GUEST POST from Mike Shipulski
A prototype moves us from “That’s not possible.” to “Hey, watch this!”
A prototype moves us from “We don’t do it that way.” to “Well, we do now.”
A prototype moves us from “That’s impossible.” to “As it turns out, it was only almost impossible.”
A prototype turns naysayers into enemies and profits.
A prototype moves us from an argument to a new product development project.
A prototype turns analysis-paralysis into progress.
A prototype turns a skeptical VP into a vicious advocate.
A prototype turns a pet project into top-line growth.
A prototype turns disbelievers into originators of the idea.
A prototype can turn a Digital Strategy into customer value.
A prototype can turn an uncomfortable Board of Directors meeting into a pizza party.
A prototype can save a CEO’s ass.
A prototype can be too early, but mostly they’re too late.
If the wheels fall off your first prototype, you’re doing it right.
If your prototype doesn’t dismantle the Status-Quo, you built the wrong prototype.
A good prototype violates your business model.
A prototype doesn’t care if you see it for what it is because it knows everyone else will.
A prototype turns “I don’t believe you.” into “You don’t have to.”
When you’re told “Don’t make that prototype.” you’re onto something.
A prototype eats not-invented-here for breakfast.
A prototype can overpower the staunchest critic, even the VP flavor.
A prototype moves us from “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” to “Oh, yes I do.”
If the wheels fall off your second prototype, keep going.
A prototype is objective evidence you’re trying to make a difference.
You can argue with a prototype, but you’ll lose.
If there’s a mismatch between the theory and the prototype, believe the prototype.
A prototype doesn’t have to do everything, but it must do one important thing for the first time.
A prototype must be real, but it doesn’t have to be really real.
If your prototype obsoletes your best product, congratulations.
A prototype turns political posturing into reluctant compliance and profits.
A prototype turns “What the hell are you talking about?” into “This.”
A good prototype bestows privilege on the prototype creator.
A prototype can beat a CEO in an arm-wrestling match.
A prototype doesn’t care if you like it. It only cares about creating customer value.
If there’s an argument between a well-stated theory and a well-functioning prototype, it’s pretty clear which camp will refine their theory to line up with what they just saw with their own eyes.
A prototype knows it has every right to tell the critics to “Kiss my ass.” but it knows it doesn’t have to.
You can argue with a prototype, but shouldn’t.
A prototype changes thinking without asking for consent.
Image credit: misterinnovation.com
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Having a recorded history of being part of actual change starting in HS,started changing the system in college by using open source thinking to go around closed mines always require. 3 steps. Is to open a doir the experts said was not tge way things worked. Apply nnovation to do it, community collaboration without any financial support. So had to figure out out to take what others saw as no value to build a prototype type, then a beta test & how to go from what worked in the beta test, to releasing it to in my case make a difference in the future of the young. $$ never drove the agenda. Which was the case with some but not all the innovator and inventors I got to help & became key player in change in the Global marketplace.