Coming up with a great idea is the easy part. Turning that idea into something real—something that drives revenue, solves a problem, or changes the game—is where most businesses struggle. In fact, research from McKinsey shows that only 6% of executives are satisfied with their company’s innovation performance. Why? Because having an idea and executing on it are two entirely different challenges.
At Saulsberry Group, we work with businesses that know they need to innovate but often get stuck somewhere between brainstorming and execution. If you’ve ever felt like your team has great ideas that never gain traction, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s a proven path to making innovation actually happen.
1. Get Crystal Clear on the Problem You’re Solving
Too many organizations launch initiatives without fully understanding the problem they’re addressing. A study by CB Insights found that 42% of failed startups cited ‘no market need’ as their primary reason for shutting down.
How to Fix It: Before moving forward with an idea, ask: What problem does this solve? Who is experiencing this problem? Is the pain point urgent enough for people to care? If you can’t answer these questions with confidence, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
2. Validate Your Idea with the Right Audience
Just because an idea sounds great in a boardroom doesn’t mean it will succeed in the market. Many businesses fall into the trap of developing products or services based on assumptions rather than real customer insights.
How to Fix It: Use Design Thinking to test and refine ideas. This means getting your concept in front of real users early, gathering feedback, and making necessary adjustments before investing heavily in development. A simple prototype or pilot program can reveal gaps and opportunities that would otherwise be missed.
3. Develop a Roadmap with Clear Ownership
Execution fails when there’s no structured plan. According to the Project Management Institute, organizations waste 11.4% of investment due to poor project performance.
How to Fix It: Create a Transformation Management Program that breaks the process into actionable steps. Define key milestones, assign ownership, and set realistic timelines. Without accountability and structure, even the best ideas can stall.
4. Secure Buy-In from Key Stakeholders
Even the most groundbreaking ideas will fail if leadership and key stakeholders aren’t on board. Resistance to change is one of the biggest barriers to execution, with studies showing that 62% of employees hesitate to adopt new processes due to uncertainty or lack of leadership support.
How to Fix It: Communicate the value of your initiative early and often. Show stakeholders how the innovation aligns with business objectives, increases efficiency, or drives revenue. When leadership actively supports an initiative, the rest of the organization is more likely to follow.
5. Measure Progress and Adapt as Needed
The biggest mistake companies make is treating execution as a “set it and forget it” process. Without ongoing measurement, it’s impossible to know whether an idea is gaining traction or needs adjustment.
How to Fix It: Set clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) from the start. Whether it’s adoption rates, customer satisfaction, or financial impact, tracking progress allows for data-driven decision-making. Be willing to pivot if the data suggests something isn’t working.
The Bottom Line: Execution is Everything
Innovation without execution is just wishful thinking. If your company struggles to move ideas from concept to reality, it’s time for a new approach. At Saulsberry Group, we help businesses not only develop innovative strategies but also execute them effectively.
If you’re ready to take your ideas beyond brainstorming and into action, let’s talk.
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