I read a great comment on the foot of Getting Real: “Done!” (by 37signals) about the value of execution. So good I thought I would re-iterate it here:-
Be An Executioner
It’s so funny when I hear people being so protective of ideas. (People who want me to sign an nda to tell me the simplest idea.)
To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions.
Explanation:
- Awful idea = -1
- Weak idea = 1
- So-so idea = 5
- Good idea = 10
- Great idea = 15
- Brilliant idea = 20
- No execution = $1
- Weak execution = $1000
- So-so execution = $10,000
- Good execution = $100,000
- Great execution = $1,000,000
- Brilliant execution = $10,000,000
To make a business, you need to multiply the two.
The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20. The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000.
That’s why I don’t want to hear people’s ideas. I’m not interested until I see their execution.
I think neatly sums up where we are with VITES™ with some clients. We just need to get it executed, working, installed and not worry too much about getting the idea fully-formed and fleshed out. Clients like to try to drag us down a “what are we going to get” route when in reality they should be asking when and how is it going to be delivered. So much of the clients thinking is focussed round creating something that has a “finished, delivered” flavour to it when the winning approach is to get something, anything, delivered and then refine it later.