Brainstorming Starter Tips

On Monday we talked about the origins of brainstorms or ideation sessions. Those energetic sessions that companies use to develop a new product, provide company direction and find creative solutions to an existing problem.

Having been part of many brainstorming sessions I have found that those that produce the desired results have one thing in common: COMPLETE INVOLVEMENT BY ATTENDEES!

How does one garner involvement by all attendees? I think the answer is creating an atomosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Those ideation sessions that create the most enthusiatic participation begin with Warm-up Exercises and Icebreakers.

I sat down with Eva Niewiadomski, Catalyst Ranch, Ranch Czarina and asked her to provide a few effective Warm-up Exercises and Icebreakers that she has used during her most fruitful innovation sessions. Following is an exercise Eva has used with much success. We will provide more as we meet in the months to come.

THE CARTOON CHARACTER
Assignment: Create a mask that shows how you would like to look if you were to become a cartoon character.
ALLOTTED TIME: 15 minutes
1. Provide a table with various supplies to build a mask, using a colored paper plate as the base. Supplies can include yarn, pipecleaners (have several varieties), plastic eyeballs, ribbons, fabric remnants, construction paper, colored index cards, wrapping paper, glue sticks, Elmer's glue, glitter paint tubes, scissors, cotton balls, colored string, candy, staplers, tape, plastic beads, paperclips (regular and colored)felt, pompoms.
2. Have them wrap the masks around the back of their chair using yarn for ties.

This will create a very positive environment and spirits should remain high with the cartoon masks displayed all day. Such a fun way to begin conversations!

Feel free to contact us if you have a specific need. We love to brainstorm ideation ideas. Whew! We are here to support your creative needs. If we don't have an answer -- we'll find someone who can help!