Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Dave Schoenbeck
Brainstorming business ideas sounds like it could be a fun process, but many business leaders and employees find it stressful in practice. There’s so much pressure to develop the next great idea that it sometimes inhibits the creative flow.
Learning how to harness the power of creative brainstorming can hugely impact your business. If you don’t know where to start, here are some ideas that can help.
Effective Brainstorming Techniques
Brainstorming business ideas tends to be more effective when you work as a team, as more brains lead to more ideas. However, there is value in individual brainstorming as well. These are some brainstorming techniques you can do alone or in a group:
- Freewriting: Set a timer, grab a pen and paper, and during that time, write down anything that comes to mind. If you can’t think of anything, write “I can’t think of anything” repeatedly until ideas flow. The idea is to switch your conscious mind off and let the subconscious take over. You will surprise yourself with what appears on the paper.
- Alternate perspectives: Put yourself in the shoes of a celebrity or influential figure you admire. How would they approach the problem?
- Reverse brainstorming: Sometimes, the answer only becomes apparent when we think about what not to do. Consider your goal, then ask yourself: how can I avoid getting there? Once you have a list of don’ts, you can think of their opposites and devise a list of dos.
As mentioned, it’s advantageous to do brainstorming activities as a team. These ideas can be completed either in person or, with a few tweaks, during a virtual meeting.
- Collaborative writing: The freewriting technique mentioned above to brainstorm ideas as a group. Then, have each group member pass their paper to someone else. The following person can then add pictures or develop new ones based on the previous person’s writing. Repeat as many times as necessary.
- Shared docs: It’s good practice to have a shared document through software like Google Docs or a company drive, where anyone can go in and anonymously add ideas. You can hold meetings periodically to review the ideas as a team and elaborate on any promising ones.
- Mind mapping: This common practice can help with various problems or goals. Start by writing down the main idea, then have the group brainstorm related ideas and write each on a line radiating out from the central idea. Keep going until you have some innovative new solutions.
Many team members will feel intimidated at revealing their rough-draft ideas to their manager or the company CEO, so bear this in mind when planning a creative brainstorming session. People are more likely to think out of the box if there is an element of anonymity to these exercises.
However, your culture should encourage employees to share ideas even if they might be considered silly. A bad idea is nowhere near as bad as a good idea left unsaid.
Brainstorming business ideas should be an activity the entire team gets excited about. However, if you need to breathe new life into your brainstorming meetings, a business coach can help. Please complete my contact form for a complimentary coaching session to improve your brainstorming techniques and creativity.
Coach Dave
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