Ideas to Execution to Exit
Brian Perry
30-Jan-07
Like most entrepreneurs, I can clearly think back to an “aha” moment when I received sudden inspiration and an idea came to me. From somewhere within that quantum foam, a beam of that all powerful “idea energy” hit me. Those times, you just know it. You know that what had just come to you was a great idea and that great idea was going straight from your mind to something real and tangible in the form of a business.
Without going into some deep metaphysical discussion about why this might happen, the fact remains that it does and many of the greatest inventions and business ideas were born through this spark of creation.
Now, once this spark ignites the entrepreneurial fire within us, the execution phase begins to take hold. Wait! Here is where the artistic and business worlds sometimes clash. That fantastic idea is born out of an artistic or creative world but ideally, to be raised by someone who fully understands business and how to take this idea to the next level.
How many times have we heard about a great idea that went nowhere? Or, on the other hand, a great idea created by the rightful owner of that spark who quickly recognised where their strengths lie (not in business management), and structured a deal and involvement to bring in the right people to take it to the next level.
I have heard some of the most inspiring, brilliant and absolutely insane business ideas since I began looking at angel investments. Nothing is more exciting than hearing how these business ideas come about. However, nothing is more frustrating than hearing an entrepreneur go on about their distorted sense of the business world and how they think their idea alone will carry them no matter what, even in spite of their lack of business sense and proper direction. So what is an angel to do when you are presented with creative brilliance combined with stubborn naivety? As we know, the person is also the business and unless they are willing to step aside on some level and let other more experienced business minds take a leading role, it’s likely not going to work for you or them. These situations almost make you wish there was more of a “real world entrepreneur boot camp” program, guide or tool out there. Although, I guess that is part of your role as an angel; find the ideas, help execute the business and all share in the exit
