In today’s technologically advanced environment, it’s important to remember the most influential innovations of our history all began with a mere idea. However, most business leaders and entrepreneurs can attest that they didn’t climb the success ladder all alone.
Great ideas are the product of a collaboration; including external influences, intuition, and problem solving. It’s one thing to have a great idea, it’s another to take those ideas and execute on them. Here’s some useful guidance on how to bring your ideas to life.
Research
Before you invest time and money into your idea, it’s crucial to do your research. This might entail gathering supporting data on the topic, or conducting market research to find out what your target audience is most interested in. It may also mean researching your competition to find out what works or does not work for them. Gathering supporting evidence will add credibility to your idea, so be sure to look for expert sources.
Brainstorm
No great idea was ever cultivated on a whim. Instead, it takes creativity, fresh ideas and brainstorming to aid in the success of your efforts. As fresh ideas are hard to find, bouncing ideas off of other people can help you get the creative juices flowing. Keep in mind, those ideas may not even be viable, but as you brainstorm together your ideas may evolve into something that is fresh and effective. Never forget the power of combining your thoughts with others.
Embrace opportunity
In business, if you’re not ready to take risks head on then you’re not ready to succeed. Your idea can only come to fruition if you’re ready to embrace the opportunities that are in front of you and turn it into something you can grow from.
For example, In 1981, Toronto’s John Fielding turned a small business idea into a large conglomerate known today as Array Marketing. Fielding, a hockey player, began to focus on a new career in business and concentrated on distributing promotional marketing items. He used this experience to grasp every possible opportunity that came his way, eventually turning the business into the success that it would become.
Sell your vision
Entrepreneur Glenn Llopis says, “Converting your idea into a reality requires you to help others understand your vision. Selling vision is much like selling change.”
At this point, there needs to be a passing of the torch between the ideation to execution. This is why it is important to get everyone who supports your vision on board and in support of the next steps. In this final stage, your idea has gone through the proper channels to really make it successful. Now it’s time to step back and watch your idea become the reality it was meant to be all along.
