5 Effective Brainstorming Exercises
Too often, we get so caught up in the problem that we can’t see all the possible solutions. That’s where brainstorming exercises can help! These exercises are to help you and your team get creative in a search for marketing solutions and promotions! Before you know it, new and creative ideas for you to build a better business will be taking over the session!
With that said, effective and successful brainstorming can only occur if there are guidelines for the entire team to follow. A great list of these rules can be found in The Basic Rules for Brainstorming by Rod Kurtz, like:
- There are no wrong or dumb ideas (this is a non-judgmental process)
- All ideas are captured
- Get as many responses as you can
- Be as creative, open, and even wild, as possible
- Everyone should participate
Using these guidelines and encouraging participation by all team members offers the best chance for success.
With rules in place, there also needs to be a facilitator (someone to run the show). There are professional facilitators for hire, but they can be pricey. If you want to keep it all in-house, you just need to understand the role of the facilitator by knowing the group dynamic and what you want to achieve by the end of the session.
It is the job of the facilitator to:
- Plan and design the brainstorming session by selecting the tools that will bring about the desired outcome (we have some ideas below)
- Guide the group and facilitate interaction among team members once the session is underway
- Keep the group engaged and focused as ideas emerge
- Remind the group that all members share in the responsibility of the outcome
- Record everything – this can be done on a white board, computer, etc.
Let the brainstorming begin to build a better business for you and your clients!
Too Close For Comfort
We have all been in the situation where we realize we are too close to a problem to actually solve it. For me, I tend to associate this with writer’s block. When you cannot get anything out on paper and nothing makes sense, here is a little brainstorming game you can play to help everyone step back and see things from a fresh perspective.
- Ask all members of the team to write down a work-related problem they are struggling with, along with any progress they have made and obstacles that have come up (no more than 10 minutes).
- Collect the cards, read them all out loud, including your own, and hand the cards back.
- Have each team member read their own card and allow the group to offer solutions, advice, etc. (between 5-10 minutes for each member).
- By helping team members to see things from a new perspective, they will feel more confident and willing to help others.
It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s Superhero Roleplaying
I don’t know about you, but every little kid I have ever met wanted to be a super hero. I know when I was 8, I wanted to be Batgirl. And how many times as an adult have you heard someone say, “I wish I could fly,” or “I wish I was stronger, faster, or smarter?” For this exercise, you are not just wishing anymore; you are going to assume the role of your favorite superhero and attempt to solve your problem using your newly acquired powers.
- Have each member begin by stating their problem
- Have each team member now solve their problem using the powers of their favorite superhero (10 minutes)
- Each member will take turns telling their story.
- Each member of the team will offer assistance using their powers (this is like a speed round, approximately 3-5 minutes)
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
I think the better question here is who doesn’t? Each of us has the dream of never having to worry about finances again. This exercise makes the dream a reality, while also unlocking your access to an unlimited number of other resources, such as time and people. For this, there are no obstacles stopping you from solving your problem, so get creative.
- Each person writes down their current problem
- The Facilitator explains that they have access to unlimited resources and no one can stop them
- Ask each member to then try and solve the problem
- Review each solution as a team and encourage input from all team members
Switcheroo
Have your group write down their possible solutions about a hypothetical problem you present on a sheet of paper. After 5 minutes, rotate the sheets to different people and ask them to add their thoughts to what they see. Continue until everyone has responded for all members. Once everyone has their papers back, give them a few minutes and then have everyone share how their idea evolved as others were exposed to it.
Pictionary
Sometimes, words just don’t cut it. When you hit a block, a visual activity is all it takes to jumpstart creativity. For this activity, you will need a white board or large easel with pad of paper, markers, index cards, and a timer.
- The Facilitator will provide cards with words or phrases that need to be drawn
- Each team will take turns drawing a card from the pile
- Once a card is drawn, the person drawing has 10 seconds to look at the word to decide a strategy
- After 10 seconds, the drawer has 60 seconds to draw and get their team to guess the word they have picked
- If the team guesses in the time frame, they get five points. If they don’t guess it, the other team can steal, and if they get it right, they get the five points
Using these ideas as a starting point, you can get your brainstorming started and inspire a fresh perspective from your entire team.
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