Gaining Support

Do you have the answers to questions they might ask you?

Organizations need to innovate, but they cannot do everything. They need to explore options and then make tough decisions about which ideas they will back and why. You can influence these decisions to your advantage -- if you know your organization is trying to put together a portfolio of projects that balance risk and reward, you can try and make them include yours in the mix.

But you need to present your idea in such a way that its merits are clear. Ask yourself how you can engage them -- can you show them a prototype so they can add their comments? Do you have the answers to questions they might ask you? And do you come across as being passionate about the projects -- will they believe in you?

ACTION POINT: Examine innovation projects to determine their merit and benefit to the organization.