Ideas Are the Easy Part

One of the best aspects of my role as Fahrenheit 212’s COO is that I’m the first person candidates meet when they’re interviewing for a job. No matter how many people I interview, I am constantly astounded by the ideas they bring to our conversations. Amazing, amazing ideas with clear market opportunities.

Drinks that prevent hangovers.

Athletic clothes that go beyond wicking and actually hydrate.

A service called Dial A Mom that would provide all the services you want when you’re sick –making doctor appointments, picking up your prescriptions, even sending chicken soup. And the best part is the business would be staffed by actual retired moms. They would get paid for doing what comes naturally and sick people would get what exactly what they want at exactly the right moment. Genius!

The point is, great ideas are everywhere. Online, off line, even in a line at Starbucks, today’s culture consists of people who are constantly dreaming up new things that should exist. And as a result, I think most readers would likely agree that the old adage is true: ideas can indeed come from anywhere.

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About the Author

Pete Maulik is Partner and Chief Operating Officer at innovation consultancy Fahrenheit 212. He is instrumental in the development, evolution and actualization of clients’ innovation efforts. His experience includes leading innovation projects in the alcohol, technology, FMCG, software, beauty, financial services and hospitality categories. Pete is responsible for unleashing the potential of the Fahrenheit 212 organization. This includes finding world-class people, giving them a structure in which they can perform at their peak and ensuring Fahrenheit 212 is delivering transformational innovations on every project.

Pete has spoken on the power of bringing creativity to business at Columbia Business School, Pace University, American Marketing Association’s Quarterly Meetings, The Art Director’s Club of New York, ESSEC and Fordham Business School.

He holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

JMR says:

December 11, 2010 at 2:04 pm

I whole-heartedly agree that “the journey from conceptualization to commercialization is often when the real break-through thinking happens.” As someone who has attempted to bring a new online venture to market, the most valuable insights were learned through the design work… somewhere between defining the consumer’s need (the lightning in a bottle) and designing a user experience to deliver it. It’s helpful to develop the user experience at the same time as the business model, because it’s that back and forth—shifting between perspectives—that allows you to understand the complexities and identify channels to create value (which are often obscure but can be applied elsewhere). Even if the idea never reaches the finish line as an “innovation”, there is a ton of value to be found through an iterative design process…in between the money and the magic. An interesting discussion on this topic: http://gangemithinkingdesign.blogspot.com/2010/06/educationbusinessdesign-conversation.html. Cheers.