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I dislike the idea of the startup for "solving a problem". Problems are very specific, personal and not so broad as other options. In fact: 1. Not everyone ha

I dislike the idea of the startup for "solving a problem". Problems are very specific, personal and not so broad as other options. In fact: 1. Not everyone has a problem. 2. Not everyone is aware is having a problem. 3. People bear problems. Even the worst ones (ex. health). So, why build your startup around a problem. Why don't you better build it around a "need". A need would be much stronger usage driver than problems.

xmprt 7y ago
A problem is tangible and can have a solution. A "need" isn't something that can easily be put in words unless it's "I need this problem to be solved."
randomsearch 7y ago
One of the biggest mistakes nerds make is to build a project, not a business. Business have to create value. Most businesses do that by solving problems. The difficulty with going for a "need" that is not "I need to solve this problem" is that you have to convince people that they have the need, and that your product best satisfies it. General needs (Maslow hierarchy etc.) tend to be vague and served by many different product types. Sure, there are exceptions, but most businesses solve problems and if you're not explicitly doing that then you're either taking a more difficult road, or you're not building a business.
- meerita 7y ago
  Exactly. Slack people created a new communicational need. There were email, forums, etc. Even chats, but they created a good product that enhanced the need to have better chat system to work better. They weren't solving any major problem. That is my point.
inapis 7y ago
I think this is just words getting interpreted differently. We just can't have strict definitions of words when it comes to contemporary conversations especially when we have to allow for ambiguity and benefit of doubt because everyone's vocabulary varies. Only scientific, technical, legal etc texts (specifically where non-ambiguity is demanded) need a strict definition. I'm building an alternative for Pocket/Instapaper because I find the current tools sorely lacking. No one needs it but it solves a legitimate problem in my life and hopefully those of others. Expanding onwards, no one "needs" a mobile phone, television, reddit or even HN itself but these solve legitimate problems in life. By the strictest definition, no one "needs" anything more than clean air, water, food and shelter. So needs can be approximated to problems for the sake of conversation around startups, ideas, business etc.
codingdave 7y ago
1. OK, They are not your target customer. 2. OK, They are not your target customer. 3. They bear problems when there are no solutions. So give them a solution.
vikramkr 7y ago
People need lots of things that they won't buy because they don't care. People need to eat healthier and exercise to avoid diabetes and stuff. But people don't. And asking what people need is a loaded question as well, since people don't "need" anything. You might need things to live (you classic food water shelter), but some people might not want to live - think physician assisted euthanasia. Ans as to points 1 and 2, those people are not your target customer.

xmprt 7y ago

A problem is tangible and can have a solution. A "need" isn't something that can easily be put in words unless it's "I need this problem to be solved."

randomsearch 7y ago

One of the biggest mistakes nerds make is to build a project, not a business. Business have to create value. Most businesses do that by solving problems. The difficulty with going for a "need" that is not "I need to solve this problem" is that you have to convince people that they have the need, and that your product best satisfies it. General needs (Maslow hierarchy etc.) tend to be vague and served by many different product types. Sure, there are exceptions, but most businesses solve problems and if you're not explicitly doing that then you're either taking a more difficult road, or you're not building a business.

meerita 7y ago
Exactly. Slack people created a new communicational need. There were email, forums, etc. Even chats, but they created a good product that enhanced the need to have better chat system to work better. They weren't solving any major problem. That is my point.

inapis 7y ago

I think this is just words getting interpreted differently. We just can't have strict definitions of words when it comes to contemporary conversations especially when we have to allow for ambiguity and benefit of doubt because everyone's vocabulary varies. Only scientific, technical, legal etc texts (specifically where non-ambiguity is demanded) need a strict definition. I'm building an alternative for Pocket/Instapaper because I find the current tools sorely lacking. No one needs it but it solves a legitimate problem in my life and hopefully those of others. Expanding onwards, no one "needs" a mobile phone, television, reddit or even HN itself but these solve legitimate problems in life. By the strictest definition, no one "needs" anything more than clean air, water, food and shelter. So needs can be approximated to problems for the sake of conversation around startups, ideas, business etc.

codingdave 7y ago

1. OK, They are not your target customer. 2. OK, They are not your target customer. 3. They bear problems when there are no solutions. So give them a solution.

vikramkr 7y ago

People need lots of things that they won't buy because they don't care. People need to eat healthier and exercise to avoid diabetes and stuff. But people don't. And asking what people need is a loaded question as well, since people don't "need" anything. You might need things to live (you classic food water shelter), but some people might not want to live - think physician assisted euthanasia. Ans as to points 1 and 2, those people are not your target customer.