- Production costs are falling.
- The team is prouder.
- The organization differentiates itself in its market.
Innovating ensures that we do not lose profitability and people because of outdated processes or products and services.
Here are 5 keys to generating ideas effectively as a team.
1. Choose the right group
You will have understood that innovation is done in teams 😊 The group effect has a real impact, because in idea generation, it is quantity and not quality that is important. That’s why choosing the right participants for your brainstorming session is essential! Here are some criteria to consider:
- People at different levels internally to have different perspectives. You want people who are “hands-on” and others who are more strategic, for example.
- People from different departments, which makes it possible to broaden beyond the people responsible for the “subject”.
- People outside the organization, whether they are business partners involved in the value chain or customers.
2. Adapt the technique for teams new to innovation
If your team isn’t comfortable doing these kinds of idea generation meetings, go for small groups. Have a longer meeting (say half a day) with breaks so that everyone can “get in” into the energy of the encounter. A team new to idea generation can take at least an hour to focus on the goal and warm up. Be patient!
Be kind, patient, yet focused on your goal.
3. Use empathy to create value
For me, innovation and idea generation are used to create value for the recipient. Usually the customer.
Sometimes it can be the employee in employee experience projects for example. To be empathetic and create value: 1.Have the recipient well in the lead.
2.For your recipient, remember to:
has. What are its problems?
b. What are his desires?
c. What does this recipient do on a typical day?
3.Et then, think about how you could
has. Solve your problems?
b. Satisfy your desires?
c. Adjust your services to make the recipient’s life easier, because you know what that person is going through!
This process of empathy is part of creating what’s called a value proposition. I simplified the process, but it’s the same idea. If you’d like to learn more about these tools, check out Strategyzer’s website . They are great tools, relevant to value creation and business models in today’s world.
4-As a leader, what are the essential skills to develop?
To be an innovative leader and think outside the box, you have to be comfortable getting out of your “office”, out of your cocoon. Too many leaders don’t have time to go see what’s going on “on the floor”, to connect with different hierarchical levels in the organization, to go to conferences, trainings, or simply to spend more time with their own team! Do you know how it pays to take a step back and open up to your environment? I am sure of it. Stop depriving yourself of it and book a quality time right away for yourself, someone, or related to your business! How do you generate ideas alone, in your office? Impossible. Period.
5-Are you obliged to do this remotely?
Multiple collaboration tools simulate whiteboards and post-it notes. This can be useful if you feel like it and if you are comfortable with technology. Otherwise, don’t worry too much and above all, don’t stop yourself from generating ideas because of a lack of technological knowledge. Make do with what you know!
- Put time on preparation
- Establish the objectives of the brainstorming
- Decide on the expected outcome of the match
- Communicate everything to the team a few days before the meeting
- During the meeting
- Surround yourself with people who take notes and manage time.
- Aim for quantity, not quality
- Determine a list of actions, deadlines and who is responsible (avoid vagueness!)
- Following the meeting
- Follow up no later than 48 hours after the meeting to send the notes and action plan.
- To monitor progress regularly (weekly or bi-weekly), these follow-ups can take the form of demonstrations, presentations of discoveries, prototypes, research, etc. In short, everyone can participate in these follow-ups. Don’t think that as a leader you have to carry everything on your shoulders!
Conclusion
In conclusion, in order to generate ideas effectively
- Focus on who is in your group of participants;
- Don’t overdo it, either in terms of techniques or technology;
- Dare to do it!