The Little Blue Reasoning Book - Brandon Royal [12]
Tip #7: Keep a mental list of idea “killers” and idea “growers.”
Idea Killers
It would cost too much.
We tried it before.
That’s not my job.
That’s not your job.
That’s not how we do it.
Why don’t you put that in writing?
It’s impossible.
That sounds crazy to me.
You may be right, but …
Maybe next year.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It would take too much time.
Our customer would never go for that.
My mind is definitely made up.
I don’t think that’s important.
Our company is too small.
Our company is too big.
It’s good enough.
We don’t have time right now.
That’s a stupid idea.
I don’t need any more information.
You can’t do that here.
Idea Growers
Before we make a final decision, let’s review all the options.
Are there any questions?
Where else can we go for additional information on that?
May I ask a question?
What would happen if … ?
In light of the new information, I’ve changed my mind.
How could we improve … ?
I’d like to get your help with an idea I’m working on.
Let me ask you for some ideas on …
Is this what you meant?
Who else would be affected?
What have we missed?
Who else has a suggestion?
I don’t know much about that. How about you?
Why do we always do it like that?
Wouldn’t it be fun if … ?
What ideas have you come up with?
How many ways could we … ?
Thank you!
BRAINSTORMING
Tip #8: Brainstorming has rules: quantity of ideas is preferred, wacky ideas are welcome, delayed evaluation is mandatory, and “hitchhiking” is encouraged.
Ideas are the lifeblood of creativity, and brainstorming is a method to generate ideas. Brainstorming sessions are usually conducted in a group of between six and fifteen people. The setting is a room equipped with a whiteboard (or flip chart) so that ideas can be written down. The goal of brainstorming is to produce “novel but appropriate” ideas — the very heart of creativity. To achieve this goal, one must adhere to the “rules” of brainstorming.
First, quantity of ideas is the primary objective. Ideas should flow right from participants’ tongues to the whiteboard. Second, to get people to come up with truly novel ideas, we say “wackier is better.” Let the ideas flow by themselves. No one should fear looking the fool. All ideas, however wild or silly, are accepted. Third, delayed evaluation is mandatory. It is contradictory to try to create ideas and evaluate them at the same time. Any such attempt will curtail the creative process.
Fourth, as the session progresses, people will naturally “hitchhike” on ideas. “Oh that idea reminds of this” and “If that is so, then how about …” Hitchhiking means that one person is able to use another person’s idea to go further and supply another idea. Toward the end of the brainstorming session, ideas will be scattered haphazardly from one end of the whiteboard to the other. This is perfectly natural. This may cause some participants to giggle or burst out laughing because very rarely does anyone experience this kind of free-flowing activity, especially in an office environment. Once ideas are regrouped and summarized, the results may be truly surprising. Managers, for example, who are unfamiliar with the power of brainstorming sessions are typically amazed at how many commercially viable ideas exist in the “collective mind” of their staff members and that employees have never been uncovered previously.
Business Brainstorming Questionnaire
The business questionnaire per Exhibit 3.1 yields the best results if completed as a group brainstorming session. The brainstorming session should take place on company premises. It is a deceptively thought-provoking tool for increasing our understanding of our company, its products, and the current market opportunities.
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