The CEO sitting across the table shifted in his seat.
He was tackling a problem in his community, and his nonprofit start-up was introducing a new approach. Unfortunately, they weren’t getting traction as fast as he’d hoped.
But when I said their innovative approach was a “big idea” that justified getting a solid strategy in place, he seemed uncomfortable.
“That sounds a little too ambitious. We’re not creating seismic shifts or changing the world. We’re just trying to help kids,” he said humbly.
When it comes to innovation and strategy, we often think of complex BIG ideas that disrupt the world. The internet. The human genome project. Artificial intelligence.
But when we are just innovating in our own backyard, and the focus is smaller — we somehow downplay it.
The truth is, BIG ideas start with a SMALL idea.
- Dr. Jim Shaw realized too many people in his Virginia community couldn’t afford medical care. So, he and his wife had a “small idea” in 1995: to start a free medical clinic one night a week in the basement of their church. It has evolved into the Lackey Clinic, a thriving 10,000-square-foot nonprofit medical facility housing 30 staff and hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers providing uniquely integrated wellness support.
- While traveling in Argentina in 2006, Blake Mycoskie observed a lot of children without shoes. His “small idea” was that for every pair of shoes he sold, he would donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. This simple idea grew into TOMS, a global brand known for its “One for One” giving model, expanding beyond shoes to eyewear and coffee.
- Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky couldn’t afford the rent for their San Francisco apartment. Their “small idea” in 2007 was to raise money by renting out air mattresses to travelers coming to town for a sold-out conference and desperate for a place to stay. Their small idea evolved into Airbnb, a global platform connecting hosts with travelers, revolutionizing the hospitality industry.
How do “SMALL ideas” become “BIG ideas”?
By getting the strategic fundamentals right.
Working with startups can be exciting — whether they are businesses, charitable nonprofits, or faith-based organizations. Their leadership teams and boards have an excitement and urgency to get GOING.
But getting traction quickly requires you to answer some basic questions:
• WHY? What problem do you solve? For whom? What’s the outcome?
• WHO? Do people understand how they can help? And do they want to?
• WHY YOU? Do people understand why they should choose you over others?
• HOW? Is your idea tested? What works and doesn’t as things change?
• WHAT IF? Are you ready for bumps in the road? Prepared to adapt?
Addressing these fundamentals up front will help you manage the risks and get traction faster for your “small idea.”
The good news is that these questions are relevant as you scale! As you go through the different stages (from discovery to start-up to breakeven to sustainable to scaling even further), these questions can inform your strategy and help you adapt.
So, never be embarrassed or apologetic that your “big idea” starts small.
Once you get the fundamentals in place you can buckle up and enjoy the ride as your “small idea” changes the world!
Welcome your thoughts —
Susan
This article is part of my newsletter, “Driving a New Direction,” to equip and energize leaders with practical ways to move forward, whether you’re leading a new strategy or getting one back on track. Subscribe if you’d like insights like this once or twice a month.
Explore my website to learn more about how you might leverage our De-Risk System for Impact℠ workshops, and about my upcoming book “FastTrack Your Big Idea: De-Risk, Align People, and Communicate Your Strategy to Speed Results.” Or let’s connect!
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