Business ideas have been taking some bashing in recent years. I find it astounding the number of posts in the blogoshere that suggest that ideas are worthless. The majority of these posts share a common argument - that it’s not the idea but the execution that is important.  They argue that without good execution, an idea is worth nothing. This post by Derek Sivers on the O’Reilly Network is an example of such posts, as is this one by David Cruickshank.

Now my question is - is this point even worth making? Surely it goes without saying and everyone knows that without execution an idea amounts to nothing. I just find it odd that so many people find it necessary to state this obvious point, as though there were people out there who believe that the mere conception of their brilliant ideas will magically bring them fortunes.

Furthermore, I would argue that whilst an idea that is not executed is not worth anything in itself, it is worth something if it sparks other ideas that do get executed, whether by the originator or someone with whom the originator shares the idea.

Another point that these idea bashers make is that a well executed poor idea is worth more than a poorly executed brilliant idea. Whilst this may be true, I contend that a good execution of a poor idea is itself a good idea that was sparked by the poor one. In other words, to execute an idea you have to come up with an idea of how to execute the idea you are trying to execute. And the idea you want to execute is what sparks your brilliant execution idea.

So to my mind, ideas rule.So people, please stop the idea bashing. Ideas rock and are the seeds of innovation, change and progress. And for all of you out there who can’t stop coming up with new ideas, don’t be discouraged, keep them flowing. I would say this, do try to get one or two of them executed and share the rest. As Thomas Jefferson reportedly stated (apparently in support of Open Source): “He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me“.

For some tips on what to do with your ideas, see the post 5 easy things you could do with your business idea.