Why Smart Business Advice Starts with Listening to Big Ideas
At UK Business Advisors, we’re proud of our experience. We’ve helped SMEs grow, restructure, scale, and succeed. But occasionally, we meet entrepreneurs who think a little differently—who see the world not as it is, but as it could be.
Sometimes, those people sound like they’re dreaming too big. But what if they’re right?
The Crazy Ones Who Changed Everything
A recent Wired article on Masayoshi Son, the investor who bet billions on the iPhone before it even existed, reminded us of something important: world-changing ideas often start out looking absurd.
Son wasn’t alone. Steve Jobs and Henry Ford were known for pushing ideas that defied market trends. Ford famously said, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.”
These entrepreneurs didn’t just follow data—they followed vision. They didn’t wait for permission—they built what they believed in.
The Advisor’s Dilemma: Play It Safe or Bet on Vision?
As business advisors, we’re trained to use data, evidence and experience to help clients make better decisions. And that’s important. But if we rely too much on what we already know, we risk missing the signs of something new, exciting—and valuable.
So how do we support the dreamers without losing our grip on reality?
4 Ways Advisors Can Help Visionaries Without Killing the Dream
1. Challenge Your Own Assumptions
When an idea seems odd, don’t dismiss it. Ask: What if they’re seeing something I’m not?
Great advisors don’t just test the client’s idea. They test their own thinking.
2. Understand the Whole Vision
It’s easy to get stuck on the details. But a visionary idea often comes with a bigger goal behind it.
Take time to understand why the entrepreneur believes in the idea. What problem are they trying to solve? What change do they want to make?
3. Support Calculated Risk
Risk is part of innovation. Our job isn’t to steer people away from it—it’s to help them manage it.
We ask:
- Can the idea be tested on a small scale?
- What’s the minimum risk version of this concept?
- What’s the worst-case—and can we survive it?
4. Take the Long View
Breakthrough ideas don’t always work in three months. They take time, patience, and belief.
By keeping the bigger picture in mind, we help founders keep going—even when the early results aren’t obvious.
Why This Matters to SME Leaders
You might be working on something bold right now. Maybe it’s a new product, a new service or a new way of doing business. Maybe you’ve been told it’s too risky or ahead of its time.
Here’s our message: Keep going—but get the right advice.
The right advisor won’t just point out problems. They’ll help you build a plan that’s brave and smart.
UKBA’s Commitment to Curious, Courageous Thinking
At UK Business Advisors, we work with all kinds of business leaders—from cautious planners to big dreamers. We believe our role is to balance structured advice with open-minded support.
We don’t claim to be visionaries ourselves. But we know how to help visionaries succeed.
Because the next Steve Jobs, Henry Ford—or Masayoshi Son—might already be building something amazing. And they deserve someone who’s listening.
Final Word: It’s Okay to Sound Crazy (At First)
Many of the best business ideas sound strange at first. If you’re an SME owner with a bold idea—or if you’re advising someone with one—don’t be too quick to say no.
Listen carefully. Ask smart questions. And then ask yourself: What if they’re right?
Want an advisor who knows how to support bold ideas and brave decisions? Get in touch with UK Business Advisors.
We’re here to help you build a business that lasts—and maybe even changes the world.