Author Archive
Invention Intention
I ran across this Question-and-Answer exchange (that I've significantly edited) and thought it valuable for those of you considering taking a physical product to market.
Question:
"How can I know if my idea is technologically feasible and how to go about developing it for market? I have an idea for a product I want to invent. I see other versions of it but none that include the features I have in mind. I want to use this device to serve a certain function in my daily life. What can I do? I am not very technologically minded."
Best Answer (Chosen by Asker):
· First of all, DO NOT discuss the details of your invention to anyone.
· Do some market research without revealing much about your invention. You'll have to reveal what is the invention, but not the details about how it's made.
· Then go to a patent attorney and have your idea patented. A world-wide patent is recommended.
· Have a technical drawing done by a professional illustrator whom your patent attorney may recommend.
· Have a prototype made and branded. Use one item as a prototype made for testing to see that it works.
· Consult a manufacturer's rep to locate the resources and connections you need to get the product to market and on the shelf.
· When it seems good to go, go for it.
(Answered by someone who holds nine patents on new products)
Getting an idea to market is a challenge. Get good counsel you can trust, and get moving on your product idea before someone else comes up with a (perceived) same product!
For more IDEA tips and strategies sign up for my newsletter at Idea Success Network.
Ideas to IMPACT: Mold Your Message
Watch the third video in my series about the IMPACT process and let me show you how to organize the details so that your idea has a structure you can work with.
For more details, go to YourIdeaCoach.com. You'll get free tools and strategies to use right away.
HSMAI M.E.E.T. National 2012, September 6, 2012
As the meeting and event-planning industry’s premier show, HSMAI's MEET National brings a new name – and a new vision – to the business of connecting planners with the right resources and suppliers to move their meetings and events forward.
https://archive.ideasuccessnetwork.com/programs/ideasuccesssummit-intro/
Telesession: Give V.O.I.C.E. to Your Ideas
(Whose Voice Are You Speaking? Free Your Inner Voice and Align Your Energy For Maximum Impact and Profit)
You have ideas, yet your “inner voice” sabotages you from speaking up and speaking out. Does this sound familiar? How can you transform and free your inner voice so that you communicate your ideas clearly and confidently?
Join Sylvia Henderson, Implementation Strategist and Idea Success Coach, in an interview with Kris Prochaska, MA, LMHC about “Whose Voice Are You Speaking? Free Your Inner Voice and Align Your Energy For Maximum Impact and Profit”. Discover how to give V.O.I.C.E. to your ideas.
Date: Friday, September 7, 2012
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm Eastern/10:00am-11:00am Pacific
Access Telephone Number: 218-548-9465
Participant Passcode: 19150205#
Kris Prochaska is a speaker and coach, and the creator of the life-changing Find Your VOICE™ Blueprint and 9-Aligned: What to Tweak Before You Speak programs. She is the author of Life Well Spoken: Free Your Inner Voice And Prosper due out fall 2012! Once afraid of speaking and selling, Kris discovered her path to success and in less than a year, tripled her income and completely transformed her business. She helps women free their inner voice, align themselves with their mission and message, and communicate clearly and effectively with their ideal clients and customers.
Words are powerful. We create our world with our thoughts. When we speak those thoughts, and we have strong emotion attached to those thoughts, we create even more powerfully. We literally speak our world into creation. When we listen to the little voices in our head, the ones that say “who do you think you are?”, and “you can’t do that or say that!” or “what will people think?!” we are literally choosing fear. These little voices are the root cause of miscommunication.
When we listen to the voice of our Heart & Soul—our Inner Voice (aka: intuition, Higher Self, Source, God) and we speak with that voice, we choose and create from Love—and thus create connection. With which voice are you aligned? By shifting your Aligndset™ which includes your
body, mind, emotions, energy and spirit, you can align yourself more closely with your
Inner Voice.
In this telesession you will take away:
~ Who the little voices in your head are, and where they come from.
~ How to listen to your Inner Voice and make clear decisions.
~ 5 Key Elements in shifting your AligndsetTM for more potent results.
~ 3 reasons why vulnerability is your greatest asset.
~ 3 simple energy techniques that can create clarity, focus, and ease in speaking and selling.
