Brainstorming can be a great group technique to solve specific problems in your business with the support of all your collaborators. Keep reading if you want to learn more about this technique, its advantages, disadvantages, tips and examples to inspire you.
Imagine the following scenario: you are in the living room of your apartment planning a trip with your group of closest friends. Little by little, everyone begins to air alternative destinations, mentioning the best means of transportation, possible activities and even options to balance the agendas.
Without realizing it, everyone is participating in what is called brainstorm or in English, brainstorming. A group tool that draws from a topic to generate original ideas and, in some other cases, solve specific problems, such as .
Next I will explain What is brainstorming, the rules to have your own sessions and examples that will inspire you. Here we go!
What is brainstorming?
In a nutshell, Brainstorming is an uninhibited and creative way to explore new and better alternatives.
It doesn’t matter if there are people in a work group who weave concepts differently or who manage to think outside the box to provide a different perspective, with this technique both profiles can be combined to achieve incredible results.
But how did this concept come to be? It certainly did not come by chance. It was thanks to Alex Faickney Osborn, owner of an advertising agency, who first proposed (in the 1940s) the principles and characteristics of what is now known as brainstorming. This, through his book, translated into Spanish as “Your creative power.”
Since then, this technique has gained popularity in training dynamics, marketing departments, advertising or fashion agencies, among many others.
How do you brainstorm? 7 main rules
Innovation in brainstorming is achieved by adhering to the following 7 rules. The same that aim to encourage each participant to share, spin concepts or get out of line without signaling in between.
- Define a central goal.
- Appoint a moderator.
- Set a specific time.
- Say goodbye to criticism.
- Create without limits.
- Think that the more, the better.
- Give yourself the opportunity to combine ideas.
1. Define a goal
To obtain concrete results, it is important to focus the session on a single objective. Same that can focus on a topic, a question or a solution.
2. Appoint a moderator
Having a moderator is important for the brainstorming session do not get out of control and there is an order when sharing concepts.
Ideally, it should be a person with leadership and empathy who can guide the team, of maximum 15 people, towards the same goal without invalidating anyone along the way.
3. Set a specific time
The optimal duration for this type of dynamic ranges between 60 and 90 minutes. Time that includes emptying ideas, being able to enrich them or even motivate the team.
4. Say goodbye to criticism
This is one of the most important points, since on many occasions the reaction to a different idea translates into an opinion. However, in a brainstorming session it is necessary to put aside the analytical mind, save opinions and flow towards the common goal.
5. Create without limitations
This is a process that takes time and practice. And at the same time it is a constant invitation to let go of the mind, to make peace with the fact that no idea is so crazy and to believe that the impossible can be possible.
6. Think that the more, the better
The point here is to go against the belief that ‘less is more’. Since, the greater the number of ideas that are obtained, the easier the process of discarding and selecting will be.
7. Give yourself the opportunity to combine ideas
Although criticism is not welcome, what is valid is to enrich another team member’s idea. Since some ideas only need a little adjustment to become that solution that everyone was looking for.
4 creative examples of brainstorming
Below I will share some examples that will help you visualize the different techniques for brainstorming.
- mind map
- Free annotation of ideas
- quick ideation
- Starburst
1. Mind map
This is a non-linear graphical method that allows a group to connect the dots between the different ideas available. In this technique, the objective is positioned in the center and from there new branches emerge, which each person begins to feed with new ideas. It is very similar to .
Example/the problem: in a well-known cafeteria they want to integrate an innovative drink for Christmas, that is different for the market, but that customers like.
Participants: baristas, frequent clients, marketing.
Here all the members have the opportunity to add to the mental map, with the guidance and mediation of a moderator. From here ideas can arise such as: coffee based on infusions, coffee with different types of milk, coffee without caffeine, unsweetened coffee, coffee sweetened with substitutes, coffee with mineral water, flavored coffee, etc.
However, ideas may also arise that involve an unforeseen expense, such as training, hiring new staff or additional tools. Ideas that are evaluated at the end of the session as follows.
