Path to Execution

At Gangplank we talk a lot about executing ideas. We have a fundamental belief that “doing” is a powerful value. Early on we relied heavily on fact that everyone has good ideas, but most people don’t actually implement them. We knew at that time that there was difference between implementing something and actually launching it. However, we didn’t focus very hard on the next step which really is bringing something to penetrating a market or the “sales” of an implemented idea.

I have been playing with lots of theories in this area and trying to visualize many commonalities and pitfalls. I have even tortured some people by bending their ears for a few hours to get feedback and ask what they thought. Jason Newlin was gracious enough to put some white board rantings down into a legible format, those that know me know that my scribbling is illegible, even by me.

I will provide no real commentary here and just present the diagram. I am looking for feedback on your thoughts about what it might mean and what ideas it might evoke. Hell, if the topic of what it means to execute even remotely interests you and you find me at an event or see me at Gangplank, I would love to chat.

Comments (3)

allan branch says:

January 15, 2009 at 8:21 pm

I am dense, what does the % mean?
Jason Newlin says:

January 15, 2009 at 11:34 pm

Yeah, that’s one nice diagram. @allan, I cannot even remember what the % mean now, I will have to go back and look at my email.
francine hardaway says:

January 16, 2009 at 10:18 pm

I am fond of saying that companies start as ideas, whichis a very large number. Ideas can be products, and that’s a big fork in the road: can your idea really be a product (that’s implementation and launch). Another fork comes when you check to see whether your product can actually be a business (will anyone buy it). And then there’s whether your business can actually be a company (i.e. run without your presence).