When your Aligndset™ is “on” you experience:
~ Clear thinking, and emotions
~ Easier to make decisions
~ Increased confidence and ease when speaking—you’re speaking from your heart vs from your head (where things can get lost!)
~ Inner world matches the outer world and others can ‘hear’ that
~ Know your purpose
~ Competition ceases, collaboration rules
~ Increased Energy, Ease, and Divine Flow
~ Trust (yourself and God)
~ Influx of ideas and money!
Learn more about Kris at www.speakfreelynow.com. She can be reached at
krisprochaska@speakfreelynow.com.
Mark your calendar for these insights on September 7, 2012.
Idea Discovery: Quotations to Lift Your Spirits
Make your IMPACT(c) … one idea at a time!
Here's my Idea Discovery for today to help you do just that.
I'm a bit discouraged after getting very few call-backs in response to messages I left some people about scheduling meetings to discuss an idea I have. What a perfect time to find this website filled with quotations to lift my spirits! I wanted to pass it on to you so that you find – and post somewhere – just the right quotation for yourself to keep you motivated or lift your spirits or get your team moving on an idea.
My goal is to serve you with resources and strategies that help you clarify, organize, and implement your ideas.
Stay connected with me for more Idea Discoveries.
IdeaSuccessNetwork.com
Sylvia Henderson, Your Idea Coach
Author: "Hey, That's MY Idea! How to Communicate and Get Recognized for What You Know and Think"
Drill Deep Enough to Strike Oil
I'm not ashamed to admit it. I am hooked on silly soap-opera television programs like "Dallas" and "Desperate Housewives".
Take Dallas (please). The oil barons of Southfork Ranch (in Dallas, TX of course) drill deep to strike oil. You can do the same to strike oil with your idea. Just keep asking yourself, "And this means / does / requires / results in what?" Ask yourself the same question at least five times – once to each answer you give. By the fifth answer you most-likely will strike the richness of your idea.
For example, let's use the idea of adding a home-delivery service to your gift bag business.
(1) Ask yourself, "And this idea means what?" Answer: It means convenience to the customer, yet added costs to my business.
(2) Ask yourself, "And this idea means what?" Answer: It means a happier customer who is possibly pleasantly surprised at the service, yet I will have to charge a little more to absorb the added costs. (And I need to determine what those added costs are.)
(3) Ask yourself, "And this idea means what?" Answer: It means only a customer of a certain income bracket will take advantage of this service so I must target that type of customer with my marketing the new service.
(4) Ask yourself, "And this idea means what?" Answer: It means I have to get help with creating an awareness campaign because I have no idea how to message such an offering.
(5) Ask yourself, "And this idea means what?" Answer: It means I can distinguish my business as a higher-end servicer, charge more, and reap a higher profit margin if I get the right help with laying this out completely. It's do-able, could expose my business to a different market, and I'm excited!!!
Dig deep to strike oil with your idea. You might find it leads you to richer territory.
Ideas to IMPACT: Initiate Your Ideas
Watch three ways to capture and initiate your IDEAS in the second video of my IMPACT(c) process series.
Well-Intentioned Messages: It’s For Your Own Good!
“You want to start your own business? That´s terribly risky.”
“You want to go where? But that´s so far.”
“You want a new what? Now, that´s not very practical.”
“You want to leave a ‘good job’ for that idea? How will you take care of your family?”
Any of this sound familiar?
From whom do we most hear these intentionally helpful, yet personally discouraging entreaties? From whose mouths do the “yes, buts” and “you shouldn´ts” and “what ifs” tumble so readily? Those who should be most supportive of us … our loved ones! Our families. Our friends. Our colleagues. We summon the nerve to tell them our inner thoughts, and then we’re sorry we did. Family, friends, and sometimes professional colleagues are skilled at generating a variety of emotions within us. One set of experiences to which we are subjected involves receiving advice “for our own good”.
Is it really? For our own good? Moreover, how do we handle such advice? In this article, I will:
• Identify who typically sends these messages to us,
• Examine how these messages affect us – especially when we think about sharing our ideas, and
• Offer ways to turn these messages into positive experiences, so that we can appreciate the time we spend with the people who make us the craziest in our lives.
