What do you do if your innovative project is struggling to gain traction?

As consultants, it's crucial to acknowledge when our proposal isn't effective, even if we believe it suits the company or the client. A great consultant is one who can quickly adapt, iterate, and pivot from one idea to another. Remember, you're not the sole beneficiary of the innovation; your client stakeholders are too. Therefore, be prepared to embrace change and demonstrate resilience swiftly before they decide to part ways with you.

When faced with a struggling project, it's essential to look beyond just the goals themselves. Often, the issue lies not in the clarity or attainability of the goals, but in how they're communicated and integrated into the project's broader narrative. It's about storytelling - ensuring that the project's goals resonate deeply with the audience by crafting a compelling narrative that highlights the value and impact of the project. This approach can help reinvigorate interest and support, driving greater traction and success.

Iterate and pivot: Be open to iterating on the project based on feedback and insights gained from evaluation and feedback. Consider making incremental improvements, adjustments, or pivots to the project to better align with user needs, market dynamics, and emerging trends. Continuously monitor progress and performance, and be willing to adapt and evolve as needed. Stay resilient and persistent: Building traction for an innovative project often takes time, effort, and perseverance. Stay resilient and persistent in your efforts, even in the face of setbacks or challenges. Keep focused on the project's long-term vision and goals, and remain flexible and adaptable in your approach.

The visibility of any project depends on how well its objectives align with the organization's goal. To gain traction, the project leadership should continuously review the stakeholders' needs and ensure that the deliverables align with the requirements and communicate on progress timely. Any hard work and genius will be futile if it is not in alignment with the organization's long-term strategy.

If my innovative project is struggling to gain traction, I would first assess the situation by seeking feedback from potential users or stakeholders. Understanding their perspectives could reveal insights into why the project isn't resonating. Next, I would refine the project based on this feedback, focusing on addressing key pain points or enhancing its value proposition. Additionally, I would explore different marketing or outreach strategies to increase visibility and attract interest. Persistence, adaptation, and user-centricity are key to overcoming challenges and gaining traction with innovative projects.

Find those who would challenge your ideas and those willing to provide critical thinking. Those are your VIP beta-testers... One quality feedback from this group is worth tens of survey feedbacks and social media interactions. Challenge yourself! Don't go the easy way and engage individuals that would easily agree with you and vouch for your confirmation bias.

When my innovative projects face challenges gaining traction, I tap into my extensive network for support. I believe in the power of collaboration and leveraging connections to drive success. I reach out to industry experts, mentors, and colleagues who can offer valuable insights and guidance. By sharing my project's vision, challenges, and potential opportunities, I invite input and collaboration that can spark new ideas and strategies. Networking isn't just about making connections; it's about cultivating meaningful relationships built on trust and mutual support. Through collaborative efforts and leveraging my network's diverse expertise, I strive to overcome obstacles and propel my innovative projects forward.

An innovation without a story to explain its originality will remain invisible and not attract early adopters. Not being able to explain your solution in a simple story-board shows that you are not really tending to a pain point. If you're in a Red Ocean (competitive well-known markets), you should be able to tell why your innovation presents a different take compared to other existing solutions. And if you're in a Blue Ocean (uncharted territory), you should be able to tell a story of how the world would be different with or without your innovation.

To get traction for an innovative project that's stalling, I loop in sponsors and leadership to share the vision with stakeholders. This helps build momentum and support to move the project forward.