Accessibility...once again.

When it comes to ideas (a product idea, a creative idea and even a brand idea), especially when they are innovative in nature,  what's germane to its development and growth and ultimately the idea's ability to have a far reaching impact?

Accessibility (as I've discussed before).

A notion communicated, and you get it. A concept easily understood. Complexity made simple.

In order for forward thinking ideas to permeate the market, and become successful, they need to be able to resonate with an audience. Enthusiasm emerges because there is the realization of the amount of value at the table (and now people are forking over dollars for it). Exploration for the right business model ensues because revenue can be made. And now determining how to scale... 

At the root, can people wrap their minds around your idea and apply it to their everyday lives? Are they able to mentally access it's worth and then share/communicate that with others? This is often a challenge with  thought leaders, innovators and visionaries. Big ideas without the gravity of practicality.

Maybe in some cases we're not even dealing with something that's 'leading edge'. Maybe it's just a product idea that you and everyone else who sees the world just like you thinks is great. You thought the idea had great potential, but once you tried to take it to market, it really didn't have any legs to stand on. Folks outside of your circle, people you don't normally interact with (the larger market) looked at it, saw no value, and the idea went nowhere. It happens...

At the end of the day if your idea doesn't have a certain degree of mass sensibility, then what you are advocating will be marginal. And as many would agree, marginal is problematic.

Now when it comes 'idea sharing' no one reflects this better than TED: A global set of conferences focusing on forward thinking concepts, beliefs and practices from health to science to business. I've personally been a huge fan of TED for years now. I'm even the co-founder of TEDxWDC (TEDxWashingtonDC). One of my biggest issues with TED though, as awesome they are, their "ideas worth spreading" (the organizations slogan), don't actually spread that far. For the most part the TED brand pretty much only has awareness within the 'innovation community.' Innovators talking to innovators. Not a problem in and of itself but if you have a great idea that can 'change the world'....talking to other fellow visionaries will have only a limited impact.

So when I came across the "Spread the TED" video from the folks over at TEDxBuenosAires...loved it.

Check it out.