PPB October 2020

Y ou’ve got it! The next big thing, the best idea since sliced bread, the perfect solution to the company’s current challenge. The problem? You’re one of the youngest and least experienced people on the team, and your ideas have been overshadowed or ignored in the past. How can you make sure that your ground-breaking idea is sincerely heard and considered? STEP ONE: Make sure it’s actually a good idea. What makes your plan more ideal than any other that’s been proposed? Are you sure that no one else has suggested this solution yet? If it’s very similar to another idea that was previously shot down, why is yours better? Be specific. Run it by uninvolved third parties who have a completely neutral perspective, such as friends and family, and then run it by co-workers you trust who are familiar with the problem. Specifically ask for constructive feedback and adjust your plan as necessary. The best way to make sure that your idea is objectively considered in a corporate setting is to assign it value. If it will save or make the company money, the idea is much more likely to be viewed favorably. This includes saving the company time because time is money. STEP TWO: Dial it in. Take any feedback you received and smooth any sharp edges on your idea or plan. Be honest with yourself about any roadblocks, pain points or challenges that were brought up. It’s not the end of your idea if they exist, but it’s important to acknowledge them and have potential solutions 7 Ways To Get Your Ideas Seen And Heard If you’ve voiced ideas to the team and had them discounted in the past, it’s time to change how you approach the process. by Kacie Brinner Who is Danny / Krakenimages / HAKINMHAN / Shutterstock.com. Photo illustration by SPARK Publications. 16 | OCTOBER 2020 | INNOVATE