Have you ever had an innovative, unique idea come to you at the most inopportune time, only to forget it again? Or, perhaps someone has suggested a product or service idea to you, you know it could be cool, but you don’t have the ideas, structure or support to make it come to fruition?
You are certainly not alone.
The good news is that there is a way to make ideas come to life. A prototype, also defined as an “early example,” is actually the first stage of an idea into something tangible. To really get the input needed to grow your idea into something of market value, you can engage in a “protyping” process to connect with the opinion and feedback of potential customers and investors. This is what many startups do when kicking off their operations.
Let’s consider one of the best-known prototyping examples. Google is the Internet’s number one search engine and global brand today. Using beta testing and feedback, founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page launched a less than perfect service into the market place. Their philosophy: feedback is the answer to dominating a market. It also makes great business sense.
At the same time, Google’s competitors were trying to perfect a product by themselves separate from their target market. What was Google doing? It was continuously upgrading their original beta version by listening to the customer. This is the same philosophy Google uses today with each product launch.
Using some of these lessons, here are some key areas to consider when developing your prototype:
Move quickly. Even if you’re not 100% sure if the idea is the right one or the solution that will work, prototyping it will let you know. Sketch out your idea and run it by your colleagues, trusted customers and association friends. Perhaps they will give you validation or feedback you didn’t consider. Or, their input could inspire you to think of something new. The key is to be able to have a solid feedback behind you before you go to market.
Adjust as needed. Most likely, your target customer or your business model is going to change, forcing you to re-think your idea. Solid prototypes allow you to leverage your existing product or service attributes and change directions when necessary.
Remember that you are creative. Many of us think that we are not the creative type. Yet, by nature (as an entrepreneur), you are. You have created your own business. Creativity isn’t about talent or luck as much as it’s about productivity. To find a few ideas that work, you need to try a lot that don’t. The key: develop a mentality of seeing old things in new ways. Shift opinions and perceptions on things, from positive to negative and back again, without the autopilot on. Even just for fun. You’ll see your mind bringing you perspectives with fresh eyes.
Continue the innovation process. Customers loved your idea and the market has responded. Now what? Prototyping now becomes a way of business. Competitors will soon start creeping up, so you’ll need to adapt and move faster than them. Keep your customers and “advisors” engaged in regular conversations and even look to acquire new sources of feedback. Ask the questions and the answers will keep coming.
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