Quixoting™ - A Quest for New Ideas

Here's a cool idea - listen to Quixoting™ as a podcast

One of the cool technologies for bloggers comes from Odiogo. Their service provides an almost instantaneous podcast of each of my posts. You can listen to the podcast one of two ways:

1. Directly from my blog. Click the listen now button below each post title. You can listen as you walk around the room or wash the dishes (should you be so inclined).

2. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other services. Click the Odiogo logo with a "+" symbol under the "start here" section of the sidebar. This is very cool. You can also click here.

Are there any downsides to Odiogo's service?

Well, for one it's not me talking. I think I can get over that if you can . . .

Secondly, I need to write in a more Odiogo friendly way so that the podcasts deliver the intent of the written word. Sometimes quotes or other punctuation causes a hiccup in the podcast. But overall the sound quality and voice recognition are excellent.

What do you think?

The things I notice when traveling - like it or not...

I notice weird things when I'm on the road - away from home and away from the office. Maybe they are just different than what I'm used to seeing or maybe I'm just more aware having been mentally freed from the norm.

Or maybe there are just weird things at airports, in hotels and in taxi cabs. Maybe.

Either way, I always see opportunity, ideas and observe oddities while on the road. So, if ever you are looking for creative inspiration, hit the road and keep your eyes peeled.

On this trip the oddity was found at the Oakland airport - one of my favorite airports due its size and convenience vs. San Francisco airport.

Here it is - I'll just throw it at you:

The individual toilets, urinals and sinks in the men's restroom near gate 22 are numbered. Is that weird? Have you ever seen this? Ladies, is this unique to the male wash room?

I took a picture with my Blackberry because some of you may not believe me.

So before you think me odd for bringing it up (or for noticing it in the first place), what I really wanted to know is: why do they need numbers? Is it like how tables are numbered in a restaurant - so that Joe could tell Frank that a sink is overflowing near Gate 22 with laser targeted accuracy? Is it for inventory purposes (they've always put a serial number on my work computer). Is it for all the folks who talk on their phone while using the restroom to identify their location? Is sink #4 to be cleaned before sink #5?

Despite my curiosity, I did not ask someone (an airport employee) in the restroom about the numbering system (after all, it might be related to a national security issue for all I know).

Then, I thought, what if other random items were numbered?

What about stairs? That would save some people a lot of counting, right? What about "to go" coffee cups at your favorite coffee house? Would you like to know where you fall (XX million served)?

Oh, how the mind works - or perhaps slows to a crawl in this case!

In case you are keeping score, I just landed in Orange County - no wash room numbering system here... Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Please change my sheets

During a recent hotel stay, I was provided with a card (see above) in my room that gave me the option of either changing my sheets or leaving them as is and saving the environment. Now, being a bit cynical, my first thought was always: Am I saving the environment or saving this hotel work and $?

You've probably seen these cards before, right? Well, after my cynical thought I had another more creative one. Changing my sheets was analogous to:

Wiping my mind clean

Clearing my head

Cleaning the slate

So when would it help to have someone come in and "change your sheets" and when is it better to linger in the old ones?

How about when you're feeling a bit lost or when your original idea doesn't feel so original anymore? What would it feel like to stretch out, roll over and get tucked back into fresh sheets just like it was the first time? You would get to experience the thrill of exploring your new idea all over again with new energy.

The truth is sometimes you need a fresh start.

Of course there are other times when you want to stay in the same sheets for days on end. Maybe you are running hard on a great concept - multiple all nighters in one week that are producing great new builds on your idea. In this case, the last thing you want is new sheets. Despite the appeal of a new perspective, sometimes it is hard to argue with the same old dirty sheets.

What do YOU need to stay creative?

What Adventures Are You Planning? – Post 5 of 5

As I’ve said in prior posts, Quixoting is about taking action on an idea after you have worked hard to create a bunch of them and, importantly, picked the best one or two.

Once you have chosen your idea(s), the fun is in deciding where you will take these ideas. Will it be sailing to a foreign land or a visit to a famous cathedral?

The cool thing about this idea generation process is the adventure that begins once you decide to do something. And, in reality, you may set out on your boat for Asia and end up in Greece. It’s not that the ship’s captain steered you there or you just flat out changed your mind, though.

More likely, you saw a pod of dolphins in the distance. The dolphins were leaping symmetrically through the water. They gave you an idea about a way to enhance your concept and you decided to follow them.

