The trouble with so many people today, is that they catch onto an idea, any idea that seems good at the time, then run with it without proper consideration or planning. This relates to all people in every walk of life.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a salesperson with a new idea to build your existing territory; a successful executive planning for your retirement years; a home-maker with a new way of bringing up your children; a mechanic with a more streamlined concept for fuel-injection; a budding writer with the script for a new book; or any one of a million people who are consumed with something better, brighter, bigger or more innovative that everyone upon the face of this earth would benefit from if only you could find a way of fine-turning it, developing it, financing it, manufacturing it, or implementing it.
My advice is. Don’t fall in love with it until you’ve given it due consideration; thought it through from both the positive and negative angles and then thoroughly checked out as much of the opposition with similar products. So many people believe they have an original because you and their best friend have not seen it marketed before even though someone else had the idea before and failed with it.
That wonderfully “original idea” had probably been thought of and trialled hundreds of times before without success. But the worst part is, today’s latest “inventor” would even be staggered to learn of the number of people that invested time, money and even bought in experts before they abandoned it, shelved it or found it too hard to make it “happen” for them in the real world.
Here are some Suggested Ways to Find Out What to Do Next
First of all, check the market thoroughly before you invest in your idea. Even hire experts to check on your behalf they will probably take a fraction of the time you will and in the long run save you in just about every area imaginable.
Secondly, if the market place is wide open, bring in the expertise of specialist consultants. Most original ideas are generally born with a multitude of imperfections. Time, effort and discipline will be needed to make the idea marketable – and sometimes you’ll never get there.
Thirdly, if in time you fall in love with it, you may never want to let it die a natural death because you’ve now got emotionally involved with the idea. Lasting business ideas aren’t built on emotion, they’re built on logic, facts, market trends and the like. However, emotion becomes the most powerful of drivers once the product needs to be sold.
Don’t Just Love Your Idea – Reserve Your Love for Other People
If you want to love, reserve your love for other people – it pay better dividends. And after all this, if you still feel you must pursue it, contemplate all the things that will stand in your way. That’s not pessimism – that’s being realistic. Then, if the concept still feels good go for it! But make sure you are aware of the effort and the staying power that will be needed before you start.
You must pursue your project with determination, enthusiasm and a resolve that you will see it through to the bitter end. Anything less will be destructive to you, your family, your associates and your idea.
You’ll Need to Approach Everything in a Business Manner
Realize that most businesses fail because they are undercapitalized than for any other reason. In any new business it is impossible to predict all the problems you will encounter.
You’ll need to write a business plan, figure a realistic projection, then make sure you have the ability to raise twice the money you’ve projected for. You’ll probably need it. Then, once you feel every point is in place, and you still believe it’s doable, go for it, chances are you’ll succeed. But if you have the slightest doubt, shelve the idea. Its not worth the heartache.
By now you may be thinking, “I’m not thinking about investing hundreds or thousands or even tens of thousands. All I want is to make my sales territory more productive.” Then, the same formula applies to you too. Don’t fall in love with anything until you’ve thought it through in a positive as well as negative light. Remember, others have probably already thought that same idea through and may have abandoned it way before you even thought of it.
Try This Simple Check-List before you Move any Further
- Do whatever market testing you need to and do them as thoroughly as you can. Once completed, then seek advice from the experts.
- Don’t discuss the idea with your peers and ask for their opinion. They’ll probably tell you what you want to hear, or may try and destroy the idea because they didn’t think of it first. If it’s a product go to a specialist. If it’s work related and you want to get something new underway, set up an appointment with your immediate superior, with the view that if he or she like the ides you will both set up an appointment with someone higher up that may be able to give more than advice. They may suggest some financial assistance for more tools of trade, presentation or promotional ideas that will help make it work. At the very least they could help you work out the imperfections.
- Once others have given you their blessing, it’s time to start work on ways to take things to the next level. You may need to secure a special budget to pursue it realistically. Your new ideas could include additional items such as brochures, give-away merchandise, trade shows and so on. Above all, remember if its not costed properly it will have less chance of success.
Then once you understand how things work, apply the same formula (with the same check-list) in every new endeavour you undertake, no matter how big or low small. The more preliminary work you do, the faster you’ll find your levels of success will increase. And to succeed at something new is all you wanted to do the first place – wasn’t it?.
This Article is by Peter Collins – In a sales career spanning more than 50 years, Peter Collins has focused on helping and bringing out the best in others – whether it involves training or mentoring salespeople, managers, business consulting to SME’s. Since the 1970’s Peter has built a reputation as a Nationally and Internationally Published author, and has 65 books to his credit, but he is mainly known for one book based on the Audio Tape series of the same name, Over 50 Ways of Closing the Sale. In his personal life, Peter has been sought after as an encourager and motivator that has given of his time and talents freely despite his busy schedule. Subsequently, he has assisted churches, pastors, community and charity groups, as well as individuals through his teaching, training, development and on-going mentoring.
Peter can be contacted through his website – profitmakersales.com