an app to quickly scan their receipts and upload them straight to the cloud. They were thrilled. “This is so cool—I never knew I could do that!”
A few weeks later, I dropped by their office. The same pile of receipts had found its way back onto their desk. That was the first time it hit me: just because a solution feels magical in the moment doesn’t mean it will truly solve the problem.
💡 Lesson I Learned Early: It takes more than great technology (or even good advice) to create change that lasts.
The Deeper Need: Why Advice—and Apps—Aren’t Enough
Over time, I realized clients weren’t just looking for another app or another quick fix. What most people were really craving—whether in technology, sales, or any part of the business—was someone who could help them pause, step back, and see their world with fresh eyes.
Tech alone is rarely enough. Guidance is helpful. But sometimes what teams really need is a partner to help them visualize their business, map out the gaps, and figure out what truly moves the needle.
📌 Important Note: Deep, lasting progress happens when you have someone who asks the right questions and sees the bigger picture—not just a vendor with technical answers.
That’s when we made a shift in how we worked: We partnered with a business process specialist—someone who could sit down with our clients and help unpack every nuance of their workflow. Instead of asking, “What tool do you need?” the question became, “Where are you really feeling the friction? What’s not serving you anymore?”
With a clear map, technology suddenly had a purpose—and the solutions we put in place weren’t just magical, they stuck.
Alignment Over Advice: Partner for the Full Picture
So, what does this look like on the ground? It’s about building relationships with advisors and partners who understand how your business actually runs—not just what’s “best in class” on paper.
🎯 Actionable Tip: The right partner helps you clarify your workflow, uncover hidden bottlenecks, and align solutions to real-world needs. That’s true for IT, but also for sales, onboarding, and every other corner of your company.
Our Example: When we worked with our process-mapping expert, we discovered that—even in our own company—some of the friction wasn’t about missing tools at all. Sometimes, it was about too many steps, unclear roles, or just old habits that needed updating. The clarity we gained drove more value than any new app ever could.
Realistic Goals, Real Wins: The Beauty in Simplicity
Here’s the danger: When leaders see a new tool (or strategy, or process), the instinct is often to overhaul everything. “Let’s rebuild our whole onboarding journey. Let’s fix all our sales issues at once!”
We’ve tried that. We once built the most comprehensive client onboarding process imaginable—every step, every possible touchpoint. Instead of delighting clients, we overwhelmed them. We overwhelmed our own team, too.
That’s when I learned to appreciate the beauty in simplicity.
✅ Best Practice: Pick one place. Start small. Pilot a new process with a single client, or adjust just one phase of your onboarding. Focus on clear, achievable milestones—bite-sized wins build confidence and momentum.
The businesses that move forward are the ones that value progress over perfection, and who resist the urge to fix what isn’t really broken.
Progress Is Your Friend. Perfection Is the Foe.
This mindset has become my baseline—both for our team and for how we guide clients. It’s not about chasing ideal scenarios or getting every detail right from day one. It’s about choosing what matters most and moving the needle, piece by piece.
To Be Continued…
Next week, we’ll get specific: – How do you know which problems are actually worth solving? – How do you spot when it’s time to stop—before wasting time, energy, or resources? – And how do you map out a path from where you are to where you want to go?
If you’re curious, I’ll even share our step-by-step mapping method—the one that’s helped countless businesses (and our own company) get unstuck and moving forward.
👉 Next Step: What’s one part of your business—whether it’s tech, onboarding, or sales—that would make the biggest impact if improved?
If you’re ready to get unstuck, let’s map it together. We’ll lay out where you are, where you want to go, and every milestone along the way. Just reach out—I’m here to help.