The key is to be ready for adventure. And we’re not talking about a tour bus type of an adventure either. Get ready for adventures that take you to uncomfortable places. Places you never thought you’d get to this soon or ever.

Make sure you create a business plan. Try to anticipate where the idea may go and where your company needs to adapt for success.

Rarely do new ideas or new companies finish their first chapter where they started or where they planned.

Are YOU ready?

How Strong Is Your Weapon? – Post 4 of 5

If you imagine your company as a knight defending a castle or defending the honor of your king in a jousting match, what are you bringing to the battle?

Do you have the latest artillery or are you still firing cannonballs?

In a traditional battle, there are essential weapons that must be used to achieve success. In this battle, the tools are swords, arrows, hatchets, shields and knives.

In modern business, the tools are your packaging, software program, website, sales materials, sales people, customer service team and your advertising programs. Anything that is used to separate yourself from the overt skills and abilities of your competition can be seen as a weapon.

Here’s where you can out think your competition.

If you are largely competing and attracting customers online you need to have the best platform. It needs to be user friendly, technologically advanced and attractive to the eye. Most of all, it needs to be customer-centric and engaging to the user.

If you compete in a more traditional retail environment where current players have succumbed to the ways of the past, your innovation will attract customers and end users alike (think Krispy Kreme in the good days). If you are bringing new, innovative weapons to the category, not only will you surprise your enemy, but you will have plenty of time to execute your strategy while they struggle to pull the sword from their rusty belt.

So, have the right weapons ready to go as you head into the battle – wherever the battle may be fought

How Tough is Your Armor? – Post 3 of 5

If you are heading into battle – whether your opponent is a well-funded start-up, a seasoned veteran powerhouse or a field full of windmills – how tough is your armor?

Think of this as needing to have “thick skin”. I’m sure you’ve heard that analogy for business, right? Some people will tell you “no” an awful lot of times. Customers, banks, suppliers, brokers or anyone else in or around the industry you are trying to enter will look for a reason not to support you before they throw roses at your feet.

With tough armor you not only can maintain your confidence in tough times, but you can also be protected from the slings and arrows of your competition. Remember, these are the folks hoping you will trip over the hind leg of your horse.

So how do build up a tough skin? First, you start with a great concept. One that can be protected and insulated from those who wish you would fail quickly.

For example:

Legally, you need to look for a patent, register for trademarks and get your copyrights.

Financially, you need cash both to start up and to operate your business (expenses, employees and inventory).

Strategically, you need hard competitive advantages. These are barriers that prevent your competition from stealing your hard fought gains.

Operationally, you need the people and systems to help you run the business efficiently.

In short, a well-protected company allows confident, long-term decision-making. So build up and toughen your armor – every chance you get . . .

Who Is Your Sancho Panza? – Post 2 of 5

In the story of Don Quixote, our hero has his (mostly) faithful squire. A neighbor who is convinced to “sign on” with Don Quixote for the adventures that await. If you are an entrepreneur, are you going it alone or do you have a faithful someone to keep you on the straight and narrow.

Whether a business partner that makes up for your weaknesses or a spouse to encourage and push you along, we all need a Sancho Panza in our lives. In my experience, it is someone to hit you with the proverbial “two by four” when the dazzling lights of your vision are making it difficult for you to see what’s in front of you.

The truth is that it’s easy to lose perspective. As entrepreneurs we get tunnel vision. We see futures that others cannot. Is that extremely good vision or a form of blindness?

What I would want most from my squire is honesty, a regular kick in the pants and all the skills that I don’t have in full along with a passion to execute them. With a good squire, you can achieve your objectives without feeling like you are doing so in a vacuum.

What Horse Are You Riding? – Post 1 of 5

In Don Quixote, our hero’s horse plays an important role. The horse’s name is “Rocinante” given to it by Don Quixote himself. The name translates to “no longer a nag” – truly a horse not meant for a proud knight! Skinny and slow, our hero makes due with what he has available to him.

So, here’s my question for you: What Horse Are You Riding? What I mean is, what idea are you relying on to carry you through to success.

Does it have “legs”? (OK, that was a bad one, sorry.)

How big is this horse? Is it slow and lumbering or nimble and quick? Ask yourself how this idea fits within the pace and competitive nature of the industry you are looking to enter. How does it compare to the horses already out there – especially the others just now stepping onto the path?

As I’ve said in previous posts, the decision on which idea you choose to ride is critical. It is a big decision and one that has to be well thought out. Because once you decide to get on the chosen horse, you have to hold on tight.

