As I reflect on my journey as a founder, I can’t help but think about the role technology has played. When I started, I was enamored with the latest tools and platforms, always eager to adopt new tech trends hoping they’d give us an edge. I realized early that my fixation on individual technology was actually holding us back from our true purpose.
In the early days, I was constantly chasing the latest shiny object in the tech world (ok, maybe I still do this a little). I believed mastering the newest software or platforms would solve all our problems. I invested countless hours into researching and implementing new tools, often without considering whether they fit our needs. They were simply “new” and that was enough.
Looking back, this technology-driven approach was misguided; not wrong per se, but incomplete. While tools were important, they weren’t the be-all and end-all. By focusing heavily on technology itself, I was losing sight of the real problem we were trying to solve. After all, technology was here to solve problems, not simply shift them from one point to another.
A turning point came when I encountered Simon Sinek’s concept of starting with “Why.” The idea that successful companies have a clear sense of purpose beyond profit was surprisingly novel for me.
I realized I’d been approaching things backwards – instead of starting with technology and trying to fit it to our needs, I needed to start with our “Why” and let that guide our decisions. We needed to clearly articulate the problem we were solving and the value we wanted to create.
We shifted from being technology-driven to solution-oriented. Instead of chasing tools, we focused on understanding our audience’s needs and challenges. We spent time listening to customers, gathering feedback, and identifying key pain points. Yes, technology remained part of the conversation, but solving problems came first.
From there, we worked backwards to identify the right tools and strategies. We embraced a learning mindset, experimenting with different approaches and iterating based on results. We collaborated with partners who brought diverse perspectives, recognizing that solving complex problems requires a multidisciplinary approach.
The results have been remarkable. By starting with “Why” and focusing on solutions rather than tools, we created products that truly resonated with customers. We streamlined operations and drove better outcomes.
Most importantly, this approach has helped us build broad knowledge. Other companies often pounce on new ideas and run them into the ground, not understanding the separation between tool and outcome. This clarity has served us well through tough challenges and will remain a company pillar.
When I tell people incredible stories about our clients, I’m enthusiastic about the process, insights, and outcomes. I have no recollection of ever mentioning a single line of code. It is absolutely irrelevant.
