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See, Solve, Scale: How Anyone Can Turn an Unsolved Problem into a Breakthrough Success
Inspired by Brown University’s beloved course—The Entrepreneurial Process—Danny Warshay’s See, Solve, Scale is a proven and paradigm-shifting method to unlocking the power of entrepreneurship.
The Entrepreneurial Process, one of Brown University’s highest-rated courses, has empowered thousands of students to start their own ventures. You might assume these ventures started because the founders were born entrepreneurs. You might assume that these folks had technical or finance degrees, or worked at fancy consulting firms, or had some other specialized knowledge. Yet that isn’t the case. Entrepreneurship is not a spirit or a gift. It is a process that anyone can learn, and that anyone can use to turn a problem into a solution with impact.
In See, Solve, Scale, Danny Warshay, the creator of the Entrepreneurial Process course and founding Executive Director of Brown’s Center for Entrepreneurship, shares the same set of tools with aspiring entrepreneurs around the world. He overturns the common misconception that entrepreneurship is a hard-wired trait or the sole province of high-flying MBAs, and provides a proven method to identify consequential problems and an accessible process anyone can learn, master, and apply to solve them.
Combining real-world experience backed by surprising research-based insights, See, Solve, Scale guides the reader through forming a successful startup team and through the three steps of the process: find and validate a problem, develop an initial small-scale solution, and scale a long-term solution. It also details eleven common errors of judgment that entrepreneurs make when they rely on their intuition and provides instruction for how to avoid them.
Leveraging Warshay’s own entrepreneurship successes and his 15 years of experience teaching liberal arts students, See, Solve, Scale debunks common myths about entrepreneurship and empowers everyone, especially those who other entrepreneurship books have ignored and left behind. Its lasting message: Anyone can take a world-changing idea from conception to breakthrough entrepreneurial success.
The Entrepreneurial Process, one of Brown University’s highest-rated courses, has empowered thousands of students to start their own ventures. You might assume these ventures started because the founders were born entrepreneurs. You might assume that these folks had technical or finance degrees, or worked at fancy consulting firms, or had some other specialized knowledge. Yet that isn’t the case. Entrepreneurship is not a spirit or a gift. It is a process that anyone can learn, and that anyone can use to turn a problem into a solution with impact.
In See, Solve, Scale, Danny Warshay, the creator of the Entrepreneurial Process course and founding Executive Director of Brown’s Center for Entrepreneurship, shares the same set of tools with aspiring entrepreneurs around the world. He overturns the common misconception that entrepreneurship is a hard-wired trait or the sole province of high-flying MBAs, and provides a proven method to identify consequential problems and an accessible process anyone can learn, master, and apply to solve them.
Combining real-world experience backed by surprising research-based insights, See, Solve, Scale guides the reader through forming a successful startup team and through the three steps of the process: find and validate a problem, develop an initial small-scale solution, and scale a long-term solution. It also details eleven common errors of judgment that entrepreneurs make when they rely on their intuition and provides instruction for how to avoid them.
Leveraging Warshay’s own entrepreneurship successes and his 15 years of experience teaching liberal arts students, See, Solve, Scale debunks common myths about entrepreneurship and empowers everyone, especially those who other entrepreneurship books have ignored and left behind. Its lasting message: Anyone can take a world-changing idea from conception to breakthrough entrepreneurial success.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published March 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 6, 2022
Real Rating: 4.5* of five
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: The best, measured by their own success metrics, entrepreneurs are the same kind of people who become cultural anthropologists. They are more interested in what you have to say than in putting forth their own ideas. They are deeply curious about things, lots of things, and like asking questions designed to elicit explanations not simply answers. They like building on those explanations, fixing those unfulfilled needs, by getting the needy in contact with needed commodity.
This is a radical departure from the existing models of entrepreneurship. These focus on the item to be sold and thus focus on salesmanship, on taking A Widget and getting together the right talents and teams to make it. Think Shark Tank. It's a hit-and-miss process...it depends on selling selling selling, on creating a need where none might've been before.
Warshay says the best results come from starting at the end of the traditional process: Identifying the need that a widget satisfies. He requires his students to form teams, which is already a huge lesson in observing, asking questions, and solving issues; the teams must then identify an issue (See) that they can imagine a way to improve, to add value to (Solve), and then create a structure to both implement the solution and make it replicable for others (Scale).
So, you know what it says, now you can go do it, right? Ummm...no.
