What does it mean to fire bullets before cannonballs? Often leaders are too bold or alternatively too conservative. Instead of taking too much or too little risk, the concept of firing bullets before cannonballs asks leaders to validate an idea with a series of small, low-risk experiments. Once you have validated your idea, then you can concentrate your resources on a big bet idea.

From Jim Collins –

“The ability to turn small proven ideas (bullets) into huge hits (cannonballs) counts more than the sheer amount of pure innovation.”

No one is smart enough or experienced enough to know what will or won’t work. Only the market can tell us that.

People intuitively say something will definitely succeed OR definitely fail. But we don’t know.

In this episode, Brad and Kevin talk about the fire bullets before cannonballs concept, why it matters and how you can use it in your business.

Fire bullets before cannonballs: Jim Collins’ method for validating ideas

Episode 122 – The Growth Whisperers

The Growth Whisperers is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles and Kevin Lawrence two advisors to mid-market businesses, one Australian, one Canadian, who each work with CEOs and Leadership Teams across the world with a mission to build enduring, great companies. Each weekly episode covers interesting situations and questions from the world of strategic planning, leadership development, talent and hiring in high growth entrepreneurial companies where real results matter.