Describe a time you proposed a non-intuitive solution to a problem.

Example Answers

Consumer Electronics Enthusiast

Sure, I am happy to discuss a time when I proposed a non-intuitive solution to a problem.

In my previous role, I was managing a project to develop a new home automation device. The challenge we faced was that the device was not connecting to the internet consistently, and there was no clear reason for this issue. The hardware and software teams were working on identifying the root cause of the problem, but despite their efforts, the issue persisted.

After analyzing the data, I noticed that the device's connectivity issue was primarily happening during peak internet usage hours. I realized that this could be due to the fact that our device was competing with other connected devices in the household, such as smart TVs and gaming consoles, which were also using the internet at the same time.

As a result, I proposed a non-intuitive solution - to limit the device's internet connectivity during peak usage hours. This meant that the device would have to be manually activated during that time, allowing users to prioritize their internet usage. The decision was not intuitive because it was counter to our initial goal of providing seamless and always-on connectivity.

The hardware and software teams were initially hesitant to implement this solution. But I explained my reasoning and supported it with data and customer feedback of internet connectivity being slow during peak hours. I convinced them of the potential benefits and that we could make it a feature that customers could control if they faced issues with connectivity during certain hours.

We tested this solution in a small pilot, monitored the data, and it turned out to work well. The connectivity issues disappeared during peak usage, and the feature was found to be useful by customers who faced similar issues.

In conclusion, I identified the need for a different way of thinking by analyzing the data and identifying patterns that were not immediately visible. I proposed a non-intuitive solution that initially went against our goal of providing seamless connectivity, but ultimately resulted in a better user experience for our customers.

E-Commerce Specialist

Sure, I'd be happy to share an experience where I proposed a non-intuitive solution to a problem.

In my previous role as a product manager at an e-commerce company, we faced a challenge where our customer retention rate was decreasing. We had tried various tactics like discount codes and loyalty programs, but they weren't leading to the desired results. I sensed that we needed to take a different approach to address the problem.

After analyzing the data and conducting customer-focused research, I determined that our customers were experiencing information overload on the checkout page. We had a lot of cross-sell and upsell options on the page, but the customers felt overwhelmed and were abandoning the checkout process.

I proposed that we simplify the checkout process by removing some of the cross-sell and upsell options and instead integrate a recommendation engine that provided personalized suggestions tailored to each customer's browsing history and purchase behavior. Initially, some stakeholders were hesitant about this non-traditional solution, as they believed it would negatively impact our revenue numbers.

However, I backed my proposal with data from our user research, which suggested that customers would appreciate a more personalized experience during the checkout process. I also ran an A/B test where we tested the simplified checkout process against the existing one, and the results proved the hypothesis right. The checkout page that included personalized recommendations led to an increase in conversions and a decrease in cart abandonment rate.

In conclusion, by thinking outside the box and proposing a non-intuitive solution, I was able to identify and address the root cause of our problem. By backing my proposal with qualitative and quantitative research and A/B testing, I was able to convince stakeholders and implement a successful solution.

Mobile App Guru

Certainly! One example of when I proposed a non-intuitive solution to a problem was when I was working at a social networking app where we were struggling with retaining users beyond their initial sign-up. Our team tried various tactics, such as personalized onboarding, gamification elements, and push notifications, but we still saw high churn rates after users completed the first few steps.

After analyzing user data and feedback, we realized that the main reason users were leaving the app was because they felt overwhelmed by the amount of content and activity on the platform. They didn't know where to start or how to find content that was relevant to them.

So, I proposed a solution that went against the traditional social networking model of showing users a constant stream of content from all their connections. Instead, we developed a personalized feed that displayed only the most relevant content to each user based on their past interactions and preferences. Users could also easily filter and search for content based on topics they were interested in.

This non-intuitive approach required a shift in our product's design and algorithm, but we believed it would help users find value in our app and increase retention rates. To validate this solution, we conducted user tests and surveys, and to our pleasant surprise, users reported feeling less overwhelmed and more satisfied with the content they saw on the personalized feed.

Overall, this experience taught me the importance of looking beyond the surface-level symptoms of a problem, understanding the root cause, and being open to unconventional solutions that may require a different way of thinking. It also reinforced the value of using data and user feedback to drive product decisions.

