Good Idea, Now What?: How To Move Ideas To Execution

Description

Proven pathways for taking ideas to implementation We all have ideas--things we want to do or create--but only some of us will do what it takes to see those ideas come to pass. In Good Idea. Now What? readers will discover some of the essential values and principles that guide successful idea-makers, including the leveraging of mixed environments for creativity, working through resistance and setbacks, developing a practical plan for implementation that works, navigating collaborative opportunities, and communicating your idea to make it truly remarkable. Whether you're just a creative type, or the leader of an organization, you must figure out a creative process and develop an infrastructure for implementing your ideas. Good Idea. Now What? offers systematic advice for moving your ideas to execution. It will show you:* The fundamental elements of a good idea* Tangible pathways to follow after initial inspiration* The importance of branding and its impact on ideas* Practical advice for developing a loyal tribe of supporters who will take your idea to a whole new level It's not enough to be inspired.
Learn how to follow through on your ideas and discover how great an impact you can have!

Author description

Charles T. Lee is the CEO of Ideation Consultancy Inc., an idea agency that specializes in helping influencers, organizations, and businesses take ideas to implementation via creative strategy, branding, design, marketing, web, social media, and events. Charles is also a founding member of JustOne, an organization innovating ideas for human care. In addition, he is the creator of grassroots efforts including the Ideation Conference and the Freeze Project. Charles is a highly sought-after speaker and blogs regularly at www.charlestlee.com.

Table of contents

Preface: Born into a Legacy of Idea Makers xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction: Idea Lovers versus Idea Makers xv Who Is This Book For? xv How Does This Book Work? xvi The Business of Good Ideas xvii A Conversation over Coffee xvii PART 1 Where Do Good Ideas Come From? 1 CHAPTER 1 Strategy or Chance? 3 CHAPTER 2 Ideas in the Midst 5 Wisdom from the Streets 6 Spatial Distance? 7 CHAPTER 3 My Need for Need 9 CHAPTER 4 Medici Changed My Life 11 The Medici Tweet? 12 CHAPTER 5 Don't Settle for Good 15 PART 2 Life after Inspiration 19 CHAPTER 6 Addicted to Inspiration 21 CHAPTER 7 What Plan? 25 Passion Unrealized 25 CHAPTER 8 Dig a Little Deeper 29 The Dreaded Business Plan 29 Wisdom from Wade 30 A Few Questions for Idea Makers 31 CHAPTER 9 Ideas Don't Work; You Do! 33 Bootstrapping for Project 7 35 Become a Bootstrapper! 36 CHAPTER 10 Choose Family 37 PART 3 Overcoming Creative Resistance 41 CHAPTER 11 Wipe Your Nos and Buts 43 A Prehistoric Brain 44 CHAPTER 12 The Dreaded Look Inside 47 CHAPTER 13 Disturbance in the Force 51 Bringing It Home 52 CHAPTER 14 Hear Me Out 55 The Other Side of the Coin (Practicing What We Preach) 56 PART 4 Paving a Creative Pathway 59 CHAPTER 15 No Escape Clause 61 CHAPTER 16 Got Rhythm? 65 CHAPTER 17 Don't Just Add; Multiply 69 A Wandering Generality 69 The Bad News ... 70 Discovering the Power of Focus 72 CHAPTER 18 I Can See It! 75 More Than Digital 76 CHAPTER 19 Press Pause 79 Your Life Needs Space as Well 80 Emergency Room Counseling 81 Putting on the Breaks! 82 PART 5 Elements for Idea Making 1 85 CHAPTER 20 The Art of Evolution 87 CHAPTER 21 DNA or R&D? 89 CHAPTER 22 Risk (Overrated!) 93 CHAPTER 23 The Miracle of Writing and Waiting 97 CHAPTER 24 Think Multiple, Not Perfect 101 Spaghetti Sauce Lessons 102 PART 6 Elements for Idea Making 2 105 CHAPTER 25 Simple 107 CHAPTER 26 Quality, Quality, Quality 111 CHAPTER 27 The F Word 115 CHAPTER 28 Under Pressure 119 CHAPTER 29 Dealing with Setbacks 125 Changing the World through Shoes 125 CHAPTER 30 Beat the Tribal Drum 129 PART 7 The Work of Collaboration 133 CHAPTER 31 Myths 135 Myth 1: Collaboration Just Happens on Its Own 136 Myth 2: Collaboration Is Intuitive for Everyone 136 Myth 3: Collaboration Is an Act of Lightening the Workload 136 Myth 4: Collaboration Is a One-Size-Fits-All Endeavor 137 Myth 5: Collaboration Is about Finding the Right Technological Tools 137 CHAPTER 32 Human: The X Factor 139 CHAPTER 33 I Need It! 143 An Organization Created in Collaboration 144 CHAPTER 34 Do You Trust Me? 147 CHAPTER 35 Fight Club 153 CHAPTER 36 The Hire 159 PART 8 Getting Out There! 165 CHAPTER 37 Why Brand Matters 167 A Practical Guide to Branding 169 CHAPTER 38 A Personal Brand? 171 Accidental Lessons about Personal Branding 173 CHAPTER 39 The Pitch 175 An Idea Worth Sharing 180 CHAPTER 40 Life in a Digital Age 183 Conclusion 191 A Note about Failure 192 Recommendations for Further Reading 195 About the Author 199 Index 201