The value Warshay adds in his course at Brown University, of course, is access to his extensive knowledge base in person and the presence of other motivated and creative people on one's own level. The book is a great way to pick up many ideas, and Warshay is as generous with his experience as he is with his expertise. The case analysis of failures is as valuable as the rah-rah of support and cheerleading. (I contend it's actually more valuable, but I'm a cynical old party.) What Warshay's written version of the course has over the lived experience of it is, one: cost...a $30-ish book purchase is a lot less than a Brown University course...two: time, as in "read in your own." Some of us aren't great at sprints like a class represents. Some of us aren't able to thrive in the distracting atmosphere of competing ideas and purposes. A book is a great way to determine for one's self if a technique will work for us, our own special needs and conditions of life.
There are, inevitably, downsides to reading a book about a dynamic thing like developing one's innate entrepreneurial methodology. Those multivarious points of view? Distracting, perhaps; but urgently needed to avoid making the echo-chamber error. (Look at the great failures in History, eg: Napoleon, Hitler; they heard no dissent, brooked no argument; they Were Right. A faster road to failure I do not know of.) And let's not forget that other people have other social networks. The social aspect of entrepreneurship isn't to be underestimated. There need to be converts and believers to get any action from plan to performance, no matter how many or few, no matter what is needed from them or required of them.
There's a major disconnect for me in Warshay's insistence, at the very beginning of the book, that no pre-existing resources are needed for entrepreneurs to begin their journey. I contend that these social networks and the luxury of time to spend developing their skills are resources, and the glibness to sell others on a vision isn't exactly something everyone just *has*. The book does the work of developing whatever innate abilities one has a disservice by not acknowledging it as a precious resource, and one that not everyone possesses.
Since, however, the book and the course it's based on exist as a means of doing that developing, I suppose it's simply so basal to the ability to benefit from it that Warshay doesn't feel it needs belaboring.
One thing Warshay addresses (but doesn't belabor, either) is that the contents of the book can be applied within existing businesses or organizations. This strikes me as something that is supremely valuable in the post-COVID economy. One's role in an existing business might not be the same now as it was three years ago. What better moment to introduce something major and unexpected than this one? And this is the resource that can make that vague idea you've had since 1999 a reality at last.
A business doesn't need two people with the same ideas. So be the one with a new idea. Read this book, apply its precepts, and survive the layoffs. Or read this book, realize your idea is workable but can't be done while wage-slaving, and find the path to the door. It's never the wrong time to bet on yourself and your own creativity.
Parents with college undergrads or recent graduates could do a lot worse than give them a copy of this book (graduation season being close upon us); those with younger kids, high-schoolers let's say, could do worse than let them in on the way professors, later on bosses, will be looking at them and the yardsticks those seniors will use to measure them.
If there's been an employment gap in your life, this $30 might be more than you can splash out...but the library can, and will, help out there! This isn't some self-published marvy by a distinctly second-rank creator. This is a major-publisher product, well made and vetted by generations of successful and satisfied students. If it's not already on the library's acquisitions list, recommend the purchase to them. No one can know about every single book that's coming out. Who knows but what you might find yourself wreathed in glory for suggesting something that will help many.
The overall point I'm making is: Read it; try it out; and don't wait any longer to make a move to get your vision made manifest.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: The best, measured by their own success metrics, entrepreneurs are the same kind of people who become cultural anthropologists. They are more interested in what you have to say than in putting forth their own ideas. They are deeply curious about things, lots of things, and like asking questions designed to elicit explanations not simply answers. They like building on those explanations, fixing those unfulfilled needs, by getting the needy in contact with needed commodity.
This is a radical departure from the existing models of entrepreneurship. These focus on the item to be sold and thus focus on salesmanship, on taking A Widget and getting together the right talents and teams to make it. Think Shark Tank. It's a hit-and-miss process...it depends on selling selling selling, on creating a need where none might've been before.
Warshay says the best results come from starting at the end of the traditional process: Identifying the need that a widget satisfies. He requires his students to form teams, which is already a huge lesson in observing, asking questions, and solving issues; the teams must then identify an issue (See) that they can imagine a way to improve, to add value to (Solve), and then create a structure to both implement the solution and make it replicable for others (Scale).
So, you know what it says, now you can go do it, right? Ummm...no.
