From Spark to Strategy: Turning Ideas into Reality

Has it ever happened that a sparkling idea comes to your mind, occupies your thoughts, heart, and very soul, but you don’t have a clue about what to do next? You may ignore that surge, but it stays in the back of your mind, tickling and prickling you. If your answer is “no”, then you are a lucky person. If you answer “yes”, I share your feelings.

A lot of people have amazing ideas but don’t know how to bring them to life or put them to good use. That’s where I step in to help out. My job is to listen, understand, and guide. I don’t try to change the ideas, I shape them. I provide structure to what’s already there and help to plan the next moves. Let’s take a closer look at how I do this.

Step 1. Every Thought is Worth Sharing

At this stage, you should stop doubting whether something is worth mentioning. Open up! If you have it in mind, spill it and we’ll find a way to use it.

I need to understand your idea. Tell me the requirements and don’t worry about structure or consistency, we’ll cover this later. For now, just talk to me. Share your thoughts on the project, key features, must-haves, color preferences, target audience, media of communication with end-users, risks, fears, biases, and… whatever comes to your mind and seems relevant.

Step 2. Shaping and Structuring Your Idea for Success

Earlier, you were talking and I was listening. At this stage, let me do the talking.

Allow me to shape your idea, give it a structure, and make things consistent. I take your requirements and translate them into project features. Also, I enhance the project vision through visuals — sketches, design samples, color schemes, fonts, etc. Anything that brings clarity works. I will bombard you with questions because my goal is to sculpt your idea and show you what it can be.

Step 3. Defining Your Project Vision and Setting the Path Forward

Now, we work as a team, talk in turns, and listen to each other.

It is time to finalize and define the project vision with all ins and outs. We agree on the direction for further development, set initial priorities, dot the i’s, and cross the t’s. By the end of this stage, you have a clear picture of what and how it will be done. You will have every clue in regard to your next steps. All you needed was to voice your sparkling idea and to be heard.

To wrap it all up

It always seems easier to solve somebody else’s problems. Because you are unbiased, you may find a way out quicker. So it often happens that people come to a solution themselves once they tell somebody what bothers them. Hearing oneself, as if from outside, helps. However, you should have somebody to talk to, and that’s when you can count on me.

Written by Uliana Khmel