Move Beyond Brainstorming

Move Beyond BrainstormingTM Lateral ThinkingT techniques generate fresh ideas by approaching problems in new ways. The result? More truly unique ideas in the same or less time you would spend brainstorming. These tools help to harvest and categorize our ideas so that we can assess the value of each. The process also helps you evaluate and strengthen ideas, so you can conclude with a more refined outcome. At the beginning of a one-hour meeting, participants are energized, excited, and ready to get creative. Where does the meeting go from here? We compare two contrasting styles. 1200 A Brainstorming Session A Lateral Thinking Session Random, scattered, unorganized ideas Focus The process ensures clarity and refinement Energy starts to gradually dissipate Create 12:23 You can select from a Participants think variety of tools that get to really new ideas quickly. Switching tools keeps participants engaged and the meeting fresh. individually along different tracks Results focus on quantity, not quality Harvest Collect as many usable concepts as possible. Next steps are often ambiguous & undefined 12:45 Strengthen Use the tools we teach Someone is left to sort all the ideas out to overcome concerns and make good ideas great. Brainstorming Lateral Thinking Ensures that everyone is clear on the problem to solve by defining the focus - which clarifies the task at hand for the group. Leaves it to participants to define the problem Structured tools, used in quick succession, produce highly creative ideas in a systematic process. Produces random, unorganized ideas Maintains sustained high energy by switching between tools in the "box" to keep things fresh Begins with high energy, then gradually loses steam Produces truly novel ideas by using proven techniques that break traditional thinking patterns Produces top-of-mind ideas Focuses results in quality ideas, derived from quantity. Unlike brainstorming, tools to distill and strengthen ideas are integral to the process Focuses on the number of ideas (how many flipcharts can you fill?) Matchstick, Move Bayond Brainatorming, and Matchstick Logo are trademarks of Matchstick, LLC Lateral Thinking is a trademark of the MeQuaig Group. LLC. Other trademarks are property of their respective holders. matchsticki 22011 Matchstick, LLC Al rights reserved. MS-012 6/2011 www.matchsticklc.com/move