Variations of Brainstorming

Nominal group technique

The nominal group technique is a type of brainstorming that encourages all participants to have an equal say in the process. It is also used to generate a ranked list of ideas.

Participants are asked to write down their ideas anonymously. Then the moderator collects the ideas and each is voted on by the group. The vote can be as simple as a show of hands in favor of a given idea. This process is called distillation.

After distillation, the top ranked ideas may be sent back to the group or to subgroups for further brainstorming. For example, one group may work on the color required in a product. Another group may work on the size, and so forth. Each group will come back to the whole group for ranking the listed ideas. Sometimes ideas that were previously dropped may be brought forward again once the group has re-evaluated the ideas.

It is important for the moderator to have received training in this process before attempting to take on the moderating task. The group should be primed and encouraged to embrace the process. Like all team efforts, it may take a few practice sessions to train the team in the method before tackling the important ideas.

-- This technique is also used by therapist working with e.g. traumatized people. Maybe talking is not yet possible, but writing something is... even a simple line. The papers are put in the middle and redistributed at random. One can then write a comment or thought to what is already on the paper. e.g. :"My sister got shot in by a sniper in Sarajevo" Reply: "I can imagine that must be terrible. I lost my mother in a car accident and I survived." This can create a basis for reaching out, breaking out of isolation, find comprehension, feeling that other do understand, ... maybe even have solutions. e.g: "Yes, I suffered from the same so I put myself on sick-relief and went back to a place where I was happy as a child and lived there for 1 yr, doing stuff I liked to do when i was a kid... horsbackriding, ... until I was better and could feel the sun was also shining for me."

Group passing technique

Each person in a circular group writes down one idea, and then passes the piece of paper to the next person in a clockwise direction, who adds some thoughts. This is repeated until everybody gets their original piece of paper back. By this time, it is likely that the group will have extensively elaborated on each idea.

A popular alternative to this technique is to create an "Idea Book" and post a distribution list or routing slip to the front of the book. On the inside cover (or first page) is a description of the problem. The first person to receive the book lists his or her ideas and then routes the book to the next person on the distribution list. The second person can log new ideas or add to the ideas of the previous person. This continues until the distribution list is exhausted. follow-up "read out" meeting is then held to discuss the ideas logged in the book. This technique takes longer, but allows individual thought whenever the person has time to think deeply about the problem.

Team idea mapping method

This method of brainstorming works by the method of association. It may improve collaboration and increase the quantity of ideas, and is designed so that all attendees participate and no ideas are rejected.

The process begins with a well-defined topic. Each participant creates an individual brainstorm around the topic. All the ideas are then merged into one large idea map. During this consolidation phase, the participants may discover a common understanding of the issues as they share the meanings behind their ideas. As the sharing takes place, new ideas may arise by the association. Those ideas are added to the map as well. Then ideas are generated on both individual and group levels. Once all the ideas are captured, the group can prioritize and/or take action.

Electronic brainstorming

Electronic brainstorming is a computerized version of the manual brainwriting technique. It can be done via email. The chairman or facilitator sends the question out to group members, and they contribute independently by sending their ideas directly back to the facilitator. The facilitator then compiles a list of ideas and sends it back to the group for further feedback.

Electronic brainstorming eliminates many of the problems of standard brainstorming, such as production blocking and evaluation apprehension. An additional advantage of this method is that all ideas can be archived electronically in their original form, and then retrieved later for further thought and discussion. Electronic brainstorming also enables much larger groups to brainstorm on a topic than would normally be productive in a traditional brainstorming session.
Other forms of electronic brainstorming could be browser based, client / server, or peer to peer related software.

Directed brainstorming

Directed brainstorming is a variation on electronic brainstorming (brainwriting) described above. It can be done manually or with computer technology. Directed brainstorming works when the solution space (that is, the criteria for evaluating a good idea) is known prior to the session. If known, that criteria can be used to intentionally constrain the ideation process. In directed brainstorming, each participant is give one sheet of paper (or electronic form) and told the brainstorming question. They are asked to produce one response and stop. At that point all of the papers (or forms) are randomly swapped among the participants.

