How to Get Your Wildest Ideas Approved Fast!

Key Concepts:

• Presenting ideas in stages (mild, medium, spicy)
• Getting commitment to a bold statement
• Acclimation to a new aesthetic through repeated exposure
• Gradual onboarding and familiarization
• The "six-course meal" approach to presenting ideas

1. Presenting Ideas in Stages (Mild, Medium, Spicy):

The speaker emphasizes the importance of not overwhelming clients with radical ideas immediately. Instead, they suggest presenting three options: mild, medium, and spicy. This allows the client to gradually acclimate to more unconventional concepts. The speaker states, "I would present to them probably three options like mild medium and spicy." This approach allows for a smoother transition and increases the likelihood of the client accepting a bolder idea.

2. Getting Commitment to a Bold Statement:

A key strategy is to get the client to commit to a bold statement or vision early in the process. The speaker explains, "we first get them to fall in love with the big idea and we get them to commit to the bold statement they're about to make." This commitment is then used as leverage to ensure that subsequent ideas align with the agreed-upon vision. The speaker warns, "if you say you're recklessly wildly crazy we cannot look at any boring concepts cuz you can't say one thing out of your mouth and point with a different finger it doesn't work."

3. Acclimation to a New Aesthetic Through Repeated Exposure:

The speaker draws a parallel to the fashion industry, noting that initial resistance to new styles often diminishes with repeated exposure. They suggest showing clients "loose mood boards or some sketchy ideas" to help them acclimate to the new aesthetic over time. This gradual exposure makes the client more receptive to bolder concepts.

4. Gradual Onboarding and Familiarization:

The speaker uses the example of interior designers to illustrate the importance of gradual onboarding. Interior designers use mood boards, material swatches, and sketches to help clients visualize the final outcome. This allows clients to "see the vision" and become comfortable with the proposed changes. The speaker notes, "if you were just to show up one day and your home were totally different you would probably freak out even though objectively speaking is superior you wouldn't accept it because we don't like that much change that quickly."

5. The "Six-Course Meal" Approach:

The speaker uses the analogy of a six-course meal to describe the process of introducing a big idea. Each course prepares the palate for the next, gradually leading the client to accept the final, potentially unconventional concept. The speaker contrasts this with presenting "sashimi tuna" (a raw, potentially off-putting dish) as the first experience with sushi, which is likely to result in rejection. The speaker says, "instead of thinking of it as one course meal think of it like a six course meal everything's going to prepare your pallet for this little adventure so that you can accept this thing that I want to share with."

6. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Mood Boards: Visual presentations of design ideas, including images, colors, and materials.
• Aesthetic: A set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.
• Onboarding: The process of integrating a new client or customer into a company or service.

7. Logical Connections:

The speaker builds a logical argument for gradual introduction and familiarization. Starting with the idea of presenting options (mild, medium, spicy), they move to the importance of securing commitment to a bold statement. This commitment then justifies the introduction of increasingly unconventional ideas. The analogy of the six-course meal ties together the concepts of gradual exposure and preparation, reinforcing the idea that clients need to be eased into new concepts rather than overwhelmed.

8. Notable Quotes:

• "I would present to them probably three options like mild medium and spicy."
• "we first get them to fall in love with the big idea and we get them to commit to the bold statement they're about to make."
• "if you say you're recklessly wildly crazy we cannot look at any boring concepts cuz you can't say one thing out of your mouth and point with a different finger it doesn't work."
• "if you were just to show up one day and your home were totally different you would probably freak out even though objectively speaking is superior you wouldn't accept it because we don't like that much change that quickly."
• "instead of thinking of it as one course meal think of it like a six course meal everything's going to prepare your pallet for this little adventure so that you can accept this thing that I want to share with."

9. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The key takeaway is that getting approval for "big, crazy ideas" requires a strategic approach that prioritizes gradual familiarization and client buy-in. By presenting ideas in stages, securing commitment to a bold vision, and using techniques like mood boards and the "six-course meal" approach, it's possible to overcome initial resistance and gain acceptance for even the most unconventional concepts. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding human psychology and the need to avoid overwhelming clients with too much change too quickly.