Agree on the problem first

Agree on the problem first

In the past few weeks, I’ve been reminded of an important business lesson: always make sure everyone agrees on the problem before you set out to define a solution. When neglected, that simple step can derail a good effort; and if that effort involves other parties who are unfamiliar with your inner workings, you stand a chance of looking clueless. Agreeing on the problem , or even that there IS a problem, is one of the main points that creep up in building/strengthening African industries. Individual perspectives and experiences have everything to do with business and without understanding them you can lose a lot of time AND money. Luckily I’ve been reminded of this fact without losing either. So make a note to yourself too.