The Big Idea

I hate small ideas. Ok, hate is a pretty strong word -- dislike is more accurate. But, what really gets my juices going, and puts me into action, is the Big Idea.

There is nothing particularly wrong with small ideas, along with products and services for local and regional markets. They can fill an important need and in fact be quite profitable and attractive for investors. It’s just a matter of preference, and my passion lies in projects that have at least a national consumer base; if not a global one. It’s more than the potential to make lots of money (which of course has a lot to do with it), but also the chance to make a difference and shape the future direction of consumerism and society.

What do I consider a Big Idea? For consumers, it has to have a significant national base. It’s hard to quantify (in percent of the total US population) what constitutes this base. So, what is my opinion of a significant consumer base? Men, Women, Dieters, TV Watchers, Internet Users, Drivers, Sports Fans – these would be examples. Groups like Teens, College Students, New Drivers, and the AARP Crowd might fit too, but could also be seen as niche plays. In addition, your new innovation (product or service) needs to fill a need for this group. It does not have to be an entirely new concept (true inventors are often too far ahead of their potential customers), but must add value for the individual. Value may be freeing up time (or making that time more efficient), creating an entertainment experience, passing on important information, and so on. If you can fill a need and create value for a large number of members of a significant consumer base, you may just have the next great Business Idea.

I hear you saying, you’re crazy -- that Big Ideas don’t just happen overnight, they often evolve from successful small ideas. While it may be true that big companies start small and build into large ones, often its growth potential is only realized by the Big Ideas and Vision of the founder(s).

My view is why settle for small ideas when you can Dream Big.

Welcome to the Grand Innovation Blog

Maybe you're like me. You stay awake at night, thinking about how you can make a difference, how you can change the world. You know what you want to do, where you want to be, but the question is -- How do I get there? Well, I am working on that myself, and I plan on using this blog to share with you my thoughts on entrepreneurship and innovation; and how we can better utilize the Internet to change the way that visions for the future are turned into reality.

But, this blog is not just about me. I want to learn from you, and I would appreciate your comments, e-mails, and feedback. If you think that something I say is BS, call me out. Also, I want to network with fellow entrepreneurs and potential business partners, so if you have an idea that needs fine tuning or help with the next step, I am glad to offer you any assistance (just drop me an e-mail).

My goal is to dramatically change how ideas are funded and developed into companies. The current system is inefficient, with many great ideas never getting off the ground due to a lack of available seed/angel money and resources. If we work together, we can increase the level of entrepreneurship throughout the world, and hopefully usher in a golden age of new ideas and innovation.

Stay tuned for my next entry on The Big Idea