Blog post 7 Inspire

INSIGHT 6 | CLARITY MATTERS

Can you explain to others where you’re heading?

Is it clear why they should come along for the ride?

That’s something I’m constantly wrestling with.

How about you?

in⁶ | Clarity Matters 

Tactical nous... A shared vision

The artistry of a master tactician is a cocktail of vision and people management. Few would argue with the credentials of either Alex Ferguson or Pep Guardiola, who crossed swords all too fleetingly. From different eras, on opposite sides of the Manchester divide, coined as noisy neighbours when the power shifted from red to blue.

Understandably the standards and level of performance they set, mirrored the expectation of the brand they were representing. Of course, it’s easier to implement your meticulously laid plans when backed by large squads built with huge budgets.

That is unless you support the team I do, where investment backed by poor judgement and even poorer tactical management has delivered, a dire brand of football, alienated fans and kept the trophy cupboard almost threadbare. Now ‘almost’ for us loyal fans is just enough to keep us onside. Few and far between is how the instances of our success can best be described, yet ever the optimist there’s comfort in the knowledge we know how to succeed; as a club we just need to make the right choices.

Granted a big team with a big budget is a luxury your talent and ambition surely deserve, but your finances might beg to differ.

However, size and scale aren’t everything. Your strength is in being agile, living up to your own aspirations. The team you assemble will be bound together by your passion, but they will need more than that. You’re going to need a clear vision for your product and that’s where the plan formulating in your mind needs to be formalised on paper; to see the light of day. 

It’s true for all businesses but for team SME clarity is crucial, critical for your game-plan, your playbook. So, it’s time to apply your nowse, that quintessentially British blend of instinct and intelligence.

Distilling all that ambition into a crystal-clear purpose statement will prove to be the tactical masterclass. It sets the formation for how you’ll square up to the competition.

That alone is not enough, you’ll also need a value proposition, one that sets the standard for everyone involved in delivery to live up to.

Now distilling all that you stand for into just a couple of lines is no mean task. By way of example, and since I’m in the box seat setting the narrative, it seems only right to explore my own.

A simple headline could read…

I help people like you bring your ideas to market.

At the same time, I bring my own ideas to market.

But it’s important to be specific, otherwise you’ll never reach your desired audience. So here goes…

My Purpose Statement…

Why I Do It

I’m passionate about making people’s lives better, developing innovative products that are designed for the user and built to last.

What I Do

Through incub8ideas, I help SMEs and entrepreneurs do the same, turning ideas with the potential to do good, into intuitive, practical-to-make, UK-built solutions through a collaborative, end-to-end approach.

Value Proposition… How I do it

I bring a fresh perspective and inventive mindset, grounded by global innovation experience and delivered through an open, collaborative, hands-on approach.

As I live the same experience every day, I’m best placed to share practical, simple processes that bring clarity and impact to your innovation journey.

Essence… What I Stand For

Innovation Simplified… Ideas. Understood, Designed and Delivered.

Clarity over complexity, everything in collaboration, making an impact that lasts.

Ethos… What I Believe

The simplest ideas often carry the greatest impact.

I strive to create products designed with purpose to serve an even greater purpose, the user.

Everything flows from this condensed message grouping.

• The purpose mirrors my ethos.

• The Value Proposition defines it.

• My digital presence amplifies it.

• This in³ series book expresses it.

• Client delivery proves it

And what makes me different from others offering similar services?

Many have valuable experience and perspective, but few are actively innovating while helping others do the same.

My personal unique selling point, a USP distilled…

Look in the mirror and you’ll see me. In return I’ll know you.

So come on then, it’s your turn.

Let’s hear all about yours.