I Have an Idea. Now What?
June 9, 2009 at 4:32 am 2 comments
Having a great idea is not going to help your career growth. Executing the idea will. However, very few people have the initiative to not only think, but also do. I wonder why people are so inert?! Perhaps it’s because school taught us too much theory and not enough practice and, now, so many of us are faced with this internal conversation:
Your Optimistic Self: “Ah, awesome! This is a great idea! Let’s do this!”
Your Pessimistic Self: “Oh, but I don’t even know where to begin. Ahh, it’s too hard. Forget it.”
Your Optimistic Self: “Ok. There will be another time!”
I believe this happens not because of laziness but of fear of taking the first steps when you don’t even know what those steps should be. I think it’s time to go back to the basics. And because I like step approaches to life, here is a 5-step approach on how to share and initiate your brilliant ideas in the workplace:
1. Flesh it out With a Colleague
It’s easy to get lost in your own thought, so it always helps to get a second opinion. Find a peer who understands the ins and outs of your company and ask for objective feedback and an honest opinion. Incorporate what you think fits with your objective.
2. Develop Your “Elevator Pitch”
Short and sweet. Get to the point.
3. Communicate to the Top
Take your “pitch” to a senior who is most likely to understand the value of the project. That’s why it’s always helpful to be aware of your colleagues’ responsibilities. Make sure that you can answer some basic questions and ask for other contacts that could contribute to the idea and its implementation.
At this stage, you should also propose assembling a team to begin working on the project.
4. Communicate to Your Peers
Once your idea is secured, you can begin raising interest among your peers and building a “winning team” (yes, I’m that cheesy). But remember to give credit to others for their contributions.
5. Communicate to the Top (Again)
Make sure to “iron your tie” for this one. Your idea needs to be simple and polished. Fancy power point presentations are not always necessary and sometimes a comprehensive memo will be sufficient. But make sure to ask for advice on how to incorporate the project with the company’s “big picture.”
The last step is implementing the idea, but that would make it a 6-step approach, which is a lot more intimidating. And so I leave it up to your genius to make it happen.
Entry filed under: 1, Social Networking. Tags: career, Development, Elevator Pitch, Ideas, Implementation, working smart.
1. Build confidence by selling yourself in 60 seconds or less | TalentEgg Career Incubator | June 19, 2009 at 4:04 pm
[...] The most important thing about a personal pitch is confidence in delivery. If you know yourself, your experiences and your qualifications, you can expand on anything they like, come across as impressive and leave them with a positive memory. Whether they hire you for the position, or remember you when a colleague is looking for a referral, if you believe in it, they will too. [...]
2. Build confidence by selling yourself in 60 seconds or less « internSHARE Blog | June 19, 2009 at 4:21 pm
[...] The most important thing about a personal pitch is confidence in delivery. If you know yourself, your experiences and your qualifications, you can expand on anything they like, come across as impressive and leave them with a positive memory. Whether they hire you for the position, or remember you when a colleague is looking for a referral, if you believe in it, they will too. [...]