For some, innovation means creating valuable ideas, others feel it is creativity while the rest think it is the future delivered. Innovation doesn’t come easy. Like all other processes, it has a beginning and an end. We all know equal parts make one whole. Well, in this case, ‘Three parts make one whole’. There are three stages through which an idea goes until it can ultimately be termed ‘innovative’- Inspiration, Ideation and Incubation and each stage is significant in putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

INSPIRATION- I Wish

No idea is an idea until it has a genesis. Ideas arise out of needs that aren’t met and inspiration gets the idea going. When a driving force within an individual inspires him to find a solution, serve a purpose and pioneer change, it leads closer to innovation. As Seth Godin said, “ Ideas in secret die. They need light and air or they starve to death.” Any idea generated needs a little inspiration to kick-start. An idea arises out of curiosity, disappointment or passion. While some succeed in exerting a high level of effort to achieve their goals, others don’t due to lack of encouragement or a push. Great people who decided to make a change were quite sure that they would rather die of passion than of boredom. Ideas just need a little push to go a long way.

IDEATION- I Will

Once the ideas are out of the bag, you need to track the magnitude of each idea in order to decide what stays and what goes. Not all ideas create the same impact. An idea needs to be feasible in order to run long term. Starting a new business project is inherently risky because there is no guarantee that a new company, product or service will be profitable. Feasibility studies can provide valuable insights that help managers make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Checking on market viability, financial viability and various other factors can help understand your opportunities and threats well in advance. “Will it work?” is a very important question that you need to consider before you plunge into an ocean full of risks. Your study can help you get a better perspective of your target market, financial aid you require, mentorship that you’re looking for an so on. It is one thing to come up with an idea, but having a disciplined approach to distill the best among the rest is equally important as it gets you closer to a ‘winning idea’.  If you read the book on ideation called ‘FOUND’ and turn to the section ‘Been there, done that’, you begin to venture on a journey with several other individuals who had a disciplined approach to pick the best ideas. It seems a little bit more believable when you’ve heard it from those who’ve been in those shoes at some point of time in their life. Once you’ve know you’ve got your life jacket in place, plunging into the risk seems a bit more easier…

INCUBATION- I Work

Now that you’ve gathered all the information you need, you need to ensure that your idea meets all the right conditions so that it develops over time. Building an idea into something magical serves the ultimate purpose to begin with so that you come up with a viable solution, product or platform at the end of the day. Ideas can be termed ‘successful’ only when they reach a stage where all the work you’ve done has paid off. Generating an idea doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good to go. When there’s too much to handle, having a support system is crucial to your business’s success. Any innovator requires support in terms of training, technology, financial as well as advisory aspects. Nurturing an idea can go a long way in accelerating the business and giving it the push it needs. Like a child that is yet to be born, an idea requires people coming together,engaging and wishing for magic to happen. Once the desire is inculcated, the idea that is so close to your heart is born. Like a newborn baby that has to be nurtured with the right food to develop its organs, ideas too need to develop over time to turn into the magic that was once inspired for. Once the idea is placed in the right environment and taken good care of like a child, it grows into one that is healthy and sustainable.

INNOVATION- I Win

Now that you’ve been inspired, you’ve ideated your thoughts and incubated it, you’re all set to become innovative. Keep brainstorming to develop your business, create a great team, test the market and if it goes wrong, don’t be afraid to try again. To summarize, if inspiration has the potential to create an impact, then it is a winning idea which through the right support results in the sustenance and endurance of the initiative- this is when innovation has taken place in its full form. “There are no losers in this game of innovation. Either you win, or you learn!”– Naveen Lakkur