Sometimes a great idea or opportunity can be quite spontaneous. The trick is to both spot and be prepared to run with them.
A great example is the story yesterday of the mischievous seat installers at the unveiled Falmer Stadium – the new home for Brighton and Hove Albion. They had placed extra white seats beneath the silhouhette image of the club’s mascot, a seagull, to create the impression of the bird leaving a deposit.
The story did make a good splash of another kind, with widespread media coverage.
Yet, the prank is short-lived and the ‘white poo seats’ are no more.
Which is a shame, as they could have become a club legend: fans would talk about the white seats. It would become an unofficial form of status to say: “I sat in the bird poo seat”
A great talking point, a creative brand statement was not seized upon. So it now joins the ranks of missed opportunities.
In my last book ‘TheUpturn’ I talk of ‘Golden Swan’ opportunities – where they come unannounced, uninvited and catch you unprepared.
The lesson I share in my innovation and creativity classes is to spot them, if necessary take massive action – or just say ‘Yes’ to them, and seize the unexpected chance.
Sadly, Brighton have now scored a creative own goal by having the extra seats removed.
Let’s hope they repeat that on the pitch when they play my beloved West Ham this season!