The case for solving problems sideways - 29 May 2026
This week's thread
We tend to tackle problems head-on. If sales are down, we run a discount. If a behaviour persists, we try to ban it. This directness can be a mistake. The most elegant solutions are often indirect. They don't outlaw the problem, they change the conditions that allow it to thrive. They work on the context, not just the action.
This week, we look at three examples of solving problems sideways: a licence plate that uses social pressure to curb avoidance, a national lottery that is really a tax tool, and a pricing strategy designed to stop theft.
Thread ONE
South Korean company cars
South Korea is tackling tax avoidance on luxury company cars with a simple visual cue. Instead of complex audits, any corporate car over a certain value must now use a conspicuous bright green licence plate. The policy makes private use of the cars publicly obvious, creating a social cost for a previously hidden perk.
Why it matters
Solve a problem by making the undesirable behaviour visible and socially awkward.
Thread TWO
Taiwan lottery receipt
To combat widespread tax evasion from businesses not issuing receipts, the Taiwanese government turned every receipt into a lottery ticket. This new incentive meant customers suddenly had a reason to demand a receipt for every purchase. The system drastically improved tax compliance without adding punitive enforcement.
Why it matters
Change behaviour by giving the public a selfish reason to enforce the rules for you.
Thread THREE
99p
The .99 price tag is widely seen as a psychological trick, but its origin is operational. It was introduced to force cashiers to open the register to give customers change. This simple act created a record of the sale and prevented staff from pocketing the cash from the transaction.
Why it matters
Sometimes, look for an operational fix to a behavioural problem.
From the archive
Oxo tower
A classic example of solving a problem sideways, this time with architecture. When advertising on the Thames was banned, Oxo built its logo into the tower's windows.
Continue the thread
What's the best sideways solution you've ever seen?
Reply with the best example you've seen. I read every response, and the best ones often end up on Uncommon Thread.
Keep pulling the thread