37signals's e-book helps you to get real in the realm of business, design, programming, and marketing.
Amongst many favorite parts in this book, this is my most favorite part:
Be an executioner!
It's so funny when I hear people being so protective of ideas - people who want me to sign an nda to tell me the simplest idea. To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions. Explanation:
Idea quality
- Awful idea = -1
- Weak idea = 1
- So-so idea = 5
- Good idea = 10
- Great idea = 15
- Brilliant idea = 20
Execution
- No execution = $1
- Weak execution = $1000
- So-so execution = $10,000
- Good execution = $100,000
- Great execution = $1,000,000
- Brilliant execution = $10,000,000
To make a business, you need to multiply the two.
The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20.
The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000.
That's why I don't want to hear people's ideas. I'm not interested until I see their execution.
- Derek Sivers, president and programmer, CD Baby and HostBaby
