The term "schlep problem" refers to the often tedious and unglamorous work required to bring a good idea to fruition. It's the unsexy, unexciting, but absolutely necessary steps that make a successful product or service. Identifying worthwhile schlep problems to solve can lead to significant business opportunities. Here's a breakdown of why certain schlep problems are worth solving and how to identify them:

Why Solving Schlep Problems Can Be Valuable:

• High Demand, Low Competition: Because the work is unappealing, fewer people are willing to do it. This creates opportunities for those who can automate, optimize, or otherwise make the "schlep" more manageable.


• Large Market Size: Even small improvements to a frequently encountered "schlep" can have a massive impact when applied across a large user base.


• Cost Savings & Efficiency Gains: Streamlining inefficient processes can lead to substantial cost savings for businesses and individuals.


• Improved User Experience: Making unpleasant tasks easier can significantly improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.


• Building a Strong Foundation: Addressing the "schlep" often involves building infrastructure or systems that can be leveraged for future products and services.


• First-Mover Advantage: Because these problems are often overlooked, those who solve them first can establish a strong market position.


• Strong Business Model: Companies that solve schlep problems often develop strong, sustainable business models focused on efficiency and reliability.

• Look for Processes that are:


• Repetitive & Manual: Tasks that involve the same steps repeated over and over, especially if they require manual input.


• Time-Consuming: Tasks that take an inordinate amount of time to complete, especially considering the perceived value.


• Error-Prone: Tasks where human error is common, leading to rework and frustration.


• Frustrating & Annoying: Tasks that people actively dislike doing, leading to procrastination and avoidance.


• Hidden Costs: Tasks that have indirect costs associated with them (e.g., time wasted, resources consumed, opportunities missed).


• Inconsistent: Tasks where the results vary depending on who performs them or when they are performed.


• Lack of Transparency: Processes where it's difficult to track progress or understand the status.


• Require Specialized Knowledge: Tasks that require expertise that is difficult or expensive to acquire.


• Poorly Documented: Processes that lack clear instructions or standard operating procedures.


• Focus on Areas Where You Have Expertise or Interest: It's easier to identify and solve problems in areas you understand well.


• Consider Industries Ripe for Disruption: Industries that are slow to adopt technology or are heavily regulated often have significant "schlep" problems. Examples:


• Healthcare: Scheduling appointments, managing patient records, processing insurance claims.


• Finance: Loan applications, regulatory compliance, tax preparation.


• Real Estate: Property management, lease agreements, title searches.


• Logistics: Supply chain management, inventory tracking, last-mile delivery.


• Education: Grading papers, managing student data, creating learning materials.


• Government: Permit applications, public record access, bureaucratic processes.


• Talk to People: Ask people about their pain points and frustrations in their daily lives and work. Conduct interviews, surveys, and user research.


• Observe & Document: Pay attention to the processes you encounter in your own life and work. Document the steps involved, the time it takes, and the potential for improvement.


• Think About Automation & Technology: Consider how technology can be used to automate, streamline, or eliminate the "schlep."

• Stripe: Simplified the complex process of accepting online payments.


• TurboTax: Made tax preparation easier for individuals.


• DocuSign: Automated the process of signing and managing documents.


• Zapier: Connects different applications to automate workflows.


• Repsly: A CRM for field sales teams. Simplifies the process of tracking sales activities for remote reps.

• Market Size: How many people or businesses experience this "schlep"?


• Willingness to Pay: Are people willing to pay for a solution to this problem?


• Feasibility: Is it technically and economically feasible to solve this problem?


• Competitive Landscape: Are there existing solutions? If so, how can you differentiate yourself?


• Long-Term Sustainability: Is this a problem that will continue to exist in the future?