What a Stupid Idea!

True or False: Good ideas often sound foolish

True!

Let me explain what I’m talking about. Marketing messages and creating positive experiences for your customers can be a daunting and overwhelming task. There is so much to think about – staying consistent, making your messages match your in-store experience, keeping your customers happy, motivating your employees, constantly offering new and improved experiences. For that reason, it is easy to look at what your competitors are doing and form your business’ marketing and ideas into a similar mold.

Afterall, this is the “acceptable” method and “the way things are done”, right?

Wrong!

Just because it has never been attempted doesn’t mean it won’t work. Great ideas often come out of so-called stupid ideas. The only obstacle to conquer is being unafraid to voice them.

This happens all the time at 3^rd Idea. Someone has a “stupid idea.” The rest of us look at each other and laugh. Then say, wait a minute…that might work. What if instead of doing this, we alter it a bit and try that. The “detail-oriented, perfectionists” (which just so happens to be my personality type) has a way of working with the over-the-top-sky’s-the-limit personalities to create a truly unique and creative, yet realistic plan.  The point is, those of us who naturally tend to be more realistic need to allow for those absolutely, positively absurd ideas.

IKEA, known for their affordable, yet sophisticated home furnishings and unique stores, comes up with great marketing ideas all the time. Check out IKEA’s genius idea of creating a 3-d catalouge cover that people could actually get their picture taken in. Talk about creating a memorable and positive experience!!!! I wonder if this started out as someone’s “stupid idea” ….