Summary: Picking up with our Best of Killer Innovation Series, we delve deeper into the art of making ideas reality by following a proper execution plan.<br> <br> In this episode, we wrap up a series of shows we did on the innovation framework known as FIRE. We will discuss the part of the innovation framework known as execution. Execution is composed of making your best ideas into something tangible.<br> Execution<br> I have used the FIRE (Focus, Ideation, Ranking, Execution) framework for over 20 years, and thousands of organizations use it.<br> <br> * Focus is defining where your problem area is.<br> * <a href="https://killerinnovations.com/ideation-how-to-generate-more-and-better-ideas/">Ideation</a> is the process of creating ideas to address your problem areas. The process consists of individual and team ideation, which, when combined, generates 30% more ideas than when done individually.<br> * <a href="https://killerinnovations.com/how-to-select-the-best-ideas/">Ranking</a> is where you prioritize your ideas. This process is through dot/wow voting and criteria ranking.<br> * Execution, the last element of the FIRE framework, is how one turns ideas into innovation—done through two phases: testing and validation and launching the MVP (Minimum viable product). Execution is not easy. 92% of CEOs say innovation is critical to their organization, but only 35% have confidence in executing these ideas.<br> <br> What to Expect<br> In my opinion, innovation consists of ideas made real. I constantly repeat one quote: “Ideas without execution are a hobby, and I'm not in the hobby business.” At this point, you've ranked your ideas, but need to figure out how to make these ideas a real innovation. Going into this, you won't know all of the answers. Expect a very messy process because there might not be a clear path from point A to point B.<br> It would help if you were adaptable and ready to learn things. It would be best if you innovated around the idea frequently. Be okay with an unexpected outcome, as the process is an experiment. Innovation projects have to be measured differently than a typical product development project. One of the measurements of success is learning throughout the process. Stay away from <a href="https://killerinnovations.com/8-ways-to-deal-with-innovation-antibodies-who-are-blocking-you-s12-ep10/">innovation antibodies</a>. Innovation causes conflict, prompting these antibodies to come out. These include ego response (stepping on someone's toes), fatigue (people who have tried and failed at it before), no risk response (CFO or legal counsel), and comfort response (we don't need to change).<br> Steps of Execution<br> The first step to making an idea real is creating the pitch. The pitch is your way of telling the story around your idea, also known as <a href="https://killerinnovations.com/better-ways-to-co-innovation-and-strategic-storytelling/">strategic storytelling</a>. The key is to tell your idea's story so that others see what life will be like when your idea is delivered.<br> The second step is to create the funnel. There are four funnel gates: market validation, customer validation, limited launch, and global launch. The key here is to convey that not all ideas will go forward.<br> <br> * Market validation is where you ask if the problem exists. One way to do this is through gorilla idea validation. Talk to people you don't know to get brutally honest feedback rather than people you know who might tell you what you want to hear.<br> * Customer validation is where you see if your idea solves the customer's problem.<br> <br> I use the Michelle test. I would take a product we built at HP, bring it home, and leave it on the counter for my wife. She would take it out of the box and use it, giving it her honest evaluation. Because my wife is not a technology person, I would receive some solid feedback from a different perspective.<br> <br>