With their words of caution, they are well meaning in that they say these things to us to protect us; to warn us. They do not want us to be hurt. Family members frequently consider themselves as our true supporters. They think they are being supportive of us and our goals when they tell us about the last time someone they knew tried what we want to try, and failed. They think they are being caring by warning us of the pitfalls of our journey towards fulfilling our goals. They don´t want us to be disappointed or demoralized if we fall short of our success. They want us to be safe in the world, but by making such suggestions, they discourage us from reaching for our dreams. While they mean well, they can be more detrimental to our success than beneficial.
Yet, how do their messages affect us? Their words, when spoken by people whose opinions mean the most to us, feel like “downers” and discouragers. We hear messages underneath the words that tell us we´re not worthy, we are incapable, or we are crazy, disillusioned, or wrong. We know that is not the intended message, yet we cannot help but internalize the messages.
Several years ago, prior to writing “Hey, That’s MY Idea! How to Speak Up and Get Recognized for What You Know and Think” I wrote a book titled “Why You Talk So ‘White’? Eliminate the Behaviors that Sabotage Your Success”. The book is about the behaviors and attitudes we must practice—regardless of race—to succeed professionally and personally. On page 18 of that book, I wrote:
“So, you´ve received primarily negative messages throughout your life until today. All you have heard or been told is that you can´t, you shouldn´t, you won´t, it´s not right for you to, you´re not expected to because there is no point in your trying. These messages and more are what you have come to believe of yourself, so you now doubt yourself. You think that you cannot and, perhaps, should not. Stop right here!”
Let us look at how to turn these messages into positive experiences for ourselves—especially when we want to share our ideas with the people who mean the most to us.
To overcome or balance-out these messages, we must pause and look beyond the words we hear when our loved ones issue their entreaties. Acknowledge that we hear what they tell us. Then consider the messages they are really trying to convey to us. Consider the following approaches to turn the “for your own good” messages into positive experiences.
• Find people who communicate positive messages – people in Toastmasters or Optimists clubs, or other volunteer organizations who lift our spirits and share positive perspectives on life. Attend meetings. Make lunch dates with these people. Pick up the phone to talk with them.
• Say to your negative-message family members or friends, “See you later. I have something that is important that I do” during the coming weeks and get out among positive people. We need to surround ourselves with each other.
• Read positive books and biographies of those whom you admire.
• Listen to audio programs that teach and encourage.
• Watch uplifting video programs.
• Attend a motivational seminar or a light-spirited movie at a theatre.
Figuratively – and sometimes, literally – disappear into a world that takes you away from the negativity. Allow yourself to return to your wants, needs, wishes, and dreams. Re-kindle your spirit.
Once we renew ourselves with positive messages, we can return to our loved ones. We can return to our friends, with the best of intentions, and appreciate the time we spend with the people who seem to make us the most crazy in our lives. We can share our ideas and not allow people to dissuade our dreams.
Idea Discovery: Website – Think Geek
Make your IMPACT(c) … one idea at a time!
Here's my Idea Discovery for today to help you do just that.
Idea Discovery: Website – Think Geek
Are you an inventor? Do you have an idea for a physical product that you want to market? Check out Think Geek's Idea Factory. I ran across this page while surfing and wanted to share it. After following the steps for my IMPACT(c) process, this is the next step you might want to take to get your product out to the masses. Here is the link to the page with instructions and guidelines.
My goal is to serve you with resources and strategies that help you clarify, organize, and implement your ideas.
Stay connected with me for more Idea Discoveries.
IdeaSuccessNetwork.com
Sylvia Henderson, Your Idea Coach
Author: "Hey, That's MY Idea! How to Communicate and Get Recognized for What You Know and Think"
But What If They Don’t Like It? Strategies for Persuading People to Agree With and Support Your Ideas
Gaining others’ acceptance of your ideas can be difficult, and even downright frustrating without the proper approach. Why do you think so many companies look to a marketing or advertising agency to promote their products and services?
Planning an effective persuasive strategy can be daunting; yet, with a few tips on how to do it, there is little reason why you can’t soon be on your way to winning the support, getting the “thumbs-up”, or whatever it is you need to move your ideas forward in your organization or with those whose support you seek.