The value Warshay adds in his course at Brown University, of course, is access to his extensive knowledge base in person and the presence of other motivated and creative people on one's own level. The book is a great way to pick up many ideas, and Warshay is as generous with his experience as he is with his expertise. The case analysis of failures is as valuable as the rah-rah of support and cheerleading. (I contend it's actually more valuable, but I'm a cynical old party.) What Warshay's written version of the course has over the lived experience of it is, one: cost...a $30-ish book purchase is a lot less than a Brown University course...two: time, as in "read in your own." Some of us aren't great at sprints like a class represents. Some of us aren't able to thrive in the distracting atmosphere of competing ideas and purposes. A book is a great way to determine for one's self if a technique will work for us, our own special needs and conditions of life.
There are, inevitably, downsides to reading a book about a dynamic thing like developing one's innate entrepreneurial methodology. Those multivarious points of view? Distracting, perhaps; but urgently needed to avoid making the echo-chamber error. (Look at the great failures in History, eg: Napoleon, Hitler; they heard no dissent, brooked no argument; they Were Right. A faster road to failure I do not know of.) And let's not forget that other people have other social networks. The social aspect of entrepreneurship isn't to be underestimated. There need to be converts and believers to get any action from plan to performance, no matter how many or few, no matter what is needed from them or required of them.
There's a major disconnect for me in Warshay's insistence, at the very beginning of the book, that no pre-existing resources are needed for entrepreneurs to begin their journey. I contend that these social networks and the luxury of time to spend developing their skills are resources, and the glibness to sell others on a vision isn't exactly something everyone just *has*. The book does the work of developing whatever innate abilities one has a disservice by not acknowledging it as a precious resource, and one that not everyone possesses.
Since, however, the book and the course it's based on exist as a means of doing that developing, I suppose it's simply so basal to the ability to benefit from it that Warshay doesn't feel it needs belaboring.
One thing Warshay addresses (but doesn't belabor, either) is that the contents of the book can be applied within existing businesses or organizations. This strikes me as something that is supremely valuable in the post-COVID economy. One's role in an existing business might not be the same now as it was three years ago. What better moment to introduce something major and unexpected than this one? And this is the resource that can make that vague idea you've had since 1999 a reality at last.
A business doesn't need two people with the same ideas. So be the one with a new idea. Read this book, apply its precepts, and survive the layoffs. Or read this book, realize your idea is workable but can't be done while wage-slaving, and find the path to the door. It's never the wrong time to bet on yourself and your own creativity.
Parents with college undergrads or recent graduates could do a lot worse than give them a copy of this book (graduation season being close upon us); those with younger kids, high-schoolers let's say, could do worse than let them in on the way professors, later on bosses, will be looking at them and the yardsticks those seniors will use to measure them.
If there's been an employment gap in your life, this $30 might be more than you can splash out...but the library can, and will, help out there! This isn't some self-published marvy by a distinctly second-rank creator. This is a major-publisher product, well made and vetted by generations of successful and satisfied students. If it's not already on the library's acquisitions list, recommend the purchase to them. No one can know about every single book that's coming out. Who knows but what you might find yourself wreathed in glory for suggesting something that will help many.
The overall point I'm making is: Read it; try it out; and don't wait any longer to make a move to get your vision made manifest.
December 29, 2022
Really good genuine and somewhat unique.
The author uses a lot of strong personal anecdotes and stays away from clichés, which I definitely appreciate. There are a few points where he strays into Harvard business speak and relies upon research that I think it’s very easy to be skeptical of as far as replicability. When you start getting into management and leadership stuff, that’s pretty easy to do, so no major points off for that. And the rest of the book more than makes up for it.
This is basically a really strong class in entrepreneurship, and gives you a very rough framework in which to pursue those endeavors. It’s not gonna turn you into Steve Jobs or anyone like that overnight but as someone who started a lot of projects that have floundered at various points. This is a really cool and clean framework.
The author uses a lot of strong personal anecdotes and stays away from clichés, which I definitely appreciate. There are a few points where he strays into Harvard business speak and relies upon research that I think it’s very easy to be skeptical of as far as replicability. When you start getting into management and leadership stuff, that’s pretty easy to do, so no major points off for that. And the rest of the book more than makes up for it.
This is basically a really strong class in entrepreneurship, and gives you a very rough framework in which to pursue those endeavors. It’s not gonna turn you into Steve Jobs or anyone like that overnight but as someone who started a lot of projects that have floundered at various points. This is a really cool and clean framework.
February 20, 2022
Danny Warshay wrote this as a book version of an entrepreneurship class he teaches at Brown University. He expressly notes that it’s designed to mirror his students’ experience in learning the tools one needs to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Warshay selected several real world examples of businesses that started in his class or that exemplify what he teaches, and these examples help illuminate his “See, Solve, Scale” approach throughout the book.
