1. Business and Organization Design, Leadership and Management Azar & Associates/Canopy Management Group Canopy Management Fundamentals Filtering, Growing and Developing Business Ideas using Purpose, Work Volume and Flow (Updated: May 2015) Click mouse to begin

2. Filtering Raw Ideas We all have ideas for business projects or ventures—usually more than we could hope to implement. How can you quickly determine which raw ideas have the potential to be a viable venture that is “right” for you in this place at this time? Raw Ideas Developing a business plan will help you determine the potential viability of an idea. However, this is a very time consuming process that will become overwhelming if applied to each idea. Raw Idea Business Plans Ideas Worth Developing Detailed plans can be developed for those ideas that pass through the three basic filters described in this presentation. Click to continue It is much more efficient and effective to filter raw ideas BEFORE developing business plans. Filters Raw Ideas

3. 1st Filter: Purpose or So what? Personal and Business Goals: So what do I really want to do and achieve? Serve a cause, create a livelihood, keep busy, make heaps of money,…? Will this service/product help me achieve those goals? Or will it simply divert my attention from what I “really” want to do? Raw Ideas While it’s fun to dream, think and discuss “great” ideas, it is important to never, ever implement a raw idea without first passing it through a series of filters 3rd Filter: Work Activities and Volume Is this the kind of work I really want to spend my time doing? What are the key activities and tasks required to deliver this idea? Do I want to do or manage the required work? (See “Personal Goals”) How big is the pile of work associated with each activity and task? Can I do it all myself, or do I need help? If help is needed, are people with the needed knowledge and skills available? 2nd Filter: Opportunity or Who cares? Clients/Customers: Who cares enough to use and pay for this service/product? Is there a large enough pool of people willing and able to pay? Co-opetition: Who else is doing this? Is there room for one more? Can we cooperate? Constraints: What other constraints exist? Lack of trained people, permits, etc.? Only a small percentage of your ideas will make it through the filters. These are the ideas that have the greatest chance of succeeding. Three Principal Idea Filters Click to continue

4. Creating an Idea Garden Ideas Worth Developing are:  planted in an idea garden where they will be nurtured and developed  sorted by categories  developed as inputs of information become available Ideas That Don’t Develop:  will be weeded out  transplanted into someone else’s garden if they are more likely to grow there or  the Journey to Success Begins Ideas That Develop:  Can be harvested for detailed plan preparation  Implemented when ready and Click mouse to end