Lead with the problem. Let the prospect know you know about their problem. Try it and see where the conversation leads.
I think SDRs have been misguided. Here's why: They are coached to focus on booking demos as opposed to virtue signaling to the prospect that they understand their deepest, darkest business challenges. It's hard to be an SDR; the superficial reason you all exist is to book demos. Ideally, highly qualified demos. How often does that happen? Maybe a lot if you have supreme product market fit and huge a brand behind you. But so many SDR teams struggle to make meaningful impacts for their companies. I see too many bogus demos with unwilling prospects. The cure: try this --> In every first email line or opening hook/pitch, let the prospect know that you know their problem. "But what if they don't have the problem we solve for" --> Chickens always come home to roost. You can either save your credibility for later with the prospect or push the bogus demo now. But you only get so many of those until management can't afford to turn the other way. Lead with the problem.