How to Sell Your Idea Internally

In top-down corporate cultures, ideas are sometimes undervalued and people don't feel comfortable speaking up. However, sometimes managers have good reasons to say no to new ideas, whether they're bad, ill-timed, or poorly presented. To help win over support and get ideas approved, there are steps, tools, and tactics that can help. Preparation involves understanding the company culture, building trust, relationships and expertise, and identifying the motivations and concerns of everyone involved in the decision-making process. Presenting ideas properly means framing the problem, showing that research has been done, and linking the idea to the company's vision and goals. A good idea is one that tries to fix or improve something, addresses the concerns of those involved, and is based on solid research or data.