Since the students in Warshay’s class must form teams, identify a problem (see), create a solution with a value proposition (solve), and develop a sustainability plan (scale), then pitch this venture in a pitch event, readers of the book (obviously) can’t get the full experience of Warshay’s class. Fortunately, reading the book almost feels like an audit of that class, like we got to sit in the back and didn't have to worry about getting up in front of anyone to speak and we definitely didn't have to worry about a grade. Warshay presents the content of his class in a clear, organized manner, filled with industry stories, practical tips, and reality checks.
Warshay also provides targeted advice for creating an Executive Summary, a Sustainability Plan, and a 10-page pitch deck, and for giving a strong pitch. This portion of the book could almost be a stand-alone for an entrepreneur to keep at hand for frequent reference.
Strong read for anyone who wants to develop real and sustainable solutions and have the tools to build a team (partners, employees, investors) and change the world (or a very small part of the world).
Warshay selected several real world examples of businesses that started in his class or that exemplify what he teaches, and these examples help illuminate his “See, Solve, Scale” approach throughout the book.
Since the students in Warshay’s class must form teams, identify a problem (see), create a solution with a value proposition (solve), and develop a sustainability plan (scale), then pitch this venture in a pitch event, readers of the book (obviously) can’t get the full experience of Warshay’s class. Fortunately, reading the book almost feels like an audit of that class, like we got to sit in the back and didn't have to worry about getting up in front of anyone to speak and we definitely didn't have to worry about a grade. Warshay presents the content of his class in a clear, organized manner, filled with industry stories, practical tips, and reality checks.
Warshay also provides targeted advice for creating an Executive Summary, a Sustainability Plan, and a 10-page pitch deck, and for giving a strong pitch. This portion of the book could almost be a stand-alone for an entrepreneur to keep at hand for frequent reference.
Strong read for anyone who wants to develop real and sustainable solutions and have the tools to build a team (partners, employees, investors) and change the world (or a very small part of the world).
March 23, 2022
Problem Solving - Not Just for Entrepreneurs
The focus of this book is on how to help people who want to start a company. The strategy is to find a need or a way to solve a problem. Then don’t be constrained by your current resources. Think outside the box about what will make the idea a success. Finally have a vision about how the world will change if you are successful. The last objective will keep you focused on the goal during the times when things aren’t going perfectly and keep you from giving up.
The book is very readable. The author presents his ideas and follows them up with examples of both successful and not so successful entrepreneurs. I particularly liked the inclusion of the not so successful. Sometimes I find it off-putting to hear only success stories. Failure is a learning experience also.
While this book is clearly aimed at people who want to make a difference and have their own companies. There are other groups who can benefit from these ideas. You may not have to start your own business. It can be equally challenging to move an established business into more profitable areas.
The problem solving principles can be used by anyone even if the objective isn’t to start a business. The most difficult thing for most people embarking on a project is identifying a workable problem. This book presents good strategies for this. I think anyone could benefit from reading this book and translating the ideas into their own area.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
The focus of this book is on how to help people who want to start a company. The strategy is to find a need or a way to solve a problem. Then don’t be constrained by your current resources. Think outside the box about what will make the idea a success. Finally have a vision about how the world will change if you are successful. The last objective will keep you focused on the goal during the times when things aren’t going perfectly and keep you from giving up.
The book is very readable. The author presents his ideas and follows them up with examples of both successful and not so successful entrepreneurs. I particularly liked the inclusion of the not so successful. Sometimes I find it off-putting to hear only success stories. Failure is a learning experience also.
While this book is clearly aimed at people who want to make a difference and have their own companies. There are other groups who can benefit from these ideas. You may not have to start your own business. It can be equally challenging to move an established business into more profitable areas.
The problem solving principles can be used by anyone even if the objective isn’t to start a business. The most difficult thing for most people embarking on a project is identifying a workable problem. This book presents good strategies for this. I think anyone could benefit from reading this book and translating the ideas into their own area.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
June 23, 2022
Guess one of the best books I read recently. Everytime I'm interested on business or entrepreneurship related books, they sound quite fluffy to me. Buy this book offers a structured approach for entrepreneurship, a methodology, really makes sense for non entrepreneurs like I am. Also he touched on non profits works so fits me well, the approach also makes sense for other context too. Worth to read even if you are not thinking about starting a business.
December 4, 2023
The interweaving of story and academic advice was splendid and insightful to read.
