The Dirty Work of getting the Job Done

Ideas and the Dirty Work of getting it Done

In the corporate world today, and perhaps others, the idea, the concept, is idolized, while sadly, the ability to execute is more likely than not taken for granted. And this will ultimately lead to an organization’s demise. As with Google, YouTube was not the first to do online video. But they were the best at making it easy – and thus the design and execution, and not just the idea lead to success. Microsoft is often criticized for rarely having any new ideas. Perhaps justified, but what they do is execute better than others. Again, their success is due to the dirty work, not the idea. Apple has taken it to a new level. The iPod was not a new idea, just a much better product. Ditto with many other Apple products.

During the first Internet wave, those companies with sound execution (the dirty work) appear to have succeeded more often, while those with just an idea, and poor execution seem to have failed. The trend is clear - Excellent execution can save a bad idea, but all ideas are doomed with poor execution. The question is, do you get it? Does your competitor?

Reprinted from a comment on Fast Company regarding their article on what was more valuable, new ideas, or the dirty work of transforming ideas into workable solutions. FROM THE EDITOR OF FAST COMPANY: CRUDE IDEAS, Robert Safian.