The most successful entrepreneurs grow their small businesses by learning how to innovate, strategize and find the best solutions to problems. They brainstorm constantly. Always looking, seeking, and searching for the next great solution.
In the April, 2005 edition of Business 2.0, Bridget Finn provided a sound strategy for effective brainstorming in her article, “Brainstorming For Better Brainstorming”. Here is an excerp for your quick review:
Revolutionary products and strategies start with the same thing: a brilliant idea. But the smartest, most innovative companies don’t stop with one inspiration—they know how to keep churning out new breakthroughs. After all, creativity isn’t just a matter of waiting for the muse to strike. Here’s how to turn your company into a nonstop idea factor.
Finding inspiration in a group; the more brainpower you bring to bear on a problem, the smarter the solutions you’re likely to get. Here’s a five-step plan for getting the most from your brainstorming sessions:
1. Frame your mission carefully. Start with a goal that’s clear and reachable. Make it
clear that you’re looking for as many ideas as possible.
clear that you’re looking for as many ideas as possible.
2. Assign fieldwork. Reports won’t get the creative juices flowing as a visit to the scene of
the challenge.
the challenge.
3. Structure the group for success. Keep it small, appoint a facilitator, and shake up the
mix. (Assemble an eclectic bunch who will bring a fresh perspective to old problems.)
mix. (Assemble an eclectic bunch who will bring a fresh perspective to old problems.)
4. Demand participation. Banish laptops, notepads and BlackBerries. Show and tell, visual
aids help stimulate discussion. Put people on the spot—gently. Wallflowers suck the
energy out of the room.
aids help stimulate discussion. Put people on the spot—gently. Wallflowers suck the
energy out of the room.
5. Keep the meeting short. Creativity tends to come in intense bursts, and they’re
exhausting. The most effective meetings last 60 minutes—or less. Says David Horth,
creativity consultant, “You’d be surprised how many good ideas you can generate in
15 minutes.”
exhausting. The most effective meetings last 60 minutes—or less. Says David Horth,
creativity consultant, “You’d be surprised how many good ideas you can generate in
15 minutes.”
Hatching winners on your own; leaders have to come up with creative solutions day in and day out, and they can’t always convene a team to help. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do rev up your powers of invention:
• Triz. Developed by a Russian naval officer, this theory of inventive problem solving spells
out 40 principles of invention that can be applied to any sort of creative question, no
matter what the field. Learn more at Triz Journal.
out 40 principles of invention that can be applied to any sort of creative question, no
matter what the field. Learn more at Triz Journal.
• Mind Mapping. Start your map by writing down the problem—that’s the central hub.
Then jot down related ideas that branch off the central hub into new hubs. Those new
hubs should, in turn, give rise to new associations. Learn more at Mind Map.
Then jot down related ideas that branch off the central hub into new hubs. Those new
hubs should, in turn, give rise to new associations. Learn more at Mind Map.
• Ask for help. Call all the smart people you know. You can stare at the computer for five
hours and not get as much inspiration as you will from a five-minute phone call with the
right person.”
hours and not get as much inspiration as you will from a five-minute phone call with the
right person.”
