Every bit of Blu-tack counts

"Every bit of Blu-tack counts."

I heard someone say this today. It was someone that's great to work with even when we disagree - I reckon they'll fall into the point 2 camp that you'll find later in this blog.

Sometimes the title of blogs I read are so delightful that the blog itself cannot live up to it. "Every bit of Blu-tack counts"  is one of those.

Upon hearing it said, I immediately thought 'that sounds like a great blog title'. A shame then that it's too nice a title to spoil with a blog. So I will abandon the blog there.

 You will now feel one of two emotions: 
1) That you have wasted your time reading this blog
OR
2) Be inspired to think and contemplate the many usages of such a title.

If the former strikes a chord with you, we are unlikely to have much in common and you're probably too busy muttering a snide remark or jibe in the direction of someone with real talent. There's a good chance you dream of carrying a placard that says "Down with this sort of thing" but never dare to even take that tepid protest a stage further and realise it.

However, if the latter, we should meet for coffee, perhaps some cake, and then work out how together we can make a difference whilst turning the world on its head. I'll bet you're not a huge fan of steering groups for most challenges, and have a creative streak that I'd probably admire.

There's a very good chance that you're smart enough to be sending a DM to @thatPRman right now. Speak soon then.....

PS Be brave good people.....be brave - dare to dare. #creativity
PPS I bet if you chose emotion 2 you've just realised you're in both camps after all.
PPPS If you've just said "What a load of..." - you're right.

"I wonder if...."

Anyone that knows me knows I love ideas. Grand, small, ambitious or simple ideas, they all float my boat. To me they're like air. I need them and when they're as fresh as a chilly morning they excite and inspire me. Here’s my quick guide to ideas about ideas.

1) Never be afraid to have an idea. Every great idea starts with a “I wonder if….” moment.

2) Don't worry about having bad ideas, they're the route to great ideas - nobody just has great ideas. The trick is applying a filter to ascertain what's good and what isn't. Just don't implement an idea until you are sure as can be that every particle has been filtered.

3) Be prepared to fail. The greatest ideas are fraught with the greatest challenges, some of which will be out of your control. That is not a reason not to pursue them though.

4) Never sit on a good idea. By all means schedule the idea for the most opportune time but doing nothing shouldn't be an option

5) It's fine to copy ideas (just don't breach copyright). Someone once said to me “Why shouldn’t I copy an idea. After all, that way I know it works” – Fair comment, though always apply number 10 of these points.

6) Find your own angle to ideas other people have. Look outside your industry/business and see if their ideas that you can tailor.

7) Trade ideas with other ideas people. This can be incredibly productive and more often than not inspires extra ideas for all concerned. I speak to my contacts constantly running ideas I have past them, testing the water.

8) It's good to be an ideas square peg for a banality round hole as long as you remember what you need to achieve from being so.

9) Always credit the people whose ideas you use or who inspire ideas from you. You may be the one implementing them but you should still doff your cap to the original ideas person and/or idea inspiration. Failing to do so is tantamount to stealing the idea, which leads me nicely to…….

10) Never try to, or accept, credit for ideas that are not your own. Anyone who has ideas will have experienced this and found it to be royally frustrating.

There you go – ideas about ideas. I look forward to hearing yours soon.