February 21, 2022
Creativity is a relatively young science, going back only a century, give or take, when some academics became fascinated with “incubation” as a prelude to a leap of creative “insight”. A little later in the 40’s and 50’s, researchers concentrated on what they called “Big C Creativity”, that is, the creativity associated with DaVinci, Einstein, Henry Ford and others intellectual elites.
But, it was not very long before the researchers shifted their focus to “little c” creativity and that is the innate ability of every human being to be creative and capable of developing related skills to higher and higher levels of creative and innovative achievement.
What is most compelling to me about See, Solve, Scale is that it is written not only for “Big E” Entrepreneurs, like Jobs, Bezos and Musk, but, also, for “little e” entrepreneurs like college undergraduates or, for that matter, any person with a problem in need of a methodology to “see” the problem better, “solve” it with more imagination and “scale” it bigger.
See, Solve, Scale provides everyone with the methodology and tools to create and realize innovative value for themselves, their communities and the world.
February 14, 2022
I found Danny's book See, Solve, Scale as a great foundation for entrepreneurs of all industries. It is clear, welcoming, and gives concrete and valuable recommendations on how to approach taking new ideas in the market in a customer centric manner. He brings together a wide range of insights from experts, his students, and his own teaching to share a highly practical approach and set of tools. His stories of those he has taught and mentored at Brown is informative and fascinating. It's not easy to be an entrepreneur, so hearing valuable and thoughtful ideas from his work is a great way to embrace entrepreneurship and turn ambiguity to an approachable set of actions.
I highly recommend this to anyone who is an entrepreneur or who teaches entrepreneurship at the college, high school, or adult level. What's even better is that even if you have read books on being a start up from others, this pulls things together and reinforces some of the best ways of turning ideas into reality.
I got the chance to meet some of those mentioned in the book a number of years ago and was impressed with how Danny works with smart students, with no business experience and help them become successful. Thanks Danny. Looking forward to trying out some of your recommendations.
I highly recommend this to anyone who is an entrepreneur or who teaches entrepreneurship at the college, high school, or adult level. What's even better is that even if you have read books on being a start up from others, this pulls things together and reinforces some of the best ways of turning ideas into reality.
I got the chance to meet some of those mentioned in the book a number of years ago and was impressed with how Danny works with smart students, with no business experience and help them become successful. Thanks Danny. Looking forward to trying out some of your recommendations.
January 10, 2023
5 stars! Danny is a master of drilling down on a complex topic, providing examples to make the steps feel palatable and feasible, and providing a robust structure that prevents the reader from getting lost along the way. This book is fun engaging, relatable, and it inspires you to think creatively. In this land of entrepreneurship, no idea is out of bounds; everything is encouraged and all perspectives are welcome. In fact, the author features many different entrepreneurs’ perspectives, which are presented with an attitude of curiosity for the problem at hand. As someone who has already participated in one of the author’s workshops, I found that this book contextualized and provided the ‘bookends’ around the exercises that we did during the workshop. This book is inspiring and makes entrepreneurship feel approachable and widely applicable. It inspires you to observe with an open mind prior to jumping to a solution space. Whether you’re a founder, a CMO, an engineer, or just someone interested in what it would be like to be part of a startup— you’ll walk away from this book with skills and anecdotes to carry into your own life. I will say, the perfect pairing for this book is one of Danny’s workshops. Find one and join if you haven’t already!
January 29, 2022
As a former entrepreneur, business lecturer, and social anthropologist, I feel like this book was written for me. Warshay sets out what it takes to be an entrepreneur and focuses on three aspects that absolutely speak to me.
First, the need to observe. He contends that the best entrepreneurs are anthropologists at heart. They start by simply watching, asking questions, and understanding how people behave. From that - and only from that - they can figure out what problem they are trying to solve. And, as Einstein noted, once you fully understand the problem, the solution is often obvious. In other words, don’t start with a product or an idea and figure to how to monetize it. Start by identifying a need, and then create a solution that you know people will want.
Second, think big. Don’t try to solve the problem by thinking about how to work within your existing constraints. Figure out what it would take to solve the problem in an ideal world. Once you have that answer, your problem is not what you should do to be successful, but how to get what you need to make it happen. In many cases, small-scale solutions aren’t cost-effective. You have to be prepared to get out of your comfort zone and be audacious.
This leads naturally to the third aspect: the need for a big vision. How will you have changed the world in twenty or thirty years if your venture is successful? That motivates you, it motivates your investors, it motivates your staff, and it motivates your customers. Think beyond just making money, and think about how you can make people’s lives better.
