Ideas, Rabbits and Management
Triggering title. Don’t you think? How all these are connected? This article is divided into three sections/stages! And there is one more, the fourth one, which is the bonus stage! If you pass all the three stages you will find out how to download a free EBook! So, let’s start!
Ideas
As I am Greek I can’t resist the temptation to refer to Plato, the father of Ideas’ concept. Plato attributed three (3) qualities in the Idea concept: unity, immutability and perfection. Thus he attributed to it [idea’s concept] a transcendental existence independent of the human senses. Ideas constitute a world of superable archetypes and the existing reality meets all our dreams for perfection equally to all the realms of nature, art, morality and knowledge.
In other words … An Idea is pure energy that is everywhere and humans derive this energy, “download” ideas and then this energy is transformed to other forms … products and / or services.
Rabbits
But how some people “download” many ideas and some other not?
The renowned writer and Nobel laureate author John Steinbeck once wrote:
Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple, learn how to manage and pretty soon you have a dozen!”
You also know the hat-trick that many magicians perform! They produce rabbits out of an apparently empty top hat and they impress their audience.
But is it enough to have many ideas? Is it enough to know how to produce one idea out of the bloom and to know the way of multiplying it?
In the real business world this could be translated as follows: is it enough to “download” many ideas and to know how to multiply them and produce many products/services? Is it enough in order to impress your audience, the market and generate value?
Management
Research has shown that 90% of start-ups, especially those dealing with technology, fail even if they had good ideas. Why is that?
Taking into consideration the research data and in order the above mentioned questions to be answered I had an idea! J I developed a framework called “Idea Management Framework” aiming at helping others to manage their ideas! It is referred to the Journey of an Idea from its conception to its implementation, its “translation” into a product/service and its spread all over the world. This is a long and difficult journey, with many variations. But it is challenging with a lot of suspense. This Journey can be considered as a process. A process which in order to lead us to the desired result should be governed by norms arising not only by the mind but also by the heart. Mind is thinking but the heart is the source of the authentic creation. The archetype, the guide and ally in this journey is Nature which teaches us the harmony.
This framework is segmented into four (4) phases which are complementary and non-linear so as to be able to support General Managers, Entrepreneurs and all the people that constitute organizations to simplify it and to be able to manage their ideas effectively having as guide their own Vantage Angle! It has been derived by integrating my scientific and experiential knowledge. From my experiences in various professional and non-professional fields. It has emerged by combining my dots with Nature’s dots.
The four (4) phases are:
Idea Development: the phase during which every idea is reflected in the paper, it takes shape and is integrated into a business model that generates value and defines our modus operandi.
Idea Enhancement: the transition from the Idea’s configuration to Idea’s implementation demands the existence of capable people that have the qualities of a General Manager. This is the phase during which human resources evolves so as to be able to monitor every aspect, to have the ability to respond to change and to take the appropriate risks. This is the phase during which experiential education takes place.
Idea Implementation: the implementation of any idea is a dynamic process. It consists of several sub-projects which are complementary and non-linear. The implementation is not completed with the production of a product / service. It continues as the product / service is alive and creates value. This is the phase where Project Management’s basic principles and best practices are applied.
Idea Pitching: the transformation of an Idea into a product/service is a great achievement. But it’s not complete. If it isn’t promoted in the right way in the world then nobody will know about it and therefore the idea will not generate value. Thus, Idea Pitching phase is as essential as the other three.
So, it is not enough just to think that we have a good idea. This should be reflected in the paper, to take shape and be integrated into a business model that creates value and designates our modus operandi. It takes time, patience, perseverance, focus and dedication. Simultaneously, however, requires the existence of the necessary knowledge and partners.
Let’s put some magic in Management! Let’s become hat-trick performers producing ideas that generate value and impress people’s hearts!
Bonus!!!
Congrats! You have passed all the stages! Here is your “return on your investment”!
Test your skills in Idea Management! Download the Free EBook: «Your Idea’s Journey: A Guidebook of 29 Questions which will help you manage your Ideas effectively and find your Vantage Angle”.
Dimitra Zervaki, EMBA, PMP, TTT