Everyone has ideas. Few actually execute. Inspired by Derek Sivers’ framework that ‘ideas are just a multiplier of execution,’ this tool shows you what your idea is truly worth… and it’s probably less than you think until you do the work.
Rate your idea, assess your execution, and get real, unfiltered feedback on the true potential of your business. No fluff, just the cold, hard truth on what it takes to succeed. Important: The tool feedback does not use direct quotes from Derek Sivers. Instead, this is my attempt at “tough love” in the trademark Sivers writing style. Let me know how I did.
Idea × Execution Calculator
Test Derek Sivers' theory that ideas are just a multiplier of execution.
How unique and valuable is your idea compared to existing solutions?
How well are you implementing your idea in terms of team, resources, and progress?
What's your current phase of development?
Answer honestly to gauge how well your execution matches your idea.
How this calculator works:
The Idea × Execution Calculator is based on Derek Sivers’ famous formula that states: The value of an idea multiplied by the quality of its execution determines the ultimate worth of a business venture. As Sivers puts it, “Ideas are just a multiplier of execution.”
Hat tip to Kevin Bell for sharing the idea for this simple tool with me. Kevin describes himself “as very likely one of Derek Siver’s 1,000 True Fans.” When he’s not fighting crime as a police officer, he’s investing in storage units and sharing his investment strategies online.
The Formulas
The calculator uses two primary factors:
1. Idea Quality Multiplier
- Awful Idea: -1x (multiplies by -1)
- Weak Idea: 1x (multiplies by 1)
- So-So Idea: 5x (multiplies by 5)
- Good Idea: 10x (multiplies by 10)
- Great Idea: 15x (multiplies by 15)
- Brilliant Idea: 20x (multiplies by 20)
2. Execution Value
- No Execution: $1
- Weak Execution: $1,000
- So-So Execution: $10,000
- Good Execution: $100,000
- Great Execution: $1,000,000
- Brilliant Execution: $10,000,000
The Basic Formula
Final Value = Idea Quality Multiplier × Execution Value
Real-World Examples of this Framework in Action
Here’s what some of these idea X execution concepts might look and sound like in the real world so you know how to spot them.
Your friend tells you: “I’ve got this amazing idea for the past 5 years that could revolutionize this massive [industry], but I haven’t made the prototype yet.”
Something like this would fall into the Brilliant Idea with No Execution (20x × $1 = $20) category at best. Whatever the idea is, it probably ain’t worth much and it’s not likely your friend will ever take the meaningful actions needed to get build and invest in a prototype, or have the fortitude to take this to market.
My Opinion: Danger Coffee, founded by Dave Asprey, is another example of Good Idea X Brilliant Execution.
On the flip side, I would categorize the business of SaladGreen as only Good Idea with Brilliant Execution (10x X $10,000,000). Sweetgreen was not the first salad restaurant, but excellent execution in healthy fast-casual dining helped it generate more than $173 million in revenue last quarter.
Execution is what transforms an ordinary idea into something valuable. It’s the difference between talking about revolutionizing an industry and actually taking small, deliberate steps to bring something into the world, even if it’s imperfect.
About Derek Sivers
Derek Sivers is an entrepreneur, author, and frequent speaker known for his no-nonsense insights into business, creativity, and life philosophy. He’s most famous for founding CD Baby, an independent music distribution platform that revolutionized how indie musicians sold their music online in the early 2000s. Derek grew CD Baby from a hobby to a business that served over 150,000 musicians, ultimately selling it for $22 million in 2008—all of which he generously put into a charitable trust.
He’s also the author of several books like “Anything You Want”, which shares lessons from building CD Baby, and “Hell Yeah or No”, which encourages a minimalist and intentional approach to decision-making. Sivers’ writing is known for being direct, actionable, and full of insights on entrepreneurship, self-improvement, and unconventional thinking.
His “Ideas are just a multiplier of execution” concept is a perfect encapsulation of his belief that real progress happens only when action follows intention.
Related tools:
1,000 True Fans Inspired Calculator: Inspired by Kevin Kelly’s powerful idea: you don’t need millions of followers to succeed: you just need 1,000 true fans. This practical tool helps you understand what it takes to build a sustainable business with a small but loyal audience.
About the Author: Brett Lindenberg
