Ideas from a matchstick

In our Creative Block Busting workshops, we used several techniques to egg people to generate fresh ideas. In one such workshop, a participant had to generate ideas from a burnt matchstick.

I had the following guidelines for them:

Imagine that with your magic touch the matchstick comes alive and becomes a human being.. It has its own character and personality. It assumed the role of an advisor and suggested several ideas to the group:

1. Remember, your brilliance is worthless if you don't help others. First, show your clients/prospects that you genuinely care.

2. Remember, clients may not come back to you if you hang on to the past. Be contemporary. Keep abreast of the latest trends, theories, and technologies. Your expertise must shine in this.

3. You must act fast. Nobody has the patience with a matchstick that is slow to light.

4. A matchstick cannot light itself. It needs a striking surface. Use your client as your collaborator. You will be brilliant.

5. Avoid wet blankets. Seek people who have fire in the belly and a passion to make things happen. No one wants experts who are only good at giving excuses.

6. Make every experience an illuminating experience for your clients/stakeholders. They will come back for more.

7. Use your expertise to build a positive impact. Never use the collective brainpower of your experts, in wasteful or destructive efforts.

8. No matter how old, a good matchstick is expected to light. You must be ever ready. You can't afford to be rusty.

9. You measure your success by how many lamps you light.

10. No one remembers a burnt matchstick. Remember you only play a part and it is the client who will be in the limelight.