Big Ideas in minutes
May 22, 2008
Brainstorming is the most popular and widespread way of generating ideas. Yet for most people it is an exercise in frustration. It takes too long, rarely produces breakthrough ideas and often people are left with a sense of not knowing how to move forward.
To overcome these blockages I recommend a Speed Brainstorming Session. The features of this approach are:
1. Run it in half the time. This will ensure that you save time and everyone is focused.
2. Ask people to come along with nine usual ideas (in two minutes) and nine radical ideas. If you have ten people this preparation can lead to up to 180 ideas in the first few minutes.
3. Have two people recording the ideas. One of the big bottle necks is the practice of having only one person writing down ideas. This slows down the creative flow while you wait for the person to capture the ideas. With two people you can move twice as fast.
4. Give everyone a packet of say 50 post-it notes and ask them to create 50 ideas (build on existing ideas) in five minutes.
5. Evaluate the ideas in two minutes. Ask people what ideas they think are the most original (mark out of ten) and those that they are the most passionate about (out of ten) but they must evaluate all the ideas in two minutes. This process will ensure that participants will not over analyze the ideas and go with their first intuitive reaction.
6. Throw a ball to one another and when you send it across you must suggest an idea. The next person must catch the ball and add another idea (hint: capture the ideas). This playful exercise will unlock often amazing ideas as participants conscious mind is distracted enabling their unconscious mind to flourish.
These simple suggestions will ensure that your next brainstorming session is more productive and faster.
Dr. Ken Hudson
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