Hey there. I’m glad you decided to check this article out. I promise you that you’ll be glad you did.
Let me tell you the story of how I discovered this amazing technique.
I entered the venture capital backed high-technology industry a loooong time ago. Long before the pervasive use of personal computers let alone the internet and ‘dot.com’ debacle. I was directly involved in a lot of start-ups and experienced some real winners and some horrible losers.
THAT’S how I learned the lesson I’m about to teach you.
Ultimately I earned a superior reputation within the venture capital investment community. My job was to enter an existing start-up in an executive role, assess the technology and market and determine what needed to be done to make the company a winner for investors.
With the technique I’m going to share with you right now, I could enter almost any company and within 30 days determine exactly what needed to happen in order for that company to be wildly successful.
From the outside it must have looked like I was a magician or a wizard. But really it is profoundly simple.
The truth is that the vast majority of these companies made the same mistake and when you hear it, you will immediately know whether or not you are on track to success in your business or not.
Here it is….
They built a solution that was looking for a problem!
This is what I mean.
The vast majority of these companies had been formed around some kind of really cool technology. They usually had one or more really bright founders who had developed some brilliant break- through. But they often never even asked if anyone cared enough about what they built to buy it.
Did anyone have a problem that this really cool technology would address?
Was anyone willing to spend $x (money) to address the problem?
Believe it or not, often times the answer was no.
Can you imagine that? Some bright people invested their time, some money of their own and probably some borrowed funds to building something that solved a problem nobody (or very few) was willing to pay money to solve.
So here is the trick to fixing this:
Instead of investing my time in the coolness of it all, I asked a lot of questions about the problems it was addressing.
But I didn’t ask the founders and engineers. No way! I already knew what they thought.
Instead, I asked the market….the would be customers and potential strategic partners.
Yep, that’s it. That is my simple ‘magic’ formula.
If you want to know something, ASK!
- Ask prospective customers what problem they care about solving.
- Ask them how much they care about solving it.
- Ask them what they would pay to have you help them solve it.
- Ask them what they are going to need from you to know whether or not your product provides them what they want or need to help them solve it.
- Ask them how they will go about making the decision to invest in a product to help them solve this problem.
–
Do you realize that with the answers to these 5 questions you can pretty much guarantee your product;s success?
Look at what you’ll know, just by answering these 5 simple questions:
- You’ll know that there is a problem that needs solving.
- You’ll know that there is a market of prospective customers for the (your) right solution.
- You’ll know how big that market is; that it is sufficient for you to make the money you need to profit.
- You’ll know how hard or how easy it will be to engage these prospects and have them make a buying decision..
- You’ll know exactly HOW to engage those prospects to help them make a buying decision and purchase your product.
- You’ll know how much your prospective customers are willing to pay for your product.
- You’ll know what you will have to do to prove your product value to them.
- and more…..
–
I’m sure you get the idea.
The simple truth is that these companies were struggling because they invested in building something cool, but never asked anyone if they wanted what it did.
They built a solution that was looking for a problem.
As you consider your business or business concept, do you know the answer to these 5 questions?
Or
Do you have a solution looking for a problem?
Think about it.
If you do that’s ok.
It happens more often then not.
Just master the technique I just shared with you and figure out a way to alter or reposition your product in the market to help people solve a problem they DO want solved.
I mastered this technique and it produced over $1 billion in sales revenue, delivered several hundred million in returns for investors and earned me tens of millions of dollars.
Take a look at what you’re doing right now, consider what I’ve shared with you here in this article and, in the comment section below, tell me how you might be able to better align your product with the wants or needs of your prospective customers.
What can you do differently to accelerate your success?
I’m standing for all that’s possible for you in life and business.
Sincerely,
Steve
PS – By now you’ve heard about ThePerfectBizFinder Program and how I created it for the expressed purpose of helping you find and create a business that truly delivers exactly the lifestyle and financial rewards you want.
Don’t make any excuses about why you can’t do it…or why ThePerfectBizFinder Program won’t work for you. Go for your dream! Buy it now!
P.P.S. ThePerfectBizFinder Program is one-of-a-kind. It is the culmination of over 40 years of personal success experience and is a unique opportunity for you to be taught my proven success secrets; methods that have turned ordinary people into wildly successful business owners and millionaires. Don’t miss out!
Pretty simple but profound thought process. How do we go about asking and obtaining credible answers at an up front affordable cost? We are involved in agricultural technology products (sales of, not production) as well as being heavily involved in production agriculture ourselves. It has been my experience so far most of my fellow farmers want but won’t spend or don’t actually know what they want. We are a skeptical group as a whole. Our firm holds informational seminars that are tilted more toward education than sales but this is not turning out results as fast as we would like although it does seem to be leading to a quality group of clients.
