--- title: "Start with the problem" url: https://sam-page.com/thinking/start-with-the-problem date: 2026-08-07 author: Sam Page type: The Friday Takeaway edition categories: [The Friday Takeaway] reading_time: 5 min summary: "I've been posting The Friday Takeaway as a standard post on LinkedIn for a while now... but from today I'm going to try switching this Newsletter format." first_published: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/start-problem-sam-page-rkvqf --- # Start with the problem I've been posting The Friday Takeaway as a standard post on LinkedIn for a while now... but from today I'm going to try switching this Newsletter format. I'm conscious it's long, it's weekly, and not everyone who follows me wants it filling up their LinkedIn feed. As a newsletter at least you can opt in, and not live at the whim of the. LinkedIn algorythm. For those that are new to The Friday Takeaway, it's an unfiltered, behind the scenes, weekly account as a founder, advisor, charity chair, husband and dad, written by me. That includes running 7DOTS and DealCraft.ai, two new business I'm about to launch, supporting Pippa Labs, The Dyslexia Shop Limited, Gemma Page CPCC, and a portfolio of other businesses and international clients, chairing Kingston Giving, and the family life going on around all of it. Some weeks that's a technology conversation I've had four times with four different clients. Some weeks it's a trailer I bought off a stranger. Both of those are in this one. ### Most people start with the technology I see a lot of different approaches to how companies use technology, and more recently AI, effectively. The fundamental mistake most people make is starting with the technology, then trying to work out where to deploy it. The right approach is to start with a problem, assess what technology can solve it (or whether any technology can), then work out impact versus effort to prioritise the use cases. I always recommend people start by identifying workflows, and the use cases within them. Workflows, or the processes you have to carry out, tend to come to mind pretty easily. What has to sit alongside this is an overarching strategy, vision and/or set of principles, to make sure the way you're using technology moves you in the right direction. We've been running a number of workshops with clients to do all of these things. Define the principles, use workflows to identify and prioritise the use cases, assess them, then start using the right technology to solve them. It's magical to see how the room lights up when people start building solutions to real problems. ![](https://sam-page.com/img/thinking/start-with-the-problem-1.webp) ### Getting a business going takes more than a good idea I caught up with one of my oldest friends, Chef James Chapman this week, previously Head Chef for Tom Kitchen, who founded [Confelicity Bakery](https://www.confelicitybakery.co.uk/), an artisan gluten-free bakery, in Edinburgh. If you want to see someone working hard and with dedication, James is right at the top of that list. From a big idea to relentless dedication to make it happen, he is really making a name for himself. Under a year from opening, he's built a following with many amazing reviews and partnerships, and has started to wholesale through that reputation. ![](https://sam-page.com/img/thinking/start-with-the-problem-2.webp) We're not very good at talking about the middle bit, the hardwork a business takes. Business stories get told as a good idea and a bit of luck, and the months of unglamorous effort in between often get lost along the way. There's no version where you skip it. The idea gets you to the start line, but James with the support of his wife, family and the staff, have done all the actual work. Really pleased for you James and can't wait to see where Confelicity goes. ### Balancing family life and growing a business This has been on my mind a lot over the summer holidays. I I've felt a real pull this year to spend as much time with my children as possible as they get older. They're 11 and 7. But running 7DOTS, my established and growing business, launching the latest version of DealCraft, chairing Kingston Giving, and the other commitments I have to help founders and growing businesses all need considerable time and effort. It's hard to get the balance right. I constantly feel like I'm not giving the family enough time. And when I do turn my attention to them, I feel guilty I'm not working on or in one of the businesses. A client and good friend sent me a message the other day. 'Focus on the important stuff', in reference to the family. It was appreciated. It gave me permission to let go of the bit of work I was trying to get out of the door and focus on the family for a couple of days. I felt so much better for it. And the piece of work was much better in the end. As a result we had a wonderful weekend in Cornwall, with some time out for Gemma Page CPCC and me to see Bruce O'Brien CPCC, PCC, our friend and coach, and Chris Black, a friend and client who's stepping back from the day job. We had a cracking weekend at the [St Endellion Music Festival](https://endellionfestivals.org.uk/). ![](https://sam-page.com/img/thinking/start-with-the-problem-3.webp) It's a great reminder of the principle that the thing you think you shouldn't do is often the thing you need to do most. ![](https://sam-page.com/img/thinking/start-with-the-problem-4.webp) Then a lunch date with my daughter yesterday, which felt like the best thing I did all week. ### Most people are lovely I bought a trailer this week. I know, I'm getting old. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting the seller to be a wheeler dealer (pun intended) and not much help. My assumption couldn't have been further from the truth. They were the nicest person I could have met, taking the time to help me get to grips with how to connect it to the car, and everything else I hadn't thought about. **Don't lose faith in the fact that most people you meet are really nice people.** Especially if you let your guard down and show them who you really are, which lets them do the same back. ### One I haven't worked out If you're running something and raising a family at the same time, how do you decide what gets dropped? I don't have a rule for it. I'd like one. But it seems impossible to find the perfect balance unless you have an endless amount of money... I would love to hear how you juggle your professional and personal life.