Generating new ideas with colleagues can be a rewarding and stimulating experience, but it can also be challenging and frustrating. How can you make the most of your collective creativity and innovation potential? Here are some tips and techniques to help you brainstorm, collaborate, and innovate with your co-workers.
Before you start generating new ideas, you need to have a clear and specific goal in mind. What problem are you trying to solve? What opportunity are you trying to seize? What value are you trying to create? Having a clear goal will help you focus your ideas, avoid distractions, and measure your progress. It will also help you communicate your vision and expectations to your colleagues.
One thing I've seen that has been helpful in the workplace is giving your expectations upfront. Nothing will slow productivity down more than under-communicated goals and expectations. When people know what to expect, they are more likely to problem-solve and innovate to reach their goals. You can always set your expectations and give everyone room to meet them. Give suggestions and autonomy to your workers so they can thrive in their work environment.
There are many methods and tools for generating new ideas, such as mind mapping, brainstorming, SCAMPER, SWOT analysis, and more. Depending on your goal, your team size, your time frame, and your preferences, you can choose the method that suits you best. Some methods are more structured and analytical, while others are more free-flowing and intuitive. Some methods are more suitable for individual work, while others are more conducive to group collaboration. Experiment with different methods and see what works for you and your colleagues.
Here’s a list of 25 INNOVATION METHODS that can help you kickstart innovation. Check them out below … 1. Design Thinking 2. Lean Startup 3. Agile Innovation 4. Open Innovation 5. Blue Ocean Strategy 6. TRIZ 7. SCAMPER 8. Six Thinking Hats 9. Biomimicry 10. Co-creation 11. Value Proposition Design 12. Business Model Canvas 13. Rapid Prototyping 14. Mind Mapping 15. Customer Journey Mapping 16. Scenario Planning 17. Innovation Games 18. Disney Method 19. Hackathons 20. Innovation Labs 21. Innovation Sprints 22. Frugal Innovation 23. Disruptive Innovation 24. Systems Thinking 25. The proven FORTH innovation method to kickstart innovation and double the effectiveness of the other methodologies mentioned above ?????. Contact me to learn more.
One of the benefits of generating new ideas with colleagues is that you can leverage the diversity and inclusion of your team. Diversity and inclusion mean that you have different perspectives, experiences, skills, and backgrounds that can enrich your ideas and spark new insights. To encourage diversity and inclusion, you need to create a safe and supportive environment where everyone can share their thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment or criticism. You also need to listen actively and respectfully to your colleagues, and appreciate their contributions.
WENNOVATE instead of INNOVATE The main reason why innovation projects get stopped is according to a linkedin poll: ‘LACK OF MANAGEMENT BUY-IN. That’s why In my experience managing pressure and deadlines you can handle best by WENNOVATION instead of INNOVATION. Let me explain… Innovation is a long journey with high uncertainty. That’s why you should get all your internal - and external partners and the decision makers aligned as from the start, agreeing all on both your assignment and process. When you WENNOVATE in the way your project will be based on: - commitment, - trust, and - openness. These values help you collaborating better. and removing the tension if deadlines are due as it’s a joint responsibility.
Another way to generate new ideas with colleagues is to challenge the assumptions and constraints that limit your thinking and creativity. Assumptions and constraints are the beliefs and rules that you take for granted or accept as given, such as "this is how we always do things", "this is what the customer wants", or "this is what the budget allows". By questioning these assumptions and constraints, you can open up new possibilities and opportunities for innovation. You can use techniques such as "what if", "why not", or "how might we" to challenge the status quo and explore alternative scenarios.
Generating new ideas with colleagues is not a competition, but a collaboration. You are not trying to prove who has the best idea, but to create the best solution together. Therefore, you need to build on each other's ideas, rather than dismiss or ignore them. Building on each other's ideas means that you acknowledge, appreciate, and add value to what your colleagues have suggested. You can use phrases such as "yes, and", "I like that, and", or "that's interesting, and" to show your support and extend the ideas further.
The final step of generating new ideas with colleagues is to test and refine your ideas. Testing and refining your ideas means that you evaluate, validate, and improve your ideas based on feedback, evidence, and results. You can use methods such as prototyping, experimenting, or piloting to test your ideas in a realistic and practical way. You can also use criteria such as feasibility, desirability, and viability to refine your ideas and make them more effective and efficient. Testing and refining your ideas will help you learn from your mistakes, overcome challenges, and achieve your goal.
NOBODY BUYS FROM A CLOWN. Be Innovative but act Conservative I have seen many innovative people present new business ideas in very original ways: playing a movie, doing a dance, and even by doing a flash mob. But it is wise to keep in mind that your executives are still as conservative as ever. Once you accept the risk-averse culture you can be effective. Your idea will be evaluated from at least 4 perspectives: 1. The Customer: Will they like it? 2. The Business model: Will it be profitable? 3. The Technology: Can it be produced? 4. The Risk: What if it's a failure? So draft a new business case: a clear, strategic, commercial, professional, and financial plan for your innovative initiative. It strengthens your persuasiveness.