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 βWhy does this keep happening?β, and addressing the cause behind the cause.
π’ 10 Problem-Solving Formulas for Business & Life
Formula Format:
π Problem = Symptom β Quick Fix (temporary relief) β Root Cause (diagnosis) β Sustainable Action (solution)
1. Cash-Flow Shortage
π Cash-Flow Problem = Late Payments + High Fixed Costs β Take Loan (quick fix) β Weak Recurring Revenue Model β Build Subscription Revenue + Improve Terms + Reduce Fixed Costs
2. High Employee Turnover
π₯ Turnover Problem = Dissatisfied Staff + Weak Leadership β Raise Salaries (quick fix) β Lack of Growth & Culture β Develop Career Paths + Strengthen Leadership + Build Purpose
3. Low Productivity
βοΈ Productivity Problem = Overload + Bureaucracy β Buy Tools (quick fix) β Broken Processes β Streamline Workflows + Align Incentives + Remove Waste
4. Customer Complaints
π Service Problem = Repeated Complaints + Refunds β Add Call Center Staff (quick fix) β Poor Customer Journey β Redesign Touchpoints + Improve Quality
5. Burnout & Stress
π₯ Stress Problem = Overwork + Lack of Clarity β Offer Yoga/Vacation (quick fix) β Workload Misdesign β Clarify Roles + Balance Work + Build Purpose
6. Innovation Stagnation
π‘ Innovation Problem = No New Ideas + Risk Aversion β Run Brainstorm (quick fix) β No Learning Culture β Allocate R&D Budget + Reward Experimentation
7. Conflict in Teams
βοΈ Conflict Problem = Misaligned Goals + Low Trust β Mediate/Reshuffle (quick fix) β Lack of Shared Purpose β Build Trust + Transparent Communication + Align Incentives
8. Market Share Loss
π Market Problem = Competitor Gains + Price Wars β Offer Discounts (quick fix) β Misfit with Customer Needs β Innovate Offerings + Strengthen Brand
9. Poor Decision-Making
π§ Decision Problem = Information Overload + Unclear Roles β Hire Consultants (quick fix) β Weak Thinking & Accountability β Strengthen Decision Rights + Feedback Loops
10. Lack of Personal Fulfilment
π± Fulfilment Problem = Disconnection + Chasing Gadgets β Change Jobs Often (quick fix) β No Life Vision β Define Core Values + Align Actions with Vision
β 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