Enterprise Software Savant

Sure, I'd be happy to share an example. In my previous role as a product manager for an enterprise software company, we were working on a project to improve the performance of our system for one of our largest clients. The client was experiencing significant latency issues, and our team had been working on various solutions to try and resolve the problem but hadn't been successful.

During a brainstorming session with our team, I proposed a non-intuitive solution that involved re-architecting some of the core components of our system. The solution was unconventional and required a significant amount of additional work, but I felt that it offered the best chance of resolving the client's performance issues.

To identify that this problem required a different way of thinking, I used a few different approaches. Firstly, I spent time speaking with our client and understanding the specific pain points they were experiencing. This helped me to get a better sense of the root cause of the problem and the impact it was having on their business operations.

Secondly, I collaborated closely with our development team to get a better understanding of the technical constraints and limitations of our existing system. By understanding the underlying architecture of our platform and the specific challenges of the project, we were able to identify opportunities for improvement that were not immediately evident.

Finally, I conducted extensive research into existing solutions to similar problems in other software systems, looking for inspiration and best practices that we could apply to our own situation.

Ultimately, my proposed solution involved a significant re-architecture of some of our core components, as well as the adoption of new technologies and methodologies. It was a risky move, but we felt that it offered the best chance of delivering the results our client was looking for.

In the end, our solution was successful and helped us to not only improve the performance of our system for this particular client but also to apply those learnings to other clients facing similar challenges. This experience taught me the importance of being willing to challenge conventional thinking and seeking out alternative solutions to complex problems.

SaaS Strategist

Certainly, I would be happy to provide an example of a time when I proposed a non-intuitive solution to a problem.

At my previous company, we experienced a decline in customer retention rates for our SaaS platform. Our initial approach was to ramp up our marketing efforts and offer discounts to incentivize customers to renew their subscriptions. However, despite these efforts, our retention rates continued to decline.

After conducting research and analyzing customer feedback, I realized that the root of the problem lay not in our marketing strategy or pricing but in the user experience of our platform. I proposed that we invest in improving the onboarding process for new customers to help them better understand and navigate the platform. This would not only increase their satisfaction but also reduce the likelihood of churn.

This proposal was non-intuitive because traditionally, improving retention rates would involve external efforts such as promotions and advertisements. However, by focusing on the user experience, we were able to address the underlying cause of the problem and ultimately improve our retention rates more effectively.

To support my proposal, I gathered data on the user journey and conducted surveys with current and former customers to gain insights into their experience with our platform. I presented my findings and proposed solution to the leadership team, highlighting the potential impact on our retention rates and long-term growth.

After receiving buy-in, we initiated a series of changes to our onboarding process, including better tutorials, video guides, and personalized support. These changes had an immediate and noticeable impact on our customer retention rates, improving them significantly over a period of a few months.

In summary, I identified the need for a non-intuitive solution through careful research and data analysis, and by proposing a user-centric approach, we were able to address the root cause of the problem and achieve greater success in retaining customers.

Cybersecurity Expert

Sure, I'd be happy to provide an example.

In my previous role at a cybersecurity solutions company, we were tasked with creating a product that would help businesses secure their sensitive data in the cloud. The initial plan was to build a traditional encryption product that would protect data at rest and in transit. However, as we delved deeper into the problem, we realized that traditional encryption wouldn't be sufficient for cloud environments.

That's when I proposed an unconventional solution: tokenization. Tokenization is a method of data protection that replaces sensitive data with randomly generated tokens that have no meaning or value. The original data remains stored elsewhere, in a secure location.

At first, the team was skeptical of this approach since it was a relatively new concept in the field of cloud security. But I was able to back up my proposal with research that showed that tokenization is a more effective method of securing data in cloud environments than encryption alone. I also pointed out that tokenization could be a market differentiator for our product, as not many companies yet offered this type of solution for cloud security.

After some discussion and testing, we were able to develop a tokenization product that met our customers' needs and was well-received in the market. In retrospect, I believe my experience in cybersecurity helped me identify that the problem required a different way of thinking, and my ability to research and present my proposal effectively helped gain buy-in from the team.