Idea Strategy and Keeping The Best
Strategy is often cited as one of the most significant factors for success. Certainly, strategy is important, without it people and teams tend to hop from one thing to the next often without any focus. How do you manage the best ideas? Do you have an idea strategy?
It Starts Early
It probably starts for us at a very young age. We keep what we want and we throw away what we don’t.
Your mother or father told you to eat your vegetables, but you may have discarded them, hoping to never see them again.
It may have happened with the coolest t-shirt, the hottest sneakers, or even trends with how we style our hair.
We keep what may be popular, what seems to fit in, or what makes a great new statement. Anything else would seem ridiculous.
As grown adults in the workforce we must navigate political climates, generational challenges, and closely monitor our career path. Does this affect what you or the team decide to do about strategy?
Idea Strategy
The choices often become about keep or throw away. It is a debate of the idea, the concept and interpretation of what will work. It may be about what is trending, hot, or the competition is now exploring.
We attend meetings and strategy sessions. Sometimes we leave there thinking, “Didn’t we suggest that during the last meeting?” or “Didn’t we bring up a few months ago?”
When ideas are thrown away, it may only be temporary. Perhaps instead of throwing them away we need an idea strategy. A method to keep them close at hand. In this case ideas are only set aside for this circumstance, at this time.
Is There Proof?
I remember my great aunt in the early 1980’s suggesting she should have kept her shoes from the 1920’s, the style was popular again.
Who would have thought you could grow to love peas, lima beans, and broccoli?
In grade school I could have never have imagined that shaving your head may one day become cool.
For strategy, keep all the ideas close at hand. Even the bad ones. What may be a bad idea today could be the hottest trend tomorrow.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, #CustServ The Customer Service Culture, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
