10 Big Problems in Business and Life
Quick Fix vs. Root Cause Approach
| Problem | Quick Fix (Superficial Solution) | Root Cause (Sustainable Solution) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cash-Flow Shortage | Take short-term loans, cut staff | Build a recurring revenue model, improve payment terms, reduce fixed costs |
| 2. High Employee Turnover | Raise salaries slightly, hire fast | Improve culture, career paths, leadership quality, work-life balance |
| 3. Low Productivity | Buy new tools, push harder | Streamline processes, remove bureaucracy, align goals with incentives |
| 4. Customer Complaints | Issue refunds, add call center staff | Redesign customer journey, improve product/service quality |
| 5. Burnout & Stress | Take vacations, offer yoga classes | Redesign workload, clarify roles, cultivate purpose & autonomy |
| 6. Innovation Stagnation | Run a brainstorming session | Build a learning culture, allocate R&D budget, reward risk-taking |
| 7. Conflict in Teams | Mediate ad-hoc, reshuffle teams | Build trust, transparent communication, align shared goals |
| 8. Market Share Loss | Launch discounts, aggressive ads | Understand customer needs, innovate offerings, strengthen brand |
| 9. Poor Decision-Making | Hire consultants, buy dashboards | Strengthen critical thinking, clear decision rights, feedback loops |
| 10. Lack of Personal Fulfilment | Buy gadgets, change jobs frequently | Define life vision, align daily actions with values, focus on growth |
Insight
- Quick fixes may calm symptoms but rarely solve the systemic root cause.
- Sustainable success comes from diagnosing patterns, asking “Why does this keep happening?”, and addressing the cause behind the cause.
🔢 10 Problem-Solving Formulas for Business & Life
Formula Format:
👉 Problem = Symptom → Quick Fix (temporary relief) → Root Cause (diagnosis) → Sustainable Action (solution)
1. Cash-Flow Shortage
📉 Cash-Flow Problem = Late Payments + High Fixed Costs → Take Loan (quick fix) → Weak Recurring Revenue Model → Build Subscription Revenue + Improve Terms + Reduce Fixed Costs
2. High Employee Turnover
👥 Turnover Problem = Dissatisfied Staff + Weak Leadership → Raise Salaries (quick fix) → Lack of Growth & Culture → Develop Career Paths + Strengthen Leadership + Build Purpose
3. Low Productivity
⚙️ Productivity Problem = Overload + Bureaucracy → Buy Tools (quick fix) → Broken Processes → Streamline Workflows + Align Incentives + Remove Waste
4. Customer Complaints
📞 Service Problem = Repeated Complaints + Refunds → Add Call Center Staff (quick fix) → Poor Customer Journey → Redesign Touchpoints + Improve Quality
5. Burnout & Stress
🔥 Stress Problem = Overwork + Lack of Clarity → Offer Yoga/Vacation (quick fix) → Workload Misdesign → Clarify Roles + Balance Work + Build Purpose
6. Innovation Stagnation
💡 Innovation Problem = No New Ideas + Risk Aversion → Run Brainstorm (quick fix) → No Learning Culture → Allocate R&D Budget + Reward Experimentation
7. Conflict in Teams
⚔️ Conflict Problem = Misaligned Goals + Low Trust → Mediate/Reshuffle (quick fix) → Lack of Shared Purpose → Build Trust + Transparent Communication + Align Incentives
8. Market Share Loss
📉 Market Problem = Competitor Gains + Price Wars → Offer Discounts (quick fix) → Misfit with Customer Needs → Innovate Offerings + Strengthen Brand
9. Poor Decision-Making
🧠 Decision Problem = Information Overload + Unclear Roles → Hire Consultants (quick fix) → Weak Thinking & Accountability → Strengthen Decision Rights + Feedback Loops
10. Lack of Personal Fulfilment
🌱 Fulfilment Problem = Disconnection + Chasing Gadgets → Change Jobs Often (quick fix) → No Life Vision → Define Core Values + Align Actions with Vision
✅ Each of these formulas is like a ready-to-apply algorithm:
- Input = Symptom
- Step 1 = Recognize Quick Fix trap
- Step 2 = Identify Root Cause
- Output = Sustainable Action