Where I found myself disagreeing with Warshay was that at the start of the book, he kept emphasizing that you don’t need resources to build a successful company. The examples he gave, however, involved entrepreneurs persuading people to donate their time, expertise, or financial support. You do, almost always, need resources - even if you can find a way to avoid paying for them, you still need to acquire them. The last part of the book is all about pitching and fundraising - in other words, acquiring resources. If you can’t pitch, it doesn’t matter how good your idea or your business model is - it won’t get off the ground.
On the whole, however, an excellent book. Recommended for any aspiring entrepreneur - especially those with a liberal arts background who fear they don’t have the required skills.
First, the need to observe. He contends that the best entrepreneurs are anthropologists at heart. They start by simply watching, asking questions, and understanding how people behave. From that - and only from that - they can figure out what problem they are trying to solve. And, as Einstein noted, once you fully understand the problem, the solution is often obvious. In other words, don’t start with a product or an idea and figure to how to monetize it. Start by identifying a need, and then create a solution that you know people will want.
Second, think big. Don’t try to solve the problem by thinking about how to work within your existing constraints. Figure out what it would take to solve the problem in an ideal world. Once you have that answer, your problem is not what you should do to be successful, but how to get what you need to make it happen. In many cases, small-scale solutions aren’t cost-effective. You have to be prepared to get out of your comfort zone and be audacious.
This leads naturally to the third aspect: the need for a big vision. How will you have changed the world in twenty or thirty years if your venture is successful? That motivates you, it motivates your investors, it motivates your staff, and it motivates your customers. Think beyond just making money, and think about how you can make people’s lives better.
Where I found myself disagreeing with Warshay was that at the start of the book, he kept emphasizing that you don’t need resources to build a successful company. The examples he gave, however, involved entrepreneurs persuading people to donate their time, expertise, or financial support. You do, almost always, need resources - even if you can find a way to avoid paying for them, you still need to acquire them. The last part of the book is all about pitching and fundraising - in other words, acquiring resources. If you can’t pitch, it doesn’t matter how good your idea or your business model is - it won’t get off the ground.
On the whole, however, an excellent book. Recommended for any aspiring entrepreneur - especially those with a liberal arts background who fear they don’t have the required skills.
March 10, 2023
I love the book "See Solve Scale" by Danny Warshay. It is a refreshing take on business and entrepreneurship, which are often seen as cold and purely profit-driven topics. Warshay emphasizes that people are one of the most important pillars for business success. He believes that building strong relationships and prioritizing people over profits can unlock something even more meaningful.
One of the things that stood out to me is that Warshay is aware of his privilege and is conscious of choosing not only profitable businesses as examples but also those that make a positive impact on society and the environment. He includes meaningful movements and diversity campaigns for entrepreneurship examples, showing that profit and purpose can go hand in hand.
I appreciate that the book is not just about positive thinking or exaggeration in the business field. Instead, Warshay presents a methodology that can be applied to any endeavor, whether it's a profitable business, a nonprofit, or even on a personal level. "See Solve Scale" is a methodology, not an ideology, making it a flexible and practical approach to problem-solving.
Warshay's teaching experience shines through in his writing. He has gathered a lot of input from fellow professionals and successful students, and he credits them for the lessons learned. This makes the book easy to digest and relatable, even for non-business students.
Overall, "See Solve Scale" is a book that highlights the importance of people in business and entrepreneurship. It shows that building meaningful relationships can lead to both profit and purpose. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
One of the things that stood out to me is that Warshay is aware of his privilege and is conscious of choosing not only profitable businesses as examples but also those that make a positive impact on society and the environment. He includes meaningful movements and diversity campaigns for entrepreneurship examples, showing that profit and purpose can go hand in hand.
I appreciate that the book is not just about positive thinking or exaggeration in the business field. Instead, Warshay presents a methodology that can be applied to any endeavor, whether it's a profitable business, a nonprofit, or even on a personal level. "See Solve Scale" is a methodology, not an ideology, making it a flexible and practical approach to problem-solving.
Warshay's teaching experience shines through in his writing. He has gathered a lot of input from fellow professionals and successful students, and he credits them for the lessons learned. This makes the book easy to digest and relatable, even for non-business students.
Overall, "See Solve Scale" is a book that highlights the importance of people in business and entrepreneurship. It shows that building meaningful relationships can lead to both profit and purpose. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
February 16, 2022
If you are interested in solving problems sustainably, See, Solve, Scale is for you.