Are you holding the reins or are you letting this horse take you where it wants to go? Are you holding tightly to the reins to dictate specifically which rights and which lefts your horse takes?

As with an epic battle, you need to know your horse and feel good about its temperament and abilities when you start to mix it up.

Introducing A Series - The Don Quixote In Us All

This week I am writing a series based on the story of Don Quixote. I will post five times this week employing the same basic analogy to better describe the way this story helps an entrepreneur think through their idea generation, evaluation and launch process.

I hope that this series helps to more fully explain the connection I see between the “great” Don Quixote and you . . . or me . . . or anyone with an idea to burn.

So, here’s the schedule for the week:

Monday – What Horse Are You Riding? – Post 1 of 5

Tuesday – Who Is Your Sancho Panza? – Post 2 of 5

Wednesday – How Tough is Your Armor? – Post 3 of 5

Thursday – How Strong Is Your Weapon? – Post 4 of 5

Friday – What Adventures Are You Planning? – Post 5 of 5

In the end, my hope is that these comparative ideas help you to think through your own situation – whether you are on the path already or if you have yet to step on to it.

As always, please let me know your thoughts. I write because it feels good and I write because it is a huge release for my creative energy. But I have to admit, it’s nice to know you are out there reading this blog – even if it is still an infant.

What Wikipedia has to say about Quixoting™

OK, to be honest, Wikipedia does not exactly have anything to say about this blog, Quixoting. But why would they, my site has only been out for 6 weeks! If you are a reader of this blog and want to be the first to build an entry on Wikipedia for Quixoting, you have my blessing!

In the wiki on Don Quixote, however, there is a lot of great information on the classic novel and the way the lead character has been interpreted over the years.

There is a quote on Wikipedia that a friend pointed out to me early on as I targeted Don Quixote as the inspiration for this blog and related concept. Here it is:

The novel is also responsible for the adjective quixotic, which alludes to behavior that is noble in an absurd way, or the desire to perform acts of chivalry in a radically impractical manner.

Absurd. Impractical. That's one way to look at it, yes. A punch in the gut or an opportunity?

Now if you include this quote with the results of a basic Google search, you would say: "Tim, you couldn't have picked a worse character to inspire your blog." People have used the phrase "Don Quixoting" as a negative suggesting a lack of direction, misguided.

In fact, the use of Don Quixote may make people think that this blog's author, me, has a case of the "crazies". You know, one brick shy . . .

So in defense of the "the Don" and for those of you who harbor a concern for me :-), here's how I see it:

1. The idea creation process requires a less than logical approach sometimes. In fact, some of our best creatives in world history shared a few quirks that made them "special" and allowed their creative genius to come spurting out.

2. Once the ideas are in the mind or on paper, one needs to suspend "the Don Quixote inside" to do some strong evaluation to decide which, of all the ideas created, has the best potential to succeed. See my post on this topic.

3. Once decided, the motivation to take action is another chance to tap into the spirit of Don Quixote. Take action. Because the option is to sit on your ideas and never let important parts of yourself breathe in the world of global ideas.

4. The execution of your idea needs to be done with Don Quixote locked in a closet. After being inspired to act, your actions need to be well-thought out and completed with skill and detail. If you are not a business person and do not know what it means to build a business plan, create a budget, sell your idea and deliver it successfully every time to your customers, you need a partner.

So, please do not take from this site that it is OK to launch a poorly planned, absurd idea. But - make sure that if you have done your homework and have an idea that those around you like and believe in, please do not sit on it or talk yourself out of taking action to launch it.

You see, there are many ways to kick-off a new product or idea without it being fully vetted and, I believe, getting your idea out there for the market to evaluate has tremendous merit. Writing this blog has allowed me to share this concept with you in a fairly safe environment. The cool thing is, you have the ability to share your thoughts and comments. I encourage and read every one!

As far as I can tell, I am the only voice supportive of Don Quixote's impulsive and action-oriented personality on the web. Five years from now, my hope is that the influence of this blog and future concept (idea generation, sharing, evaluation, building and launch) will help to balance out the significant perception on the web and in our culture that Don Quixote has little but comedic value to add to the business world.

So, what's holding you back?

Join me in this quest to inspire folks to take action on their ideas. Do not be afraid. If you are looking for a new job and need some options, how about starting a new business?

How can you help? Sign up for my RSS or e-mail feed. Spread the word! I'll keep writing if you keep reading.