Every organization faces challenges. If I asked you right now what problem your company is tackling, you’d probably have an answer ready. After all, you see the issue daily, hear complaints about it, and may even have teams dedicated to fixing it.
But what if the problem you’re addressing isn’t the real problem at all?
Research shows that 85% of leadership teams misidentify the root cause of their challenges, leading to wasted resources and ineffective solutions. Instead of solving core issues, businesses often treat symptoms—creating a cycle where the same frustrations resurface in different forms.
Why Does This Happen?
Organizations get trapped in reaction mode. When a challenge emerges, the instinct is to act fast. But without a structured approach to diagnosing the issue, you might be applying band-aid fixes instead of addressing systemic flaws.
Consider this: Harvard Business Review found that 72% of strategic initiatives fail—not because of poor execution, but because they were solving the wrong problem.
How Do You Find the Real Problem?
At Saulsberry Group, we specialize in strategic transformation, and the first step in any transformation is defining the actual problem. To do this, we use a three-step approach:
-
- Clarify the Problem Statement – A well-crafted problem statement clearly defines who is affected, what needs aren’t being met, and why the issue exists. Without this clarity, your solutions risk missing the mark.
-
- Dig Deeper with Data – We analyze 18 critical data points to uncover the true cause of your organization’s challenges. These factors range from operational inefficiencies to leadership alignment and market trends.
-
- Test Assumptions & Validate Causes – Before jumping to solutions, we stress-test problem definitions against real-world scenarios to ensure they hold up under scrutiny.
The Cost of Misdiagnosing a Problem
🔹 $1.8 trillion is lost globally every year due to poor business decision-making, often because leaders don’t have a clear grasp of the real issue.
🔹 Companies that correctly diagnose problems and align strategy accordingly see a 30% increase in long-term success rates.
Let’s Solve the Right Problem—Together
If your business is facing persistent challenges, it’s time to stop guessing and start diagnosing. Our Business Healthcheck pinpoints the core issues holding your organization back, so your transformation efforts actually drive lasting change.
Furthermore, our Design Thinking Sessions help you identify the root cause of your problems, positioning you to Innovate and Strategize beyond your problem so that you can Transform your organization.
✅ Ready to move forward? Schedule your consultation today: Saulsberry Group Appointments.
📌 Learn more about how we help businesses thrive: What We Do.
Let’s make sure you’re solving the right problem—so your business can achieve real, measurable success.