The book articulates the proven process Brown University Professor of Entrepreneurship Danny Warshay teaches to “see” and validate large unmet needs, “solve” them initially on a small scale, and “scale” over the long term for maximum impact.
The author’s definition of entrepreneurship entails solving problems “without regard to the resources currently controlled.” This makes the approach applicable to anyone anywhere. Professor Warshay has taught the process to lots of interesting people, companies, and institutions globally. Firsthand stories, strong interdisciplinary references and well-chosen Harvard case studies bring the entrepreneurial process to life, all of which make the book engaging and impactful.
Personally, I have seen Professor Warshay’s entrepreneurial process workshops transform for-profit and nonprofit organizations on whose Boards of Directors I served.
The process works.
I recommend you buy a copy and “See” for yourself.
The book articulates the proven process Brown University Professor of Entrepreneurship Danny Warshay teaches to “see” and validate large unmet needs, “solve” them initially on a small scale, and “scale” over the long term for maximum impact.
The author’s definition of entrepreneurship entails solving problems “without regard to the resources currently controlled.” This makes the approach applicable to anyone anywhere. Professor Warshay has taught the process to lots of interesting people, companies, and institutions globally. Firsthand stories, strong interdisciplinary references and well-chosen Harvard case studies bring the entrepreneurial process to life, all of which make the book engaging and impactful.
Personally, I have seen Professor Warshay’s entrepreneurial process workshops transform for-profit and nonprofit organizations on whose Boards of Directors I served.
The process works.
I recommend you buy a copy and “See” for yourself.
November 6, 2022
so let’s start with the good things!!
- really unique & refreshing pov
- doesn’t bash aspiring entrepreneurs by boxing them into specific stereotypes: u need to be type A to succeed blabla
- helps you reshape your mindset on how to (1) how to find a good problem, (2) how to solve it
- encourages you to solve problems from an innovative pov instead of noticing what is already been done
- really good way to shift your mind from collecting data -> innovative mindset
however, you can only get the most out of this book if you have been through the entrepreneurship cycle. bc it talks abt scaling a team, term sheets, etc. so the advice is only applicable if you have started your own thing. i would re-read this book in the event that i do and revisit my ratings
there are a lot of biz books that tell you why a company succeeded/failed and i think it is a cheat bc doing a post mortem analysis is always easy. this book talks abt companies under the lens of different phases. so for that reason i give it a higher rating than i feel the book should get
- really unique & refreshing pov
- doesn’t bash aspiring entrepreneurs by boxing them into specific stereotypes: u need to be type A to succeed blabla
- helps you reshape your mindset on how to (1) how to find a good problem, (2) how to solve it
- encourages you to solve problems from an innovative pov instead of noticing what is already been done
- really good way to shift your mind from collecting data -> innovative mindset
however, you can only get the most out of this book if you have been through the entrepreneurship cycle. bc it talks abt scaling a team, term sheets, etc. so the advice is only applicable if you have started your own thing. i would re-read this book in the event that i do and revisit my ratings
there are a lot of biz books that tell you why a company succeeded/failed and i think it is a cheat bc doing a post mortem analysis is always easy. this book talks abt companies under the lens of different phases. so for that reason i give it a higher rating than i feel the book should get
February 1, 2023
Solid book with great examples throughout.
My 3 main takaways:
1. Instead of top-down research, do bottom-up research. Get out in the field and identify the problem firsthand, rather than just relying on the research done that is public and everyone else with bigger and better resources already also has access to. Find a unique perspective and insight that no one else has.
2. Get an outsider's view. Being too close to how things have always been done can make you blind to innovation. Thus, having someone ask the 'stupid' questions about why something is done the way it is and why can't it be done another way can be the best way to surface an innovative solution to a problem.
3. Diversity makes the A-team. Working with a stranger can prove more successful than working with a friend/family member. However, true diversity can only be taken advantage of if you leverage the unique differences of the team members. If you focus on the commonalities, you're squandering the opportunity of utilizing diverse abilities and insights.
My 3 main takaways:
1. Instead of top-down research, do bottom-up research. Get out in the field and identify the problem firsthand, rather than just relying on the research done that is public and everyone else with bigger and better resources already also has access to. Find a unique perspective and insight that no one else has.
2. Get an outsider's view. Being too close to how things have always been done can make you blind to innovation. Thus, having someone ask the 'stupid' questions about why something is done the way it is and why can't it be done another way can be the best way to surface an innovative solution to a problem.
