All great sales and marketing strategies begin as a fertile idea. Entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and fresh ideas go hand in hand. My new Idea Sellers blog logo reflects this thinking. The "swooshes" capture and highlight the words "Ideas Sell" in an effort to remind us that all of our ideas are important and worthy of our further scrutiny. Ideas do indeed sell.

The action we implement on a valid idea is critical to the success of our goals. Consider the word "change." It might be associated with any number of thoughts. If you think of money, it becomes the coins received back from your dollar after a purchase. If you have a baby, change involves a nasty diaper. It could refer to replacement of one thing for another. Change could refer to a transfer, such as changing planes. It might also reflect transformation such as a change of seasons or perhaps an alteration of circumstances.

Change is possibly the most utilized word and projected idea in this early presidential political season. It is becoming clear that most people want to see political change in Washington. What does the word mean in this context? Change in this instance means the dissolution of special interest groups that dictate policy, reform in health care and social security, an end to the war and the end of doing business as usual. Change is virtually synonymous with "successfully shaking up Washington."

Change is a potent and volatile idea. It creates tremendous emotion and stimulates bold action. Change is a powerful idea that sells; just ask Barak Obama! Ending the "business as usual" policies is the core of their campaigns.

What about your sales campaign? Is it business as usual or are your prospects and customers demanding change as well? If you are paying attention to them, and you had better be, they will tell you exactly how to do business with them and explain how they want to be treated. Are you listening? Do you think our "red and blue" presidential candidates are listening?

All ideas need work. Whether your strategy for developing great ideas includes the development of mind-maps, the use of mastermind groups or simply dreaming, the creative process must prevail if you are to be successful in selling your ideas to others. Being intangible, your ideas come to fruition when they are painted and constructed in the mind's-eye of your customer. The successful sale of your ideas is more likely to occur in a relationship context.

If your customer believes in and trusts in you, they will accept your ideas as valid. So, the successful sale first occurs when you sell yourself. Your ideas sell as a result. Selling is synonymous with "creating ideas for finding solutions." Selling your ideas is a winning strategy that always pays dividends.