Problem Solvers

High Tech Entreprenuers are problem solvers. I have listened to most episodes in Stanford Entrepreneurial Thought Leadership program, and this definition appeared again and again. Seasoned entrepreneurs see problems as opportunities and adopt systematic strategies to tackle them. Look at most revolutionary ideas, they all attempt to solve a burning problem. Google helps to search/organize huge amount of information on the web, otherwise it is a pain to browse through the directories. RSS pushes the information to the user automatically, otherwise it is a pain to hop from one blog to another. Graphical User Interface presents the information more vividly, otherwise it is a pain to read static dry texts ... The bigger the pain, the more significant the problem, the more attractive the business opportunity. 

Problems could be even seen beyond the consumer level. What are the most urgent world problems today? Poverty, energy depletion, environment, religious conflict, deadly disease ... To name a few. These problems imply vast social and business benefit. Technologists who manage to solve these problems would become the next generation of legends. Internet was an example in the past, it solves the problem of global communication and raises up a new battle ground. However, problems on the Internet landscape are becoming incrementally smaller today. But in other fields, problems are pervasive. E.g., say environment. Environment issue is hot and will become hotter tomorrow. Telsa Motors attemps to solve this problem by rolling out electronic cars. Old solution, new technology, right timing and abundant social attention, bang! Potentially a phenomenal success story. 

To be a problem solver is to promote a way of thinking. Start from the problems, analyze the opportunities, decompose the problems, and tackle the pieces one by one. To be a problem solver implicitly implies to carry more responsibility and tackle the difficulties for others. It is for the consumers; it is for the local ecosystem; it is for the country; and it is even for the world - if you live in the valley. There are plenty of problems in China today, the new generation of Chinese high tech entrepreneurs maybe should inherit from this spiritual root, and assume bigger responsibilities in the money-making mission statement. From a pragmatic perspective, it is "politically right" in China of assuming responsibilities.