I suppose some products and services can be altered or repositioned (or the benefits repackaged) to match a (different?) market … and that the alteration of other products and services would have to be so substantial that the original is virtually scrapped. I also suppose that some products and services sell better depending on the times, notably bull or bear market. Or that others fit in with a stage in the evolution of technology. How does one alter or reposition the eight track tape or the floppy disk or carburetor or LP records in light of their obsolescence? Of course, this raises a question of creativity. Your five questions, Steve, are thus worthy benchmarks in my opinion.
Hi Steve I would love to join in with you and be successful, but I do not have a credit card only a debit card and PAYPAL and you do not have either facility for me to join you. Have you considered this? you must be missing a lot of business
Steve,Ive owned my own welding co for 33 years,,and with the ecomomy today,theres not alot of manufacturing left in the usa! Between You and Tellman, You 2 are the greatest,, as im putting up a brand new welding shop.on my property, im looking to get into a internet buisness, How do i get to talk,email you as i have a bunch of questions,But no product,, Thanks,Jack
Hi Steve … thanks very much for sharing so much about you personally and professonally. I also appreciate that you are not using professional content writers who only use hard core hypnotic languaging to sell your product.
I have done your survey and definitely with no surprise to me a lifestyle guru. I am sure that you know that GURU really means gee you are you.
I reside in Canada. Recently moved to a smaller community where my daughter and my newborn grandson live.
Currently I am in the midst of developing a business plan. Working toward being able to provide my valuable professional achievement coaching one on one as well do the workshops, sell ebooks on-line.
Fifteen years ago I created and wrote the content for a documentary called OWNING the ZONE. Two years ago we shot the pilot. I have major broadcasters and elite athletes interested but need to secure more financing. The pilot was shot by professionals and it awesome – very professional – total investment 10,000.00. This was done in trust their will be an investor and broadcaster to license such. I also have a game that goes along with this that can be developed in to a gaming video.
All this to say I am very creative but really need a stronger sense of business.
Now living in a much smaller center because my # 1 value is family I want a way to do what I did when living in larger cities so I realize the need to deliver my content workshops through webinars as well as have a vehicle to deliver my e-book through my web site which is almost ready to be published.
What I need and want to know is will your program provide me with the assistance in making sure I stay congruent with my passion while making a well deserved income for providing value that many would deem very valuable?
Thanks again for your sharing … from what I can see when reading the comments you will have a great income from the purchase of this – you deserve it.
Enjoy you evening .
In richness
Colli
Thanks. My theory is a solution for these times — broke, frustrated, and WANTING! (If yu are willing to work).I am currently building a website that helps people to sew their own garments for a fraction of the cost of buying them. That’s what I mean when I say that if you are willing to work, I have the solution to your problem. If you have a sewing problem, I will take you step by step through the process to the finished garment to the finished product (through the web). This is more economical than for people to go out and buy this same item, solves the wanting problem and fixes the frustration if you aren’t afraid to help for help!Thank you
Hi Steve,Great article! So how does one go about asking these 5 questions in the most inexpensive and expedient way?Also, I have requested to buy your program via PayPal in previous email. Please add Paypal as one of the options to pay for your program.Thank you so much,Mary
I hope to read more articles from you as I find them very informative and it helps to have the right mindset before jumping into the great possibilities of business on the internet. Thanks Des
thanks for the wisdom, guidance and advice.
its great.
Excuse me when do you have $100 mILLion, will you give me the way how to get money with easy not too hard.
Thank you for shearing with me your $100 million secret. It’s amazing how it is, the simple things that people look past that can help them.
I have had over 50 years in the welldrilling business, along with that my wife have been in nutrituion since 1986 but no one wants to listen until its to late. I am 78 take no medicine dosent that mean anything? I would like to help people but I need to make money. Are $1000. per month not enough.I need you to tell me what to do. With your help I think could be succesful at most anything. Oliver Amesbury
I understand the concept quite well. Not surprisingly there are others out there offering the same counsel. After all, it is much easier to sell something to solve a recognized problem than to manufacture a problem as well as a solution!However, I would like to know how to turn the category of ‘potential customers’ and ‘potential strategic partners’ into real live people who will give you real live responses! Especially when the researcher (me) has an anti- ‘cold call’ complex!
