A Technology Platform Whose Algorithm Is Human

An idea hits you here. Right here. And you post it. (Photo by **Andrea Piacquadio** from **Pexels**)

We call ourselves a “SaaS,” or a software as a service, because it’s technically true. But what’s lost in that categorization is the role human beings play in our company’s purpose. It’s not an “idea machine,” which would suggest an artificial intelligence pumping out ideas. No, Ideasicle X is a machine whose purpose is to increase the odds of human intelligence happening. And that intelligence is anything but artificial. What follows are the ways our software platform is designed to be in continuous service to the real (and very human) heroes.

IX allows ideas to happen naturally.

Ideas often happen in the back seat of life. You’re on a train, you’re on a walk, you’re in aisle six at the grocery store, not necessarily thinking about the assignment. The idea wasn’t “nowhere,” of course, it was just in the back seat until you were ready for it when something you unwittingly saw or heard intervened with what’s percolating in your mind. And boom, an idea is born.

Our “software” didn’t cause that idea to happen. That’s all you. But our technology allows you to pull out your phone, pull up the IX app, post the idea (headline, body copy, maybe a visual reference), and move on to other front-seat activities before you.

But that’s just the beginning. What happens next turns the peanut into peanut butter.

Combination of individual creativity and group dynamics.

Keith Sawyer wrote a book called "Group Genius” a while back and it struck me right between the eyes. In it he says, “Understanding how individual creativity combines with group genius is the key to realizing creative potential” (emphasis is mine). In order for “group genius” to occur, according to Sawyer, those in the group must have time to think on their own AND THEN come together to share ideas, build on them, and inspire each other.

That is exactly what Ideasicle X is designed to do. Remember above when you posted an idea to the IX platform using your phone? Well, the second you do that our software not only posts the idea to the Idea Stream for that job, it also emails everyone on the team (and the organizer) a link to your idea with a call to action, “Now go make it even better.” That’s the vibe of every job. It’s a free for all of posting ideas, reacting to them, posting builds and riffs. It’s nuts and messy and beautiful.

But it allows the heroes (the freelancers) to think, ruminate, post, and THEN take advantage of the group dynamics.

Then It’s like a time machine.

Ideasicle X keeps a neat, organized record of the team’s entire thought stream throughout the project. Each idea thread starts with the original idea and then others post their reactions, their builds to the idea, or even riff brand new ideas out of it. Some will post comments with images, some videos, some will just type up their thoughts. But the end result is like a time machine for the project, where customers can go back and see exactly how the ultimate idea came to be.

Mark Ray, the CCO at North Advertising, recently completed a trial with IX and put his experience of reviewing the Idea Stream after the job had ended this way:

So to have the traditional creative process…turn into riffing and real-time conversations between the Ideasicle Experts was not only helpful but inspiring…It felt like I was in the room with four highly talented people, just like it used to feel when it happened in agency cubicles or lunch rooms or bars or parks. I didn't expect that kind of exhilaration virtually.

Read more about Mark’s experience here. So the technology gives the customer visibility not only into the ideas, but into the making of the ideas. It’s not unlike watching the documentary “Get Back” by The Beatles where you can witness the contributions of the individuals as you see the ideas take shape. There’s a certain “time machine” quality the platform gives its users, peaking into the creative process like never before.

So, yeah, Ideasicle X is a SaaS, but it’s true service is human creativity. My friend Rob Schwartz recently joked that Ideasicle X isn’t a SaaS, but is a CaaS. Or “creativity as a service.” As usual, Rob nails it.