Seven Steps Towards Better Brainstorming Sessions
Effective brainstorming sessions aren't spontaneous free-for-alls. While you want the atmosphere to be relaxed so that creativity flows, you also need some structure to ensure productivity. Achieving this balance requires thoughtful planning. Here are seven proven steps.
1) Aim for a group of six to 10 participants - the optimal brainstorming number. Any more than that tends to fracture the session into "mini-discussions." Involving fewer participants reduces group energy and the number of ideas generated. 2) Use a round or oval table or circled sofas. The meeting space should be arranged so that all participants can make easy eye contact with one another. No one should feel left out because he or she is on the perimeter of the discussion. 3) Don't count on an immediate surge of suggestions. Formulate a few subject-specific ideas ahead of time to spark the initial discussion. 4) Don't ridicule anyone's remarks, however off base they might appear. Participants will self-censor if they hear such criticism. 5) Use humor to energize the session and inspire participation. Laughter puts people at ease and helps to spark creativity. 6) Focus on quantity rather than quality. Brainstorming sessions are all about generating ideas - lots of ideas. You'll have a better chance of identifying quality suggestions when the initial pool is large. 7)To inject a fresh point of view, invite an "outsider" to participate. Select someone who hasn't been involved in previous sessions and who doesn't have a vested interest in any particular outcome. |