Is there such a thing as a 'Bad Idea'?

Matt_Shields

Let's say you have an idea that you want to bring to market. You probably feel that you have a winner in your hands and you're already planning for retirement. It may be big and brilliant. You may even have a vision of becoming the next-gen thought leader and innovator right now.  No matter what that idea is, it all boils down to one big question: Can you turn that great concept into a soul-satisfying reality?

Why Do Most Ideas Only See a Crack of the Light of Day?

Wild Guess: It's Not Really About Your Idea. A lot of entrepreneurs have failed not because...

... Their ideas are not 'unique'...

... They don't know any better...

... They don't think outside the square...

... They don't work hard enough...

But because they have not mastered the art of traversing through the ups and downs of bringing their ideas to life with prototypes.  

Not everyone will agree, I know. Feel free to chime in! 

Helen Larsen

Hi, Matt! You're right, not everyone will agree Sometimes the only right way is to stop business in a good time. The reasons could be different: a wrong idea, no demand and so on... 

Tom Adams

Of course, when you create your business-plan you have to understand all risks and  be ready to failure 

CurtisMLee

Well, it all depends on how you look at it.

There are obviously ideas that appear unfeasible, impractical, irrational, harmful and potentially devastating. No one of sound mind would propose implementing such an idea, assuming they truly believed it to be “bad.”

The real question is not whether such ideas are “bad,” but rather, should those ideas be cast aside as soon as they’re voiced?

ShaneMurray

Agree or not, but often entrepreneurs fail because they are complacent and greedy, confident that they will change the world, but in fact, the idea is far from ideal.

Matt_Shields

Thanks @Helen Larsen @Tom Adams @CurtisMLee @ShaneMurray for your thoughts! Just realized that this is more of a subjective question and so, answers may vary.

Maybe, all ideas are great to start with. The implementation is what makes it bad. It's only with getting traction that you can separate a viable business vs a mere concept.