Make your ideas heard

Are you having difficulty getting people at work to listen to your ideas? If so, you need to figure out why before you start pitching more of them. Subtle changes in the way you express your ideas can make a world of difference.

Consider the following: You could lack confidence in your presentation, causing listeners to tune out. Perhaps your ideas are not as good as you think they are, or you have a history of off-the-wall brainstorms that never come to fruition.

Ask your boss or a colleague what you can do to improve. Listen to their feedback and don’t be discouraged. It’s important to ask yourself if your idea is really practical, and how would the business benefit if the idea were carried out. Do you have evidence to back up your idea, and are there any negative consequences? Keep an “idea log” handy and whenever a new idea comes to mind, jot it down.

As you refine your pitch, remember to ask:

- Who in the company needs to agree with your idea?
- How long will it take to implement, and what are the costs?
- Are there any risks?
- What strategies can you use to influence people to buy into the idea?
- Just remember: Innovation is as much about implementation as it is about creativity.

Adapted from BlueSuitMom.com