Unfeasible proposals: hiring of new staff.
Viable proposals: training of current baristas and purchase of the necessary equipment to create and integrate an innovative beverage.
2. Free annotation of ideas
This method works perfectly to get everyone involved involved. Its mechanism is simple, everyone writes down an idea on a sheet of paper and when they finish they hand that sheet to the person next to them.
The purpose is that this new person feeds the ideas that come into their hands. In this way everyone contributes until the round is complete. At that moment ideas are shared, analyzed, chosen or discarded.
Example/the problem: the team of developers of a software company does not respect the lunch schedule because they go out every day to buy it, and at the same time they complain about investing a lot of money in it.
Participants: the team of 8 developers.
Although some of the team members arrive at the office with their food already prepared, there are others who prefer to go out every day to buy food. However, this not only takes a lot of time, but also money. Something that is beginning to affect your mood and performance.
After this round of ideas new alternatives arise. On the one hand, it is proposed to hire a chef, on the other hand, it is put on the table that everyone agrees to arrive with food already cooked. However, there is a third option that becomes the most viable, even for the company: hiring a food service.
Unfeasible proposals: hire a chef, get everyone to bring home cooked food every day.
Viable proposals: hire a specialized company that delivers a daily menu for everyone, at the office door and at a specific time.
3. Quick idea
Although it is recommended that a brainstorming session last between 60 and 90 minutes, there are also express sessions in which those involved are invited to write down, in less time, as many ideas as they can. With this dynamic it is possible to obtain a lot of material to choose from without fear of discarding.
Example/the problem: the restaurant was filled with cockroaches because the place next door fumigated, there are 5 customers who complain. To do?
Participants: chefs, bartenderswaiters, manager and owner.
Customers have started to complain and the good reputation of the restaurant may be ruined if this message continues to spread. Among the ideas that arise, the following stand out: close the restaurant indefinitely, fumigate the restaurant as soon as possible, send a statement on social networks assuming responsibility and apologizing, or ignore the problem while it is being solved.
Unfeasible proposals: close the restaurant indefinitely, ignore the problem and send the communication (since, for now, it can make the problem bigger).
Viable proposals: fumigate the place as soon as possible.
4.Starburst
This method, also known as star thinking, focuses on getting ideas by answering 7 specific questions (equivalent to the 7 points of a star): why? what? how? ?, how many? and who?
Example/the problem: where is the annual posada going to be held this year
Participants: human resources, communication department, administration.
Here what can take more time is to define the reason for the place. Aspect that can be answered, for example, as follows: because it is central for the entire team, because of the budget or because of the menu. However, all the questions serve as a guide to solve the problem in a practical way, and among all those involved.
Advantages and disadvantages of brainstorming
A brainstorm will give multiple changes to your company. For this reason it is important that you know both its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of brainstorming
- You get ideas that can help you both today and in the future.
- You keep an open mind to receive feedback or constructive criticism.
- They break barriers in creative terms.
- They positively influence team dynamics.
Disadvantages of brainstorming
- Most of the ideas are not going to be relevant to the topic at hand.
- It can increase the disorder if you do not have a good moderator.
- Sometimes the participation is only focused on a couple of collaborators.
- In case of not making a good selection, the wrong idea could be chosen.
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3 tips for brainstorming
To get the most out of your sessions brainstorming It is important that you consider the following tips.
- Invite collaborators from other areas
- Make the invitation well in advance
- Hold the meeting in another physical space
1. Invite collaborators from other areas
People who work together all the time tend to mimic their behavior and way of thinking. For this reason it is important that you invite collaborators from other teams who can add other points of view to the session.
2. Make the invitation well in advance
In this invitation take the opportunity to communicate the central objective of the brainstorming in question. This will allow them to organize their time without pressure and, most likely, to think of ideas in advance.
3. Hold the meeting in another physical space
He thinks that a different environment than usual can change the perception and enthusiasm of the team, two fundamental engines to generate…
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