Dear Steve Little, I want to have a six-digit income. Thank you for sharing with me your success secrets. I got one idea which I think will help me sell my paintings. I should be sensitive to my potential patrons (in the art circle, we call our clients or customers art patrons), yes, to my potential patrons’ willingness to part with their money, that is, how much they can shell out and how much they can afford. I got this idea from one of the five questions you said should be answered should we want to make it big in business. I do not have a credit card at the moment since I believe it is cheaper to pay in cash. But should I finally have a credit card, I would sign up for your program, that is, a credit card acceptable to you. I am a Filipino, yes, a citizen of a Third World country, namely, the Philippines. You know your stuff. I do hope to get more emails from you. I know I can profit or benefit much just by interacting with you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you again and again thank you. I remain, (Miss) MIGEN L. OSORIO
Hi Steve I have tried to contact you before because I do not have a card that you require foe payment, but I can pay thro PAPAL if only you would allow it, my request is I have been offered a fantastic range of Ladies Hand made Hand bags, but I only want to sell them on the internetm, my question is can you help pleaseBarrie
Hi Barrie – I’m very sorry. I am absolutely certain the program will help you. Unfortunately, our system does not support Paypal purchases. Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for preaching what you teach: the value principle. By consistently sharing these valuable secrets you make our learning process more affective as we are more disposed to believing your offerings. And yes, I have done you test and not surprisingly, I belong to the lifestyle guru group. Thanks you for sharing your nuggets of marketing wisdom; I am now reinforced in my knowledge that the customer’s needs and perspective should always guide product design presentation and pricing.
Thanks again,
Yomi,
Nigeria,
ME PARECIO SUPER INTERESANTE EL ARTICULO. ESAS PREGUNTAS, REALMENTE CREO QUE SON LA BASE DE TODO POSIBLE PROYECTO. GRACIAS POR COMPARTIRLO. LAURA
De nada! Gracias por tu comentario – Steve
Hi Steve, I think this information is fantastic. I will be implementing those 5 questions in presenting the service which I offer to customers. Not that I haven’t heard something simular to that, but this seems to be much easier to ask, because truly all the focus is on the customer not why I think they should get it, but its all about solving a problem which they say they want solved.
It’s interesting your set of 5 questions.
I think the answer is in sight but only a few can see it.thanks Steve
Well if people follow through with those 5 questions then it is a winner. How do I join if you are willing to help me form a business I will signup.
Steve,Great article.I do similar work but it is really hard to get this simple concept through the heads of folks who think they know it all sometimes. Communication is the key (kind of like “the emperor has no clothes”)Fred
What Steve writes about is perfect common sense. You don’t want to come up with a cure for some unknown malady.I have not come up with such a cure so far, but I suppose creative enthusiasm can blind people to practical issues.Shows you the importance of doing your homework first.
I like to see how many things I do that Steve talks about, I want to learn new things.
Thank’s Steve. I haven’t heard these 5 questions from anyone else, but I did have this same concept “click” for me a while back. It’s strange: I often come to conclusions on my own; and then not long thereafter I hear other people confirm it. You’re the 2ond mentor who has confirmed this concept for me this year. The other was Steven Covey (7 habbits of….) “Begin with the end in mind”. It’s amazing how a man’s emotions can fool him doing things backwards. I’m looking forward to making millions now that I see the light
Thank you Steve! This information was very informative and helpful. I have always had a strong desire to help people live healthy. I took your test and results show my strengths are in Counciling, Medical, and Sales. I have found the most Amazing product. I have a miracle testamony with this product; and I am only one of many.I sincerely believe that everyone from infant to 90+ would benefit from taking this product. Unfortunately, I lack the experience and knowledge in marketing that I need to successfully promote my product. I wish that I was financially able to get into a personal mentoring and coaching program, but I’m not at this time.
Hey Friends,Please connect me by any means.Mentor, Teach, Educate me to the fullest extent of the law.I promise you that you won’t regret this at all.All right ?Thank you very much !
I think that your 5 questions are very important to a business. But I don’t really know how to place them in mines, as of yet I’ve just started a mail order business. I’m waiting for my responses which can take sometime to generate. I believe that I first have to apply it to me to see how I fit the deal. Which seems a bit uncomfotable but bearable if you know what I mean. Finding my value and understanding what It means to me. This is what the questions lead me into questioning me about. Thanks for the learning curve
Great truths Steve. As a Jay Abraham protege I was taught this simple process and have helped many clients ask these questions in their own businesses. This really is an Accelerator for Success!
I spoke with Kimberly last week about (exactly that) the Accelerator for Success website which solves the problem of… Clarity, Confidence & Focus. It is a great resource for Entrepreneurs.
I’d look forward to talking soon about creating new possibility for the Marketplace.
