Article Contributed by John Brook
Brainstorming is a very effective tool to use within business settings; however, it is important that all managers and team leaders take not that there are wrong ways to go about brainstorming. Brainstorming in inappropriate manners only wastes time, and we all know wasting time means lower worker productivity and a loss of money. Let’s take a look at several different tips that can be utilized to make your office a little more successful when it comes to solving problems by brainstorming.
1. Set Up Different Sessions
Brainstorming itself is broken up into several different portions. There is no sense in trying to cram all the parts of a brainstorming adventure into one session. In fact, different parts of brainstorming include critical thinking and other parts include creative thinking, and each of these parts take utilizing different sides of persons’ brains. So, do not let your group overwork and overwhelm itself by trying to use both sides of their brains at one time. Set up several different sessions for brainstorming.
2. Never Criticize
As creative thinking is taking place in a brainstorming session there should be no person there to criticize, no matter how silly or absurd an idea may sound it should be left out on the table at least for the first brainstorming session. There are a large number of ideas that often seem silly in the beginning; however, these ideas are often so creatively thought of that they can be utilized in several different manners to address several different types of problems.
Having a critic at a brainstorming session also dampens the atmosphere, creative ideas tend to not flow as easily. In fact, many people taking part in the brainstorming session will keep all their ideas to their self in fear they will only be criticized if they speak up. Not only should negative criticism be left at home for the first brainstorming session but praise for ideas should be left at home too. While this may seem silly it does prove to be helpful because people will generally throw more ideas out on the table knowing they will not receive praise or criticism.
3. Move On To Better Ideas
Just like said before there are many creative ideas that often lead to a formation of more and more ideas being developed; however, when an idea or even a heap of ideas run dry it is time to move on. Do not waste time trying to revive an idea just because it sounds good.
4. Try To Come Up With As Many Ideas As Possible
Always, always, always seek more and more ideas. The more ideas that are thrown out on the table the more a group will have to work with. As long as tip two stated above can be thoroughly and effectively followed then the ability to gain as many ideas as possible from group members should be no problem.
5. Establish Time Limits
One of the most important elements to implement into brainstorming sessions is time limits. The best ideas and most quantitative amount of ideas will come out within the first four to six minutes of a brainstorming session. Keeping this is mind it is always best for the brainstorming sessions to be kept at a minimal time limit, generally no longer than ten to fifteen minutes to start, brainstorm and finish.
6. Define All The Factors
When brainstorming for ideas on how to solve an issue it is best to first brainstorm on what the exact issue is that needs to be resolved. So, do not always start out a brainstorming session looking for solutions. Be creative and bring ideas to the table that are most likely causing the issue to be occurring. After ideas for both issues and solutions have been developed it is best to narrow down the ideas by making a list; however, everyone in the group should agree on ideas that should be kept or thrown out. If all group members cannot agree for an idea to be thrown out then it should be kept because at least one member sees some potential in it. That group member should go home and develop the idea to a further level and present their developments to the group at a later date. If the group does not like the further developed idea it can then be thrown out.
About the Author
Deeply involved with OfficeKitten.co.uk, John Brook finds himself helping out by writing reviews of cheap office furniture on the internet.