Set up successful brainstorms
Brainstorming and ideation meetings are the lifeblood of innovation. Ensuring people walk in the room primed for creativity is critical to success, and easy to get wrong.
Here are 5 best practices for you to ensure a bounty of fresh ideas.
1. Engage a great facilitator. Whether you facilitate yourself, or find someone to do it for you, make sure they are good. The facilitator will be the conductor of your creative orchestra. Your session will fail without someone that knows when to slow the group down, when to speed them up and when to change the tune.
2. Sprinkle in some experienced ideators. Think of them as first string in your orchestra, with a strong understanding of the creative process. They will help the group be more generative by encouraging, leading by example, helping groups get unstuck and nipping solutioning in the bud.
3. Creativity can’t be rushed. Ideas need time to emerge so look to schedule longer sessions, at minimum 2-3 hours, and if you can plan in a social or icebreaker e.g. a shared meal or activity go for it.
4. Everyone is creative. The best ideas can come from unexpected places, so don’t succumb to bias when selecting invitees. It’s your job to create the conditions to maximize the output of that creativity. Drive for diversity in perspectives and experiences relevant to your topic.
5. Give prework that opens and prepares people’s minds. There are lots of ways to achieve this but some of the most effective methods include combinations of the following.
a. Have each invitee interview one or 2 stakeholders (see 1:1 interviews) relevant to the topic. Provide them with 3-5 questions for the interview. For example – if you are innovating on the next great afternoon snack for millenials, have them interview some!
b. Have each invitee read a case study of a relatable, disruptive innovation to help them embrace the art of the possible.
c. Have each invitee document and reflect on a creative achievement they are proud of. What were the success factors?
d. Have each invitee personally experience the topic you are ideating. For example, if it’s an online experience – direct them to one good, one bad, and have them document and reflect on what made each one good or bad.
