In the June edition of Fast Company magazine, USA-based adviser and coach Larry Smith advises on `the art of getting things done'.

Smith outlines six stumbling blocks to be overcome in order for an idea to be taken through to its conclusion:

1. The idea may be great, but often it can't be actioned.
"Often, managers don't stop to ask what result they're trying to produce," Smith says. The problem can be solved by starting with the desired result and then working backwards.

2. The idea needs to fit with the company's goals. "Even actionable ideas will fail if they don't match up with your company's other goals", says Smith.

3. The need to identify `critical elements' - the knowledge, skills or equipment required to see the idea through.

4. The people working on the idea need to fit their operations together and work towards it, even if they have different incentives for doing so.

5. Ideas need a `champion' to see them through.

6. The company must be prepared to reward people who take risks and succeed, but also to respect those who try and fail.

To read the full transcript of the article, visit
http://www.fastcompany.com/online/35/smith.html