Every breakthrough business idea begins with solving a common

Host: The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of the evening settling in. Jack sat at the table, his fingers lightly tapping on the surface, clearly absorbed in thought. Jeeny stood near the window, her gaze distant, reflecting on Michael Dell’s words that Jack had just shared. The concept of breakthrough business ideas beginning with solving common problems seemed to resonate deeply.

Jeeny: “I’ve been thinking about what Michael Dell said: ‘Every breakthrough business idea begins with solving a common problem. The bigger the problem, the bigger the opportunity. I discovered a big one when I took apart an IBM PC. I made two interesting discoveries: The components were all manufactured by other companies, and the system that retailed for $3,000 cost about $600 in parts.’ It’s amazing how such a simple action—taking something apart—led to such a monumental realization. His breakthrough came from noticing something most people wouldn’t—inefficiency and overpricing.”

Jack: “Yes, it’s incredible how a problem—in this case, the high price of an IBM PC—became the opportunity. Dell didn’t just accept the price or the way things were done. He saw an opportunity to improve the situation, to solve a problem that a lot of people hadn’t even realized existed. By taking apart the PC, he uncovered the gap between the cost of production and the price at retail, which led to the foundation of his business.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Dell is showing us that some of the most innovative ideas come from looking at things from a different perspective, from questioning what’s considered the norm. By taking apart the PC and really understanding how it was put together, he was able to see the inefficiencies, the opportunities to make it better and more affordable. It wasn’t just about building a computer—it was about solving the problem of cost and accessibility.”

Host: The quiet in the room deepened, as though the realization of how often opportunities lie in solving common problems had struck a chord. Jack’s fingers rested on the table as he processed the idea that many of the greatest business breakthroughs come from noticing inefficiencies and finding ways to address them.

Jack: “It makes me think about how many businesses start out by solving something simple, something practical. Dell saw that the market was paying a high price for something that didn’t actually cost that much to make, and that led to a complete shift in how computers were sold. He didn’t just want to compete with IBM; he wanted to disrupt the industry by addressing a fundamental flaw.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and it’s interesting that the problem he solved wasn’t something complicated—it was just about cost and accessibility. That’s the beauty of many successful businesses—they don’t always have to reinvent the wheel; they just need to find a way to make things more efficient, affordable, or user-friendly. By identifying the gap, Dell created a whole new market and transformed the industry.”

Jack: “That’s the key, isn’t it? Innovation often comes from seeing what’s wrong with the way things are and finding a way to fix it. Dell’s insight was realizing that a lot of businesses were being charged much more than necessary, and he took that knowledge to create something better—something that spoke to the needs of the consumer.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about value—offering people something that not only works but is affordable and accessible. That’s how breakthrough ideas are born. They come from looking at problems that others are too focused on to see and realizing that fixing them can create huge opportunities.”

Host: The room had grown quieter, the weight of the conversation settling into a shared understanding of how innovation often begins with noticing problems that others overlook. Michael Dell’s experience taking apart an IBM PC and discovering inefficiencies wasn’t just about the components or the price—it was about understanding the larger picture and seeing how solving that problem could create a game-changing opportunity. The world outside had darkened completely, but inside, there was a light—a realization that the most successful business ideas often come from solving common problems in new and innovative ways.

Jack: “I think Dell's story is a great reminder that sometimes the best opportunities come when we’re willing to take something apart, examine it from a new perspective, and see where the flaws are. Once we see those flaws, the solutions are just waiting to be found.”

Jeeny: “Yes, exactly. Dell didn’t just accept things as they were. He took a hard look at an industry that seemed to be running on assumptions and saw the potential for improvement. And by doing so, he didn’t just create a product—he created a whole new way of doing business.”

Host: The conversation had come full circle, the understanding that innovation and success are often rooted in the simple act of noticing what’s wrong, what could be better, and how we can solve it. The world outside may have grown quiet, but inside, there was a new clarity—that some of the most impactful ideas come from solving problems that are right in front of us, waiting for the right person to see them.