Al Pacino in Godfather III, ambivalent about his life of crime

There is a memorable scene in Godfather III where Michael Corleone laments his inability to stay out of the mob game, he screams —  “Just when I thought I was out of it, they pull me back in.” This is something like my relationship with start-up companies.

I’ve been involved with several, and whether they were successes or not, at the time, I always felt that this ‘was the last one.’ I don’t know why exactly. Perhaps because of the intensity of the work, or the roller coaster ride of high high’s and the low low’s. Maybe just because it’s a bit scary.  At times, back in the day, I was ambivalent about my own motives. That ambivalence is probably what caused me the most anxiety and sleepless nights. I think it’s important to be clear about why you do things.

In any event, I am “back in,” and totally exhilarated just thinking about it (and doing it!).  Not ambivalent in any way, not feeling Michael Corleone-ish-Godfather III-ish. And why is it that so many men, like me, must allude to The Godfather? Topic for another post, but first, my fave quote from Godfather I — “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” Clemenza to Rocco.

Last week was the official kick-off of my new company Kiln.  I say “my” but I should say “our” as I have two very interesting and competent partners, Kate Hammer and Indy Neogy.  To be honest, I’m as excited about Kiln as any start-up I’ve ever been involved with.

I’m excited for several reasons.  One, I think the idea(s) built into Kiln are cutting edge.  Two, I believe the products and services proposed are high value (cutting edge but not bleeding edge).  Third, I just love the offerings from a “it connects to my passions” point of view, and lastly, it has a nice profit potential.  Notice what reason came last! Yes, I care about making money, but if I’ve learned anything from my other start-up experiences, that’s more of a by-product of the other reasons then a reason in and of itself.  Money is fun and exciting, I like it, and, money alone won’t make me work hard to deliver on the promise of Kiln. It’s the idea that’s driving me.

Investors, do know this, we intend to be successful.

Readers who are reading for Innovation Content — my point with all this is simply to say that unless you are doing something you are passionate about, you are doomed to Corleone-ish ambivalance.  And that’s no way to run a railroad, or, start a new company.

The announcement on our new-funky-will-be-slicker-later-website will tell you what Kiln is all about, please read it. What I can add to that formal announcement is a few observations about Why We Founded Kiln:

• The IdeaKeg™ subscription product was designed to be provocative. Disruptive innovation ideas are more likely to come from totally new stimulus than from “just think it up” ideation. Better yet, kinesthetic stimulus with cultural significance.  Do you really want to read another PowerPoint deck, or would you prefer to get delightfully surprised every six weeks with a box full of nascent ideas?  Obviously, we think the latter.

• Many organizations know that their innovation efforts are sporadic, or responses to crisis. They wish to move towards a more formal and proactive process, but don’t quite know how.  Or, don’t want to be boxed into something inflexible. That’s what our FuseTrail™ process is about. You start with objects and you end up with highly relevant new ideas for your business.  In between we provide the blueprint for a formal process. But not just any innovation process. IdeaFuse is new.  It’s a truly different approach. It’s whole brained, it’s holistic, it’s kinesthetic, and it’s infused with the concept of story. It can work with an existing process (or “escape” to services outside of it and return, for instance to use an Open Innovation service), or, it can be the process. You can have us help facilitate, or not.  And it will be fun.

So, at the risk of dipping once again into Godfather wisdom, I’m back in, but unlike Michael Corleone, I’m embracing it. Can I make you an offer for a subscription service you won’t refuse?