Steps to Making Your Ideas Successful
By Donald W.R. Allen,II (Donny) VP, Twin City Business
It is common to have an idea.
Turning that idea in to a function action takes a total understanding about what is you want, the players involved and do you, the one with the idea have the CAPACITY to make it work.
“In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later”.
Harold S. Geneen
Step 1: Research
I’ve seen many “idea men” wake up in the morning and decide that they want to create or start a business or something they think is new without consulting others experienced in the area of the idea. This leads to total “winging it”. Take the advice of the folks that have done it, successful or not and customize your idea so that failure is never an option.
“Remind people that profit is the difference between revenue and expense. This makes you look smart”.
Scott Adams
Step 2: Are you the Meet & Greet Type?
One of the worse things that can happen to a start-up business or “idea” is that the person representing the idea is not taken seriously or has rubbed the community in which he/she has done business in the wrong way. The Twin Cities is a small business community – doing great local and national business. The folks you might have “wronged” here locally might be responsible for that business loan, grant or charitable capital funding to your “idea”. Be careful and always consider stepping back and joining forces with TEAM of folks who like your idea and feel passionate as you and would agree to help the idea along. Being the “front person” is not important if you understand what it is your trying do.
Step 3: Doing Business
I just received and email from a grad student giving some great advice to a group of folks from a non-profit start-up where one of the board members had went “rebel”, somebody who chooses to live outside laws or conventions in regards to process, actions and information to the Board. One of the many things this student said is, “Simply put, “If you don’t document it. Then you didn’t do it.” We have to learn that a paper trail in the electronic age can help you, by having one – or hang you by not having a paper trail.
I like to use “DAIC” – Develop, Adopt, Instruct, and Collaborate. “DAIC” insures that the “team” is all on the same page. Think-tanking ideas to DEVELOP the approach; then ADOPTING the approach; INSTRUCTING the “team” on the variables of the approach with problem solving models, spin reports, competition, understanding you in the marketplace and then COLLABORATING with others outside the collective to understand your place in the “Business Food Chain”.
Example: Twin City Business, the Twin Cities #1 Internet Marketing Company does not bring any dollars or profit to the table. What brings profit to TCB is the relationship we have with our existing clients, what we have to offer new clients and the attraction of having the best customer service team that will micro-manage each account to assure 100% satisfaction while exceeding our new and existing expectations.
Not everyone is going to business with you or your idea.
For many reasons folks don’t like doing business with people they are not comfortable with, be it the color of your suit or what you are wearing or the way you walk, this is sometimes out of our control.
“Profit in business comes from repeat customers, customers that boast about your project or service, and that bring friends with them”.
W. Edwards Deming
Step 4: Evaluate (Self/Idea)
Looking at the man/woman in the mirror is an important part of success. Ask yourself, “Did I make a 100% effort to be cordial & diplomatic when dealing with my team and potential clients”? “What is one or two things I can do better tomorrow”? “Did anyone I talked with seem disillusioned about me or the idea, and did I explain fully to the best of my knowledge my idea and what I actually want?”
Summary
By using these steps you might decide that this idea might be better by collaborating with someone who has completed the idea before to successful outcomes. On the other hand you might think to step back and start over. The business person who understands that pulling back to reorganize does not mean failure – but an attempt to move in a direction that will be successful.
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