The problem with brainstorms

Ran what I thought was a rather productive workshop with a client last week, using a methodology that takes FutureScoping as its launch pad (slight plug...and on general release soon!)

The idea of it is to avoid this kind of brainstorming navel gazing nonsense...

...because from my experience: blank sheet of paper + 'now be creative' = lots of (wasted) time + ideas which are slight variations on what happens currently, because we are constrained by what we already know.

There has to be a better way!

Comments

[Rob @ Cynic]

I know this is cheeky, but can you tell me why it made a difference, either from your perspective or the participants.

Please?

Pretty please?

[Jon Howard]

Very simple really. I've got a database of over 1000 (and building) interesting and innovative product and service ideas from all over the word.

These are on cards, dealt at random (very important for breaking out of our expectations), and then used in various ways as a launch pad for ideation (which is, I think, the technical term for it).

Forces you way beyond the obvious very quickly (not to say 'obvious' isn't often right - you can do that over a cup of tea tho), and short cuts all the usual faffing about and navel gazing.

Reasonably priced as well, all things considered!

J