A friend of mine left his corporate job a couple of years ago to pursue "a revolutionary idea", as he called it.
"What is it that you are are working on," I inquired, never once assuming this benign question would cause him to get fidgety.
He responded with a vague topic. Many months later he told me, “I didn’t want to tell anyone about my idea for fear that someone would steal it – too bad this made me sound really cryptic and weird at cocktail parties.”
Entrepreneurs too often hold their ideas much too close to their bullet-proof vests. Considering themselves more entitled than a secret service agent, these entrepreneurs live in the fear of idea theft and take it upon themselves to protect their idea at all costs!
So what are these "secret service entrepreneurs" missing out on?
- Feedback
- Growth
- Potential Investors
- Time
- Future partners
- Looming competitors
In a corporate job, you’re generally open and pretty pumped up to share the details of your work: the kind of work you do, the people you work with, the amazing Casual Friday policy!
In a startup however, a veil of secrecy takes precedence, with your lips zipped so tight you make the CIA jealous. People who are seasoned veterans or who just have some great ideas for you can really help your business. In fact, promoting your idea will more than likely help improve it, giving you an even better shot at success than your hush hush mode. As soon as you realize that feedback and promotion of your idea will actually improve it, you’ll have a better shot at success.
Enjoyed this comic? You may enjoy this one as well!
In a startup however, a veil of secrecy takes precedence, with your lips zipped so tight you make the CIA jealous. People who are seasoned veterans or who just have some great ideas for you can really help your business. In fact, promoting your idea will more than likely help improve it, giving you an even better shot at success than your hush hush mode. As soon as you realize that feedback and promotion of your idea will actually improve it, you’ll have a better shot at success.
Enjoyed this comic? You may enjoy this one as well!
3 comments:
Share your ideas with confidence via www.creativebarcode.com - trust based protection and safe disclosure. Perfect for entrepreneurs and creative businesses of all type and size.
Very interesting MJ…thanks for sharing!
Socialize your idea on www.createsetgo.com. Its a social site in beta (new features released every week) with a large following on twitter, facebook and on the site. It is the place to share your beta product, gather a following before crowdfunding, or to release info about your newest product or service. Only for consumer goods, services and technology. But if this is what you are providing, this is a way to share your idea with engaged early adopters looking for the next big thing! Posting & engagement is FREE and createsetgo.com does not have any ownership over your idea or product. www.createsetgo.com
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