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Idea + Secrecy = Stolen Idea

February 21, 2008

The image “http://sharonweinberger.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/Top-Secret82619.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.Over the past couple of months I have written several posts on ideas and their value.  Specifically, I argue that ideas without execution are relatively worthless.  The first step in execution is to share your idea.  My thought is that you should share your idea as broadly as you can (assuming you do not have the expertise, time and capital to execute in a vacuum).  The reason is simple, by sharing your ideas you are a) more likely to find the right people to help you execute and b) your idea is less likely to be stolen.  If you limit the number of people you share your idea with, or limit the amount of information you provide about your idea; the more likely your idea will be stolen.  How come?

Ironically, by limiting the dissemination of your idea you create ‘potential’ value to someone who can a) figure out your idea,  b) has the ability to execute on your idea and c) you create an incentive to exclude your involvement.  If you tell me about your awesome idea, but let me know you are leaving out three very secret ingredients you are baiting me to spend time trying to figure out your secrets.  I might assume that if I could figure out the three secret ingredients I could very easily execute on your ‘awesome’ idea without you.  The fact that only you and I would know about your idea would create value - i.e. scarcity of knowledge is valuable.  I would feel comfortable excluding you because you didn’t tell me your secret and I was smart enough to figure it out without you (not to mention the fact that you would want to KILL me).

On the other hand lets say you tell me about your idea without holding back it is VERY unlikely that I will invest any time on your idea without your involvement.  There is no value I could add, i.e. the idea is out there and you are likely the best person to execute on your idea.  If I was still interested it would be far easier to work with you than to try to cut your out of your own deal.  Does this make sense?

Written by Alexander Muse · Filed Under Blog, Startups 

Comments

One Response to “Idea + Secrecy = Stolen Idea”

  1. Matthew Millard Says:
    February 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 am

    Wow, I like this a lot. Good article. I will begin sharing my ideas with more people more frequently, or at least most of them

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