I WARNED YOU . . .
May 29, 2008 – 5:18 amBack in 1965, I was simply in the enthusiasm business. I had an idea I really liked, and I wanted to see if it would work. I told my boss, who liked it enough to ask me to write a proposal. Shortly thereafter, I found myself in the office of Graham Whitehead, head of British Motors in America. He was the classic Brit: dashing, mustache, RAF demeanor. . . .
His office had no papers, only antiques. Naturally, he was neither chatty nor welcoming.
“Tell Graham your idea,” my boss said at last. I blurted it out.
“Very interesting,” Graham said. “But I don’t see how we could do it.”
“The challenge is to coordinate with accessories suppliers,” I said. “I think we can do that—we’re sort of doing it already.”
Graham warmed ever so slightly. “Just remember—I warned you,” he said, in the most backhanded way of signaling approval I had ever heard.
Well, the 1966 MGB-GT Special sports cars were a terrific success: We sold every car we built. If we had any problem, it was supply; we had so many orders that the little shops that made wood-rim steering wheels and luggage racks couldn’t keep up with demand. We had to go as far as Australia to find a supplier.
If this were a business school case, we’d be looking for the lesson here. And I imagine it would be something about using the logistics competency of a parts department. I see a different lesson. The guy who had the idea (me) loved the product. Knew everything about it. Was buoyed by the support of others, but would have tried to make it happen anyway.
BEFORE YOU LEAP: Understand that passion is the starting point of all great creative ideas. If you are looking to make your mark by creating something new, make sure you are in a field that totally fascinates and captivates you.
Remember, too, success does not mean you become vice president for Great Ideas overnight. In my case, I followed up my triumph by continuing to work on computer-controlled inventory systems. And I kept on going to night school. The big news was that I switched my major from sociology to psychology.
Taken from : “Leap” A Revolution in Creative Business Strategy
