Art of Innovation 4. The Perfect Brainstorm

Chapter Takeaways:

• Brainstorm through fun thinking & doing.
  
• A facilitator should prepare for the session, including the space, the problem statement, and the know-how to lead productivity.
• Brainstorming should be practiced.
• Sixty minutes is optimum.
• This is a chance for individuals to shine.
  

"The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas." - Linus Pauling

"Brainstorming can be a skill, an art, more like playing the piano than trying your shoes... exercise your brainstorming muscle"

Seven Secrets For Better Brainstorming

1. Sharpen the Focus. Start with a well-honed problem statement, with no particular solution implication.
2. Playful Rules.
3. Number Your Ideas. This can be motivational. Allow jumping around w/ out loosing track of where you are.
4. Build & Jump. Important to keep energy going.
5. The Space Remembers. Cover every wall with paper prior to session.
6. Stretch Your Mental Muscles. Esp when group has not worked together, most of the group does not brainstorm often, or when group is distracted. This can be prior to session or at the beginning.
7. Get Physical. Bring things. Build things. Act things out.

6 Ways to Kill a Brainstorm

1. The boss gets to speak first: send him out of the office.
2. Everybody gets a turn: this is not about going around in a circle.
3. Experts only please: not about degrees, it's about insight.
4. Do it off-site: creativity should buzz through the office.
5. No silly stuff.
6. Write down everything: writing detracts from contributing.