All the Best,
Bill Covert
I typed quite a long reply here, which would have interested all readers as it was something that I’ve had success with for about 12 years, but I absolutely could not read one of the letters in the two words required to be typed before submitting my comments – one I couldn’t decipher was between a 1 and an I. I guessed & was wrong, & lost the whole thing. I re-wrote my reply, to not be able to decipher another letter in the two words required, guessed again, & lost the whole thing again.
I have to go to work now, & have no more time, but please consider how impossible some of the lettering is in the ReCaptcha box below? Thankyou, Liz
Hi Steve.
Many thanks for your last report of the million secret, in answer to the five questions, I have also asked other questions, such as does it improve upon contemporary products or methods. (yes) Is the potential in excess of 250.000 units. (yes) Is it novel? Is it needed? Can it be mass-produced? (yes) Has it female appeal? (yes) Is it labour saving, functional useful, protective? (yes) Is it profitable to make? Is it time saving? (yes) Has it prestige value? Is it money saving? (yes) Is it easy to use? Is it simple to make? (yes) Is it easy to distribute? Do they have export possibilities? (yes) Has they got various applications? (YES)
As I have said over 40 ideas are on the increase every month, in fact as Donald Trump is building a new Golf course in Scotland, I sent him 4 new ideas +1 Golf ball dispenser. +2 Golf hole identifier. +3 Biodegradable golf tee. +4 Fairway and greens illumination. These are just a few of some other ideas that can be more specific.
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More ideas.
1……Highway information Laser Beams.
2……Guard rail in polyethylene medium density pipe extrusion.
3…..New products for licensing reflective road markers with new novel applications.
4…..Self cleaning reflectors.
5…..Anti theft vehicle device.
6…..Reflective vehicle information display discs.
7…..Improved bollards for road works.
8…..Improved barriers for skip and obstructions.
9…..Excavation covers (TENBOLCON) a combination of a tent bollard and a cone.
10….A vehicle sand dispenser for adverse weather conditions.
11….Solar powered switches that activate inside the car of danger these are situated at the road side in every kind of structure.
12….Brake lights.
13….Colour gear changing lights.
14….Independent indicator switch.
15….Fibre optics information to relay and assist with the problems of drivers not being able to see what is going on ahead of them.
This is just a few ideas to get them to use their thinking gear, and to find other super ideas with potential to reduce accidents and the carnage, as out there we should be able to come up with hundreds of solutions that can bring about a safer driving environment for all road users.
Yours truly and safely Malcolm Manby 18 February 2010.
Steve: I like you solution to a companies problem. It gets right at the core issue.
Which is? Do you have what the consumer wants and needs to solve a problem of theirs. In other words find a need first determine how best to fill that need and set out to do just that! You went to the consumer and asked them, to get your answer.
Neat!
Paul
Hi Steve – Great !! This article rocks. Now my question is: With those five questions mentioned, do you recommend them to start even if you do not have the slightest idea of what you want to do? That is my greatest dilemma, finding that business for me. Thank you, you are areal contribution to world´s society.
Hi Steve,
I noticed through reading some of the posts here that you don’t support Paypal. I can’t help but think isn’t that a problem that needs solving!!
I really like your stuff and I love your sign off line ‘I’m standing for all that’s possible for you in life and business.’
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely
Tom
Hi its great what you say.I work in retail and its all about meeting custmers needs.
Finding out what there are is the secret.Well I gues its a little like the Law of attraction too (:
Tony
Hi Steve I have tried exactly what you have said asking my customers about our business. Our customers responded favorably to our business and for us being close at hand. So in away I have done a little bit of what you are saying. I also thank you for bringing your information to us, every bit helps along our journey.
Thank You
Shirley
Thanks Steve
This is amazingly simple and great way to create a successful business.
Thank you
Jorge
I have an idea for s sport. It would cause the sport to be played ten fold more than it is right now. You would be able to play this sport anywhere. People wouldn’t play this over billiards. This country is full of lazy people and billiards is a lazy game. People need to play more sports that give them exercise. If people played tennis and badmiton and quit sitting on their ass they wouldn’t be so fat and lazy.
Instead they get fat and then buy exercise equipment they use for a couple weeks and then it sits in the garage.
Hey Steve,
I just got done reading your article about the 100 million dollar secret. That is a great secret that needs to be advertised to others around. You are definitely in line with creating value for others. I am very grateful for your insight and the opportunity to read your articles.
Thanks,
Justin Dickamore
Thanks, ASK is a powerful word.
Affective I am paying for a website ” ourwordsmatter.ca ” That’s as far as I
Simple have gone. I see a problem ” intimacy vaccum “. I like to create
Kindness word pictures. What product to produce to meet this need?
C.T.
Hi…
I saw this really great post today….