In the world of problem-solving, innovation, and startups, there’s a common notion that a 50% solution just isn’t good enough. But ask someone facing a life-or-death situation, like pancreatic cancer, if they’d want a 50% solution, and the answer would likely be an enthusiastic yes. This analogy points to the real value of creating solutions that provide immediate, albeit partial, relief—especially in business.
The Value of Partial Solutions
When facing a pressing, painful problem, people generally don’t care if the solution is only halfway there. They want immediate relief, something to mitigate their issue today rather than waiting years for an ideal, but elusive, solution. For someone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, even a 50% improvement could mean extended time, better quality of life, or more peace of mind. So why, when it comes to business, do we shy away from launching a minimally viable product (MVP) or an imperfect solution?
Many entrepreneurs hesitate to bring an MVP—a simpler, partial solution—to market because they believe it needs to be “perfect” or close to complete before it’s worthy of their customers. They resist releasing a product that might only solve half of the customer’s problem, fearing it won’t sell or will receive negative feedback. But what they fail to see is that often, those customers are desperate for any meaningful relief, no matter how partial it might be.
Why Waiting for Perfection Wastes Time and Money
Instead of embracing the MVP mindset, too many entrepreneurs waste time, energy, and resources on crafting a fully comprehensive solution. They keep building and refining, convinced that they’re getting closer to the “right” product. But in reality, they’re often moving further away from what their market truly needs because they haven’t engaged with their customers soon enough. The assumptions driving their development are just that—assumptions. Without customer feedback, they’re building blindfolded.
Take the medical analogy further: what if a doctor kept researching and testing, hoping for the perfect cure while a patient with pancreatic cancer waited in pain? That delay could cost the patient their life. In business, this lag can have similar consequences. Markets change, customer needs shift, and competitors race to fill the void. By the time an entrepreneur perfects their product, the problem might have changed or, worse, a competitor may have stepped in with a simpler solution that meets enough of the need to win the customer’s loyalty.
Find Your “Pancreatic Cancer” Problem
The key to creating a valuable MVP is finding a market that has a “pancreatic cancer” problem—a critical pain point that demands a solution immediately, even if it’s partial. Look for customers who are experiencing pain or frustration so great that they’ll take any meaningful relief, even if it’s not a complete cure. Once you’ve found this market, you’ll know that a 50% solution is not only acceptable but might be all they need to get started.
For instance, a business dealing with high employee turnover might desperately need a tool to streamline onboarding and improve retention. While an all-encompassing HR solution with modules for payroll, scheduling, and performance reviews could take years to develop, a simple onboarding tool could alleviate their primary pain point now. This MVP would bring immediate relief, and with feedback, you can later expand it to cover other HR areas as your understanding of the market’s needs deepens.
Build with Your Customers
Launching an MVP isn’t the end of the journey; it’s the start. As you put your initial solution into the hands of customers, take their feedback seriously. This feedback will guide you in refining and expanding your product in ways that actually meet your market’s needs. Customers who are already experiencing the benefits of your 50% solution will be more likely to provide valuable insights and remain loyal as you improve.
By working with your customers, you’re not only building a product; you’re building a relationship and a reputation as a company that understands and prioritizes real needs. This approach transforms your MVP into a solution that’s not only market-ready but also customer-approved.
Start Simple, Aim for Real Impact
In a world that often prizes complexity and perfection, remember that the greatest value lies in addressing real problems right now. Don’t be afraid to put a 50% solution into the hands of your customers if it provides meaningful relief. Your business will grow not by chasing an unattainable ideal but by solving urgent needs one step at a time, with an MVP that does what your customers need most. As they say in the medical world, “A partial cure is better than no cure at all.” The same holds true in business. Start by solving real problems, however imperfectly, and you’ll find that a 50% solution is often more valuable than you ever imagined.
Additional Resources
For more on this topic, we suggest reading Prospects Have Their Own Language.
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MEET helps international B2B & B2G companies gain traction and scale in the U.S. through trade shows, events, and strategic connections. Contact Bill Kenney for a no-obligation conversation: bill@meetroi.com or +1 (860) 573-4821.
