Brainstorming --the right way !

Brainstorming is a v useful technique if used in the right way and doing it in a process .Brainstroming aids in motivation because it involves members of a team in bigger management issues, and it gets a team working together .For brainstorming activity to reap desired results it needs to be structured more than being random . following the Brainstoring process is crucial for it to create new ideas, solve problems, motivation and developing teams.

Using a Flip chart is v important while doing a brainstormings session This is crucial as Brainstorming needs to involve the team, which means that everyone must be able to see what's happening. Brainstorming places a significant burden on the facilitator to manage to manage the process, people's involvement and sensitivities, and then to manage the follow up actions. Effective Brainstorming session results in improving the organization's performance and developing the team.

The following 3 step process ensures an effective session ::

1) Planing and Agreeing to the Aim of Brainstorming

Ensure everyone participating in the brainstorm session understands and agrees the aim of the session (eg, to formulate a new job description for a customer services clerk; to formulate a series of new promotional activities for the next trading year; to suggest ways of improving cooperation between the sales and service departments; to identify costs saving opportunities that will not reduce performance or morale, etc). Keep the brainstorming objective simple. Allocate a time limit. This will enable you to keep the random brainstorming activity under control and on track.

2) Manging the Brainstorming Activity

Brainstorming enables people to suggest ideas at random. Your job as facilitator is to encourage everyone to participate, to dismiss nothing, and to prevent others from pouring scorn on the wilder suggestions (some of the best ideas are initially the daftest ones - added to which people won't participate if their suggestions are criticised). During the random collection of ideas the facilitator must record every suggestion on the flip-chart. Use Blu-Tack or sticky tape to hang the sheets around the walls. At the end of the time limit or when ideas have been exhausted, use different coloured pens to categorise, group, connect and link the random ideas. Refine the ideas by making new headings or lists. With the group, assess, evaluate and analyse the effects and validity of the ideas or the list. Develop and prioritise the ideas into a more finished list or set of actions or options.

3) Implementing the Actions Agreed

Agree what the next actions will be. Agree a timescale, who's responsible. After the session circulate notes, monitor and give feedback. It's crucial to develop a clear and positive outcome, so that people feel their effort and contribution was worthwhile. When people see that their efforts have resulted in action and change, they will be motivated and keen to help again.

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