Abstract

Many great ideas fall by the wayside because management does not accept them. This may be because the idea must compete with other priorities or the owner doesn't do enough to sell the idea to management. Three effective ways to enhance an idea are to align it with organizational goals, build a business case for the idea, and stress its economic benefit. Become the project manager of your idea's acceptance, and enlist the help of key managers and peers to strengthen the business case and financial return on investment. Be prepared to meet and deal with resistance so that you can build a strategy for success. Finally, plan a short and succinct executive presentation that leaves ample time for discussion. Sidebar articles explain why we shoot ourselves in the foot when presenting ideas, and provide a business case for change example.