Reversing Your Worst Problem There are very few companies without seemingly unsolvable problems. Those problems usually have significant financial correlations that, at times, may almost strangle the company. Because of their difficulty, such problems often become an "elephant in the parlor" that management doesn't want to talk about, let alone solve. The reason the problems are not solved is often because of corporate myopia. The habits and culture of the company are just too narrow, too inbred, and too close to what burdens it. Management lacks the ability to put concepts and elements together that will solve the issue. The solution is not a matter of hard work. Rather, the unsolvable problem is the result of limiting personalities, politics, corporate structure, as well as chain of authority and with it, restricted communication. Chances are - - that if such a problem exists - - it is not isolated in just one company, but rather is found to be an industry-wide problem. Whoever can solve the problem can gain critical advantage and take leadership in the marketplace. The solution usually comes from having a higher perspective. Looking at it from different angles and the viewpoint of outside industries is often where pay-dirt is achieved. Usually one or more key elements to the problem have been overlooked. The ability to connect, from above, the dots between all (not some) of the key elements is what an outside partner can do. More often than not, this ability to innovate comes from the willing desire to liberate end users from a compromise the industry has forced upon its patrons. The compromise has become so fundamental to the way the industry exacts its profits, that its existence is taken for granted and not even seen. Any time such a compromise is solved, business gushes to the new leader. Thus one company's distress can become its very opportunity. It has been said, that "everything in business is either solving a problem someone has, or fulfilling an opportunity that they wanted to accomplish but has never been able to (or never even realized they wanted to), verbalizing it, and then transacting it for them". A joint-venture partner, by virtue of different experience and perspective, is often the innovator that capitalizes on your underutilized, overlooked, undervalued, underperforming assets, opportunities, and the latent, dormant creativity within the people of your company. The resulting value created not only yields newfound wealth but also engenders enviable industry leadership. Industry dominance can follow while competitors are often left mired in the mediocrity of yesterday's practice. Joint venture partners can often completely reverse and transform the fortunes of a courageous forward going company. Such a company can be yours.

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