Chick Chat With Cornelia O’Dwyer: The Danger Of Sharing Ideas.
Hey Guys! It’s #ChickChat.
Does it give you exclusive “rights” to an idea if you mention an idea to a friend in conversation with whom you share common interests? It happens a lot with friends who have much in common but talking about an idea and how good it would be to start something doesn’t give you license to it.
I discussed an idea with my friend Manka in general conversation. We frequently speak about what’s missing in certain industries in Nigeria and what would be good business. We have discussed food ideas, building certain apps and a few good ideas that have been kicked off by others. We both worked corporate financial jobs at the time and talked a lot about getting out of the rat race. One day on the phone, we spoke of a need for more affordable training centres merged with an employment agency. She brought it up first and I agreed that it was needed. We were both still committed to our jobs so at the time those were pipe dreams. I quit my job not so long after that chat and went to business school. A project came up that required a team of us to put together a business plan for a training and development centre. I thought it was coincidental with what Manka and I talked about but I had to work on it and it was well received. Due to business school in a different country, we grew apart and weren’t in touch as often. After business school, I pursued the project idea since I had the blueprint and I set up a small company, sourced funding and started the business. This was all over a 3 year period. Manka is now upset that I took her idea and set up a business she suggested. She knows that I didn’t have plans to do that since I didn’t speak up when she brought it up. It wasn’t an original idea and I worked on a business plan and didn’t feel the need to consult her.
Does Manka have rights to the idea or should this friend have consulted her? Is it shady that the friend never mentioned at all what her plans were or is Manka just mad because she is witnessing the success of an idea she could have pursued?