In today’s corporate arena, many employers operate on an open-door policy and even encourage their employees to come up with and share their new and innovative ideas. Proactive employees are often considered for new opportunities as they have shown their ability to take initiative when it comes to ensuring the company’s success. A major part of having a good idea is being able to sell it. You could have the most innovative idea however if you’re unable to effectively pitch your idea to those who have the resources to aid in the execution of your idea then you will find limited success. Remember ideas are useless unless action accompanies them. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the steps you could take to ensure you successfully pitch your idea to your higher-ups.
- DO YOUR RESEARCH
So you’ve spent some time brainstorming and you finally have your lightbulb moment. The next step is to carry out market research and understand where your idea fits. This means you must ask really targeted questions and evaluate the possible financial benefits. Answering these questions will enable you to present a well-rounded idea.
- PREPARE A PRESENTATION
When sharing your idea, it is important to have a visual aid. Be creative with your presentation. This will help your audience to better understand your idea and showcase your commitment to the project. Ensure that your passion and enthusiasm shines through the presentation in order to be more persuasive. Remember that a stellar idea presented with confidence is the key to a successful pitch.
- PICK THE PERFECT MOMENT
When presenting a new idea to your employer, timing is everything. If you catch your boss during a busy moment the likelihood of getting helpful feedback is low. Try to schedule a meeting with your boss when you are both free and able to discuss your ideas without any interruptions. The undivided attention you receive could help you refine your idea and point you in the right direction.
- EMPHASISE THE RELEVANCE OF YOUR IDEA
Before pitching your idea to your employer ensure it aligns with the company goals. You can do this by showing the impact your idea may have on the company’s bottom line. This is a great tactic to propel your career and put you on track for leadership roles as well as promotions.
- ASK FOR FEEDBACK
Seeking your employer’s input on your idea is important for giving you direction. remember they are familiar with the overall company goals and can contextualise your idea. make use of the experts around you.
- TAKE THE LEAD
After pitching your idea be prepared to take on the responsibility of leading its realisation. This means taking up the responsibility of organising and executing various logistical plans that relate to your idea. It will be helpful to have a plan for the first few steps before your first pitch. This will increase your chances of success and give you an idea of the expectations that come with your project This will free up your employers from the responsibility of heading the project themselves. This extra mile usually makes the difference between an idea that gathers dust on the shelf and one that is seen through to fruition.
https://www.liquidplanner.com/blog/pitch-new-idea-boss-5-steps/
