Proven tips to spark interest with higher-ups
Your goal is to capture a Valuable improvement Idea in 140 characters or less.
Here's how:
1. Start with an action verb
The strongest verbs imply business value. Some examples:
Reduce, decrease, eliminate, discontinue
Increase, implement, create
Replace, substitute, reuse
Automate, consolidate, simplify
Outsource, insource, relocate
See Action Verbs for Valuable Ideas to strengthen your phrasing and make a strong pitch.
2. Describe a specific, concrete change that benefits the business
What will the company start or stop doing? What difference will it make? Some examples:
Increase customer service fees by 50% for accounts above $50k.
Consolidate vendors of paper products to obtain volume pricing.
Reduce outside legal expense by in-sourcing contract work.
Replace fleet vehicles with ride-share service.
3. Make the value proposition clear and concise
Tips
Remove warm-up phrases. (e.g., "I think we should...")
Stick to one change per Idea.
Describe concrete action, not preparatory steps like analysis or review.
Read the Idea pitch aloud. Does it flow? Is it clear?
Make sure you answer the questions, "What will improve? Why is this idea valuable?"
See Guesstimate Value to show the financial impact of your Valuable Idea.