Totally agree, they went in presenting a problem and not a solution, to the wrong bunch of people.
Nobody wants to hear that, even if it's true, and even more so if it affects the company's bottom line.
There's two ways I see they might have worked around the issue. The fundamental problem with the project might not be workable, but firstly reaching out for a private chat with some of the participants would have shown the likely reaction in advance. Secondly, re-framing it as a solution space, might get more people to buy in.
Nobody wants to hear that, even if it's true, and even more so if it affects the company's bottom line.
There's two ways I see they might have worked around the issue. The fundamental problem with the project might not be workable, but firstly reaching out for a private chat with some of the participants would have shown the likely reaction in advance. Secondly, re-framing it as a solution space, might get more people to buy in.