The Main Reason Business Ideas Fail

It is no secret, 'the world is changing'.

Blink and everything is different. It’s also no secret that ideas are instrumental in adapting to change and, in many cases, instigating it. So why then aren’t more organizations more successful in generating viable, ‘outside the box’ ideas?

In a survey we conducted, we unearthed the biggest barrier to creativity in an organization is Risk Aversion! Not lack of talent.

Right now your competitors are coming up with ideas.  Think about it. As you read this they are probably brainstorming how to better connect with their clients, how to invent the next new product, and how to streamline their systems to get a more competitive edge…over you.

To outgun them, just having ideas isn’t the answer - you need to have OUTSTANDING ideas. You need to stop playing safe and generate ideas that drive your business forward, because having adequate business ideas won’t get you to the next level. You need to push past adequate and obvious and come up with game-changers!

How do you do that? Here are three practical strategies you can put in place right now as first step to overcoming Risk Aversion in your business.

Give Permission:

Give your people (and yourself) permission to think more creatively, take creative risks, and seek out fresh and unique possibilities. Give them permission to go past adequate and safe, because your people won’t generate brilliant business ideas unless they feel a supportive environment where you give them permission to do so.

Judge later:

The biggest mistake when generating new ideas is evaluating and judging them too quickly. Ideas need to evolve, they need to be explored, massaged, pulled apart and tinkered with. If you judge an idea the instant it appears, you will kill it. So judge and evaluate business ideas after you’ve explored them. And only then!

Train Your Brain:

One thing I know from working on the ideas front-line most of my life, is that people who have outstanding ideas are always having ideas. Sounds simple right? It is. It’s simple, not easy. Coming up with profitable business ideas isn’t just a matter of turning on and off the ‘idea’ switch when you need it. You need to be constantly practicing and doing. Your brain is like a muscle, train it!

Allocate a small space in your daily routine to come up with a least 3 ideas on various aspects of your business (or life!). It will build your creative muscle like a physical reflex and when you need it, it will be there for you.

Be OUTSTANDING!

Courtesy: thinkativity.com