Final answer:
Bill should start by asking his friends questions about the problem he's solving. It's important to avoid sharing the entire product and getting the idea patented before seeking input. Avoiding sharing the idea completely is not advisable.
Step-by-step explanation:
When seeking input on his business idea, Bill should start by asking his friends questions about the problem he's solving. This approach allows him to gather feedback, identify any potential issues or gaps in his idea, and understand if his business solves a genuine problem. By engaging in a dialogue with his friends, he can gain valuable insights and refine his ideas accordingly.
Telling his friends about his entire product and all the cool things about how it works, and then asking if they like it may lead to biased responses and superficial feedback. It's essential to focus on the core problem and ask targeted questions to get meaningful insights. Moreover, getting the idea patented before telling others is not necessary at this stage. Patenting is a complex process and should be done once the idea is fully developed and ready for implementation.
It is not advisable for Bill to not tell anyone his idea as he will miss out on valuable feedback and potentially valuable connections and partnerships that can help him further develop and execute his business idea.