An idea is an abstract concept, a thought or belief about something which is yet to exist. When abstract ideas are presented to diverse audiences they are prone to being interpreted in multiple ways.
Even within the same audience, it is possible for people to form different perceptions about an idea even when presented with exactly the same information. This is because everyone has a unique blend of knowledge and experience which can influence their perception about the concept or idea.
There’s an expression in business that perception is reality. Ideas in their infancy – particularly complex or novel ones – are vulnerable to misunderstandings and misconceptions. It is therefore essential to keep the perception of your idea consistent regardless of the audience. There are a number of ways of doing this and three effective methods include:
1 – Comparison
Comparing it to an existing product or solution in another market or industry – there is nothing new under the sun; is there a similar product or solution to yours that is already successfully used in a different application or market that might be relatable for your audience? If so, use it to help explain yours.
2 – First principles
Breakdown the idea into its fundamental building blocks, i.e. all the necessary components of the technology and how they all fit together to make up the product. This technique works particularly well with niche products that typically require specialist knowledge to understand.
Stripping complex ideas back to first principles makes it far easier to explain to a wider audience. When they can all see the main blocks, it makes it easier to show how your ‘magic sauce’ completes the product or solution.
3 – Mock-ups
Pitching ideas in a presentation, no matter how polished or well crafted, is NOT the same as putting something tangible – even simple mock-ups – into the hands of a prospective customer or investor for them to see and touch. Seeing really is believing. Creating a proof of concept or prototype is not as complicated as it seems.
If you are preparing to explain your idea to investors or prospective customers think about how you can craft your presentation and ensure a consistent perception of your product or solution using one or more of the methods above. This consistency can help minimise the risk of misunderstandings and keep everyone on the same page.
