Here are the top 10 lessons we learned when creating a new L&D product

Three years ago we decided that something could be (and should be) done about in-house leadership and team training systems. In short, we had an idea. So we built our own syllabus and system, from scratch, using expert contributors, experience from every business sector imaginable, from elite sport, and from end user feedback. It’s been quite the journey, and as we reached our final triumphant destination some time ago, I thought it’d be nice to share our top ten tips for anyone thinking of creating something/anything that they’re passionate about. Off we go….

One: Keep going. This is a tip that will become quite important quite early on when lots of people tell you that your brilliant idea is actually rubbish / been done before / will never work.

Two: Believe. Tip two is a bit of a cop-out as it’s very similar to tip one, but there’s a key difference. Keeping going mindlessly, and being fuelled by genuine belief, are two different things. We never ever stopped believing in Leaderbox, and that made us invincible/stubborn deluded idiots (both of these definitions mean that you charge on with positively tectonic energy).

Three: People Are Supportive. We found during the many bumps in the road, that leaning on a few folks for support, asking questions, seeking advice, and generally reaching out, always reaped rewards. We were helped by some lovely folks along the way, just because we asked.

Four: Be Proud. Lots of people act on their big idea, but lots of people don’t. Be proud of the risk you’re taking. Be proud that you couldn’t let it lie. And be proud of the fact that you won’t die wondering (because most people do). Enjoy the ride. 

Five: You’ll Have No Time / Money / Assets. There will be a million different demands on your time, on you, and on your wallet. And one of you is never enough. But sometimes one of you is all you have. Turning your big idea into a reality will age you twenty years, and make you feel young again, all at the same time.

Six: Test, test, test. Pull in a wide audience to test your system. Pull in friends, colleagues, L&D experts, willing companies and organisations. Pull in those with different ages, experience and views. Their feedback is hugely valuable to aid improvement and to provide encouragement that the system works.

Seven: Have the Courage of Your Convictions. As your big idea gains momentum and interest, lots more people will want to get involved. And they’ll all have their own ideas of what you should be doing with your big idea. But trust your judgement, hold your ground, and remember it’s not the “big idea” part that’s important, it’s that you were the one to come up with it. 

Eight: Enthusiasm Conversion. Most people like a new idea, as long as they don’t have to risk anything or spend money on it. So, as much as we loved lots of enthusiastic support, converting that to sales was something else entirely. 

Nine: It’s All About Marketing. Widgets, woggles, woodcraft, wire brushes, and wonderful ideas. None of them get anywhere without marketing. 

Ten: Cherish Your Early Customers. Remember that little jig you danced around the office when you got that first order? That’s because someone has taken a chance on you and invested their hard earned cash. That means you should do whatever they want, forever. We love our first customers - we love all our customers - but in particular, we love our pioneer Leaderbox adopters. Bold, startlingly attractive, erudite, clean-limbed business visionaries one and all.

And that’s it. Good luck to our fellow travellers!

Monty and Mark - Leaderbox Founders