An idea’s greatness is measured by its execution. Measurement requires a reference point beyond the origin; if no action is taken beyond having the thought, it has no magnitude.
Often we have a passing thought or flash of insight that forms an idea for a new product, application, or a change in how things are done — whether for personal or professional benefit.
Working with a few different startups, I experienced a common theme shared between them even though they operated in vastly different arenas. Although each had the seed of an idea that held massive potential, they were all undone by overthinking the product and business plan to bring it to market.
Multiple revisions of the app or website wireframes; adding or removing feature sets; changing or guessing at target markets & ideal customers.
Of course, there needs to be some groundwork and strategic planning in preparation for a pitch, but not so much that no action is ever taken and the team gets stuck in a “‘perfection loop”.
I shared the same analogy with each team: Stop trying to create what you think is the perfect lure and instead go fishing: Drop a line and see what hits — if anything.
No bites? Maybe the UI/UX is wrong. Nothing hooked? Maybe the feature set is thin or priced too high. Not even a nibble? Perhaps the market is wrong and time to identify a new pond to fish in.
Weekly kickoff meetings devolved into redesign sessions, arguments over the introduction of non-core features and multiple revamps of revenue models.
Instead of using those meetings to effect a plan to get dev kicked off, meet with potential user base through focus groups, or schedule investor pitches, the team was mired in an endless loop of seeking perfection and trying to anticipate every possibility.
Better to drop a line, gather feedback and iterate from there. You may never catch anything worth keeping but at least you’ll have a tale to tell.