Plot Your Persuasive Strategy
In developing the strategy you will use to persuade others to agree with and support your ideas, it is important to understand not only to whom you will be talking but also how you will be communicating with them. Dedicating time to learn about your audience’s vocabulary, social norms, and presentation preferences – as well as your own communication style, personality traits, and speech habits – will help you avoid misinterpretation and ensure the best possible presentation of your ideas.
Once you feel that you have a grasp of your own characteristics and those of your audience, you can apply four strategies of getting people to:
• Listen to your idea.
• Understand your idea.
• Be willing to try your idea.
• Be ready to act on it.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at each step and how to incorporate it into your overall strategy.
Get them to listen.
Time is the most valuable currency. You need to know how to use your audience’s time wisely, before you present to them, so that they will listen to you and commit themselves to your idea. Your first step to getting your audience to listen to your idea is to capture their attention. Several ways you can capture their attention are:
• Create a buzz to build anticipation. Think billboards with exciting imagery and a website address – it makes you curious, right?
• Use humor.
• Apply examples or analogies.
• Create your own narrative.
• Address others’ concerns by connecting them with how your idea solves their problem.
For example: “A more consistent social media strategy is like the sand dropping in an hourglass. Our messages will flow consistently and steadily until they reach a volume people will pay attention to.” (Idea = more consistent social media implementation.)
Get them to understand.
Once you have their attention, you need to ensure your listeners fully understand your idea. A tried-and-true technique to simplify your dialog is to use Somebody – Wanted – But – So, where Somebody is “Who will benefit?” Wanted is “Identify the need,” But is “What prevents the needs from being filled?” and So is “Your Idea,” or the solution to the problem. Check for areas where statements may need to be broken down into easier-to-digest components, but always aim to keep it simple to avoid confusion.
For example: “Dog owners wanted a better fastener for their dogs’ leashes. But the major pet companies say such a fastener costs too much to manufacture. So my idea of an ‘Easy-Slip Adjusta-Fastener©’ allows our small company to make one change in our machine process to inexpensively produce both standard fasteners and an ‘Adjusta-Fastener©’ to efficiently capture this additional dog-owner market.” (Idea = new product—Easy-Slip Adjusta-Fastener©)
Get them to try it.
Now that your audience has listened to and understands your idea, it is important that you motivate them to try it out. One of the most effective ways to do this is to explain how your idea solves a problem they have. Incorporate logic into your discourse (such as historical data, sales averages, calculated outcomes) to convince them your idea is worth it. Or, appeal to their emotions by constructing a visualization that is personally relevant for them. Create a few powerful statements with logic and emotion that will open the door just enough to get the audience to see that they want to open it all the way.
For example: “Entrepreneurs must weigh heavily the benefits of a new investment with the ROI (return on investment) they receive. You’ve invested your time and money in this networking event to learn how to display your marketing materials more effectively. Take this diagram and set up your vendor table next week the way I suggest in the diagram. See if your ‘engage’ rate improves. I’ll follow up with you next Friday to get your feedback and take your testimonials for fully marketing my model through your referrals.” (Idea = model for more-effective vendor table setup.)
Get them to act on it. This is the most significant persuasive strategy, and can be the one that makes – or breaks – your idea success. To help propel your audience to action, you need to clearly explain what they have to gain and how many steps are required to attain the result. Secondly, your listeners need to feel that you have invested your own resources and energy into the idea, especially if you are asking them to take the plunge with you. To get them to act on your idea, your strategy may include one or two requests for people to take specific actions – using active and demonstrable verbs rather than those that encourage reflection or deliberation.
For example: “Pull out your mobile devices now. Purchase and download my mileage tracking application. It’s saved me hours of end-of-month accounting reconciliation time and effort in my own business. You will see that with four easy steps your month-end accounting for mileage and expenses will be reduced by hours, too. What’s that savings worth to you?”
Now that you have a few techniques for how to create a persuasive strategy, make the time to apply one or more of them to your own ideas. It may take a significant planning investment on your part, but then again your idea is worth it, isn’t it?