At the heart of effective leadership lies a simple but profound principle: keeping the next problem, the next problem.
It’s about focusing on solving challenges in the most effective sequence, resisting the urge to jump ahead, and ensuring progress is both steady and sustainable.
“For many CEOs and business leaders, mastering this skill can make or break a business. Tackling problems out of order often leads to wasted resources, missed opportunities, and even failure.” said BDC’s Professor–of–Practice Pete Williams.
Yet, this critical skill—knowing what to fix first—is one of the toughest to teach, both in theory and in practice.
At Deakin’s Business Development Clinic (BDC), we’ve taken this challenge head-on by creating an experiential learning environment that allows students to step into the shoes of CEOs. Through a uniquely designed consulting program working with a business, students experience the daily decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities that leaders face.
Learning to Lead by Doing
BDC students start every project with a blank slate. Rather than being handed a problem to solve, they are tasked with assessing a business from the ground up. They dive deep into its operations, revenue streams, market positioning, and internal processes to uncover bottlenecks, growth gaps, and opportunities.
From there, students learn to prioritise challenges, ensuring they address the most pressing issues first—keeping the next problem, the next problem.
This disciplined approach builds two essential skills:
- diagnosing issues effectively, and
- determining the right sequence for solving them.
The Power of Experience
Unlike most WIL programs that focus on theoretical exercises or narrowly defined “consulting tasks”, the BDC program immerses students in the complexities of running a business. They gain hands-on experience in:
- Assessing revenue streams
- Identifying growth opportunities
- Diagnosing operational inefficiencies
- Evaluating market dynamics
- Prioritising business challenges
This industry experience doesn’t just teach strategy-informed decision making —it builds the ability to think like a leader. By focusing on one issue at a time, students not only deliver better outcomes for the businesses they work with but also practice their own strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
A Competitive Edge for Students
The skills students develop at the BDC aren’t just beneficial in the moment—they’re career-defining. Whether during job interviews, on their resumes, or in future leadership roles, this hands-on experience sets them apart. The ability to articulate how they’ve analysed real businesses, prioritised solutions, and contributed to tangible growth outcomes makes them highly competitive in the job market.
Preparing Future Leaders
At its core, the Deakin Business Development Clinic is about more than solving business problems—it’s about shaping tomorrow’s leaders. By giving students the opportunity to think and act like CEOs, we’re bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application.
Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about making the right decisions in the right order. At the BDC, students are not only learning to tackle business challenges—they’re mastering the art of keeping the next problem, the next problem. It’s a skill that will serve them well throughout their careers, and one we’re proud to cultivate at Deakin.