3. Diversity makes the A-team. Working with a stranger can prove more successful than working with a friend/family member. However, true diversity can only be taken advantage of if you leverage the unique differences of the team members. If you focus on the commonalities, you're squandering the opportunity of utilizing diverse abilities and insights.
April 30, 2022
Entrepreneurial Process professor and founder/director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Brown University, Danny Warshay, explains the process for creating and implementing a successful business. According to Warshay, becoming a successful entrepreneur does not require a business or technical degree, but rather just a good idea and the process (which he explains) to follow it through. Indeed, he argues, those with backgrounds in liberal arts are better prepared to be entrepreneurs than those who study business.
This is an easy-to-read guide with very logical explanations. The chapters are broken down into sections, many with anecdotes about successful entrepreneurs and their journeys to success. As the title indicates, there are three major steps to the entrepreneurial process: See, Solve, and Scale.
I finished the book several weeks ago and am still not an entrepreneur, but that doesn't mean the next reader won't be. #SeeSolveScale #NetGalley
This is an easy-to-read guide with very logical explanations. The chapters are broken down into sections, many with anecdotes about successful entrepreneurs and their journeys to success. As the title indicates, there are three major steps to the entrepreneurial process: See, Solve, and Scale.
I finished the book several weeks ago and am still not an entrepreneur, but that doesn't mean the next reader won't be. #SeeSolveScale #NetGalley
February 23, 2022
This books is a MUST READ for anyone seeking to build impactful innovation, whether in a start-up, as a leader within a larger enterprise, in a non-profit or in government. Prof. Warshay's methodology for entrepreneurship applies to all of these settings. Entrepreneurship, Prof Warshay demonstrates, is a science. And this book is a step-by-step guide. Successful entrepreneurs will see in this book a retelling of what they did right. Would-be entrepreneurs will have a roadmap. Business leaders may find the missing link between where they are now and where they could be with the right help. Danny is the most popular professor at Brown University for a reason. And now, we all have an opportunity to peak into his famous course and become inspired to go forth and "see, solve" and "scale."
September 26, 2022
This is a fantastic book about teaching entrepreneurship as a methodology, not an ideology. Danny Warshay takes a no-nonsense approach to entrepreneurship. He rightfully points out that we tend to talk about entrepreneurs or entrepreneurship as if it is a mystical, unattainable reality -- a special gift, given only to a select few. We don't talk about a "spirit of bridge-building," Danny writes, so why do we talk about a "spirit of entrepreneurship"?
I thoroughly enjoyed his three-part structure and how this could be used to tackle all sorts of problems or needs. Highly recommended, even for those who aren't sure if they have a "spirit of bridge building." You do; we can all see, solve, and scale.
I thoroughly enjoyed his three-part structure and how this could be used to tackle all sorts of problems or needs. Highly recommended, even for those who aren't sure if they have a "spirit of bridge building." You do; we can all see, solve, and scale.
March 24, 2022
I received an audiobook ARC of See, Solve, Scale on NetGalley. The author outlines a very methodical approach to entrepreneurship applicable to many scenarios, big or small. I thought the content was very interesting especially hearing about how some now well-known start-up got their start. The narration by the author itself was also great, the only thing I didn't like was how some of what would be boxes in text broke the listening mood. Overall this a book anyone who is interested in entrepreneurship will find illuminating.
August 10, 2023
I think people give this book a lot of hype because Warshay is clearly a popular professor at Brown and has taught a lot of students that have gone on to found popular companies (Honest Tea, Casper, etc). However, I didn't find much of the content to be that original and the numerous examples from his former students and HBS case studies often belabored the point. I will caveat that my opinion is biased -- I have reservations about today's philosophy of entrepreneurship -- and for people with little/no knowledge of startups this book could be a good starting point.
March 7, 2022
This book will definitely become the go-to title for entrepreneurship. Warshay uses a combination of academic research, case studies, and teaching experience to detail his See, Solve, Scale approach. With an MBA, as well as startup and VC experience, my advance copy became seriously dog-eared. I enjoyed every page and would recommend to all.
March 23, 2022
I can’t praise this masterpiece enough. See, Solve, Scale is a gift to the startup world. It’s an absolute must read and I put it in my top 3 or 4 business books of all time. Danny is so gifted in the way he distills down decades of experience into a very easy to understand and enjoyable manual. It’s a book you carefully place on the bookshelf for easy access to reference later on.
January 13, 2024
Good, interesting model. But not very applicable in some parts.
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