Lost in translation 🧭

Have you ever invented something? ✨

And then showed it to someone else? 

And they had no idea what you were talking about? ❓

Kind of a bummer isn’t it? ☹️

It’s happened to me a lot!

But it’s happened enough that I’m starting to find ways to avoid it.

Here are a few tips that might keep your idea from getting lost in translation!

🔹Establish a baseline - Start by making sure you both understand the current state of the art. What’s the best example of how “it” is done without your idea

🔹Identify the problem - Look closely at the existing solution, and talk about what could be better. Talk about what’s already good too!

🔹Describe the details - Show what changes between your idea and the “old” way. You may need to break down the current solution’s functionality into smaller chunks, discard the parts you’re not using anymore, then add your new stuff in.

🔹Show the improvement - Now that we understand how your idea works, highlight why it’s better. Cheaper, faster, more efficient, cooler - whatever. Nothing’s ever free though, so I’d suggest talking about the tradeoffs too - what got worse?

What do you think? How do you approach describing something new?

-Brian Schoolcraft

Set it free 💡

Do you ever catch yourself protecting an idea from the outside world? 🌎

Just me? 😆

When it stays in my head, it isn’t challenged. 😶

My assumptions are valid. ✅

The idea is, inherently, good - I’m the only one to judge it. ✨

But when I share it with someone, it’s no longer mine. 👐

Assumptions are challenged. 😬

It might not actually be that great (or it might be!). ⁉️

But it’s a little more real.

Do you have an idea you need to set free?

I’m challenging myself to ask that question more often.

Anyone want to join me?

New Domain? No Problem 😁

Have you ever applied your experience and skills to a new domain? 🤔

You probably have.

I get the chance to do this pretty often.

It’s one of the things I love most about the work we do at GNB.

But it’s not always easy! 😅

How do you approach it? 

That's an honest question - 

I'd love to hear any strategies you have in the comments! 👇

To get things started, here are a few thoughts from my side of the screen:

VocabularyThis is often one of the first hurdles you’ll face. 

You can’t even do a good google search unless you know what your new industry calls things.

🔹At minimum - notice common phrases or acronyms, and relate them back to things you already know. 

🔹Even better - build yourself a glossary, now you have something you can share with your team!

READ

Give yourself half an hour or so a day to just read.

Research Papers, White Papers, Industry Publications

Try to start with “overview” papers. 

Keywords like this seem to help find the good ones quickly

🔹Survey

🔹Use Cases

🔹Review

🔹Comparison

🔹Meta-Analysis

🔹(any others??)

I typically start by skimming through, mostly looking at charts and figures.

When I see what I’m looking for, I dig deeper.

Breadcrumbs

At the early stage of your research, you’ll probably feel pretty scattered.

I often find that I read something - and I miss its importance.

The next day I read a different article that unlocks something from the first

Except now I can’t find it again 🤦

🔹At minimum - Review your browser history to jog your memory

🔹Even better - keep a running notes file dedicated to your exploration. Drop a link to everything that’s remotely useful, jot yourself a note or grab a screenshot.

After you’ve learned a bit more, go back through your notes and see if anything new jumps out at you. 

What about you? Any tips or tricks you’ve learned over the years?

How do you digest a new industry or market quickly?