Some more amazing facilitation tips so you can run a more engaging and powerful brainstorming session.
Tip No 26: When you have selected your best 3 ideas try and develop a 9 point action plan to bring these to life.
Tip No 27: Give every idea a number then randomly select 2 numbers and try and make a new idea by combining these 2.
Tip No 28: Before people evaluate an idea they must add something to it; ‘yes and’ rather than ‘yes but!’
Tip No 29: Start every session with some stirring music or video.
The way to your imagination is through your emotions.
Tip No 30: Take turns in facilitating the session.
You do not have to have the same facilitator for the entire length of the brainstorming session.
Tip No 31: Make sure that the voice of the customer is represented in any brainstorming group.
Tip No 32: Get people to draw their ideas rather than using words.
This creates more emotion and fun.
Tip No 33: Who are the most creative people in your organisation?
Make sure you invite some of these to your next session.
Tip No 34: If you are working with a bigger group split into smaller teams.
This ensures that everyone contributes and you can compare and contrast ideas.
Tip No 35: Invite a graphic artist to your session.
Ask them to start drawing the best ideas then represent to the group.
Tip No 36: Ask each person to evaluate the ideas by themselves then discuss with a partner.
The conversation is often magical.
Tip No 37: Evaluate your ideas according to impact and speed.
What are the high value ideas that you can test quickly?
Tip No 38: Evaluate your ideas according to passion only.
If there is no passion then nothing happens.
Tip No 39: Generating lots of ideas will help you uncover more original ones;
Ask each person for 9 ideas per challenge.
Tip No 40: Better to run lots of shorter, high energy sessions rather than one big one every quarter.
Remember creativity is a muscle that needs exercising.
Tip No 41: After the session get the notes out within 24 hours to maintain momentum or use Blitz and have these immediately.
Tip No 42: Have everyone write down their ideas individually then come together — better still use Blitz.
Tip No 43: Make your sessions from 45 mins to 1 hour, you can maintain focus & energy for only this long.
Tip No 44: End every session with some action.
Who will do what, when?
Tip No 45: If you are facilitating a session go where the energy goes regardless of any predetermined plans.
Tip No 46: Select a place to that flows from the challenge. e.g. If designing a kids product have it at a playground.
Tip No 47: Invite people that are close to the problem and outside of it.
This will create more of a creative tension leading to a greater number of original ideas.
Tip No 48: If you are involved in generating new ideas then you must be involved in the evaluation of these.
Tip 49: Invite some people that are outside the company or organisation e.g. partners, retailers, suppliers etc.
Their different views will change your (and the groups) assumptions and beliefs.
Tip No 50: Say Thank You.
Send out the notes with specific next steps.
And say thank you again.