Influential Tactics to Secure Support for Your Brilliant Business Idea
Coming up with a brilliant business idea is just the first step towards success. To turn your idea into reality, you need the support and backing of others. Whether it’s convincing high-level executives or gaining the trust of colleagues, securing support is essential. In this article, we will explore some influential tactics shared by experienced business leaders to help you sell your great idea and garner the support you need.
One effective tactic mentioned by Lily Haake, head of technology and digital executive search at Harvey Nash, is the use of guerrilla tactics. Rather than resorting to manipulation, individuals who employ this approach are thoughtful and considerate in their interactions. They start by initiating a small proof of concept with one influential business leader to demonstrate the value of their idea. By leveraging this initial success, they then enlist the support of that leader to influence others within the organization. This stealth-like approach allows them to build a critical mass of supporters who are invested in the idea, increasing the chances of it being approved by the board.
Cathrine Levandowski, global head of operations at Quintessentially, emphasizes the importance of stakeholder management. When selling a great idea, it’s not enough to have the backing of just one stakeholder. Levandowski believes it is crucial to have champions across the business who feel a sense of ownership and involvement in the effort. She cites an example from her own company, describing how they successfully implemented Salesforce Marketing Cloud. To ensure the success of the implementation, her team spent time educating professionals from various departments about the benefits of the new technology. By involving them in the process and addressing their needs, they gained incredible champions across every department.
Jarrod Phipps, CIO at Holman, believes that the key to success lies in identifying and addressing a problem. Rather than trying to sell an idea, Phipps advises starting with a problem that has already been recognized. By partnering with the stakeholders who have acknowledged the problem, you can work together to find a solution. In this way, the focus shifts from selling to collaboration and problem-solving.
Véronique van Houwelingen, solution manager for conversational technology at Air France-KLM, suggests linking your idea to the customer point of view. By analyzing customer data and creating a business case around it, you increase the chances of gaining attention and support. Additionally, van Houwelingen recommends aligning your idea with the strategic aims of the business. By focusing on topics that are important to the company’s key pillars, you demonstrate the relevance and value of your idea.
Rolf Vanden Eynde, manager of the center of excellence for infrastructure engineering at Ahold Delhaize, emphasizes the importance of conveying expert knowledge. He believes that it is up to professionals with specialized knowledge to explain the functionalities and potential benefits of their ideas to relevant stakeholders. Vanden Eynde shares an example from his own experience, where he collaborated with Cisco to deploy OpenRoaming Wi-Fi technology. By showcasing the functionality and running a proof-of-concept trial, he was able to convince others and garner support for the technology.
In conclusion, securing support for your brilliant business idea requires careful planning and execution. Employing influential tactics such as guerrilla strategies, stakeholder management, problem-solving, customer-centricity, and expert knowledge can significantly increase your chances of gaining the necessary backing. By taking into account these valuable insights from experienced business leaders, you can navigate the process of selling your idea and turning it into a successful reality.