Each, then, has possession of someone else's form containing a single response. The participants are asked to look at the idea in front of them and create a new idea that is better than that idea one the first criterion dimension. For example, if the first criterion was "low cost" the participants might be asked to improve upon the idea in front of them by creating an idea that is lower in cost. The forms are then swapped again and respondents are asked to improve upon the ideas against the second criterion. The process is repeated for three or more rounds.

In the laboratory, directed brainstorming has been found to almost triple the productivity of groups over electronic brainstorming

THE GREEN BOX

The idea of a Green Box is to create a humanitarian organisation to help the land and the people most affected by climate change both now and in the future through the sales of the 'Green Box'. The Green Box , with a copyright and well marketed trade mark will contain energy efficient consumer items which will be sold globally and the proceeds used for education, voluntary work and the funding of other charities.

The Green Box will contain energy saving household appliances such as Battery chargers and rechargeable batteries; an electrisave; energy saving light bulbs; solar powered products; wind-up gadgets and a brochure on being eco-friendly.

The buyers of the Green Box will benefit from the energy efficient products and information and as the Green Box will be continuously updating our products to include new innovations, households will have the most energy efficient solutions without having to go out of their way to find out about them.

Green Box users could save a total of up to 50% of their energy use from a wide range of products. As there is more green innovation, this figure will increase further. The average household could also save up to £300 a year on energy bills by being more energy efficient and using 'Green Box'.

BRAINSTORMING

Brainstorming is a group creativity technique designed to generate a large number of ideas for the solution to a problem. The method was first popularized by Alex Faickney Osborn in the late 1930s; an advertising executive and one of the founders of BBDO, in a book called Applied Imagination, Osborn proposed that groups could double their creative output by using the method of brainstorming.

Silent Brainstorming or Kaleidoscope Brainstorming is a paradigm shift in brainstorming.
Although brainstorming has become a popular group technique, researchers have generally failed to find evidence of its effectiveness for enhancing either quantity or quality of ideas generated. Because of such problems as distraction, social loafing, evaluation apprehension, and production blocking, brainstorming groups are little more effective than other types of groups, and they are actually less effective than individuals working independently. For this reason, there have been numerous attempts to improve brainstorming or replace it with more effective variations of the basic technique.

Although traditional brainstorming may not increase the productivity of groups, it has other potential benefits, such as enhancing the enjoyment of group work and improving morale. It may also serve as a useful exercise for team building.

Approach
There are four basic rules in brainstorming. These are intended to reduce the social inhibitions that occur in groups and therefore stimulate the generation of new ideas. The expected result is a dynamic synergy that will dramatically increase the creativity of the group.
Focus on quantity: This rule is a means of enhancing divergent production, aiming to facilitate problem solving through the maxim, quantity breeds quality. The assumption is that the greater the number of ideas generated, the greater the chance of producing a radical and effective solution.

No criticism: It is often emphasized that in group brainstorming, criticism should be put 'on hold'. Instead of immediately stating what might be wrong with an idea, the participants focus on extending or adding to it, reserving criticism for a later 'critical stage' of the process. By suspending judgment, one creates a supportive atmosphere where participants feel free to generate unusual ideas.

Unusual ideas are welcome: To get a good and long list of ideas, unusual ideas are welcomed. They may open new ways of thinking and provide better solutions than regular ideas. They can be generated by looking from another perspective or setting aside assumptions.

Combine and improve ideas: Good ideas can be combined to form a single very good idea, as suggested by the slogan "1+1=3". This approach is assumed to lead to better and more complete ideas than merely generating new ideas alone. It is believed to stimulate the building of ideas by a process of association. (Source: Wikipedia)

HOME BUSINESS IDEAS AND TIPS

Are you thinking about starting a Home Business? Do you want to start a Cleaning Service, Real Estate Inpection Service or Online Computer Business? It doesn't matter what type of business you want to start or what ideas you may have, you still need to follow some basic rules and tips.

#1 Develop and write out your business plan. Read this plan everyday and think about it and make adjustments until you have an established business.

#2 Educate yourself about your home business. Take time and read good books and good material about this business.

#3 Remain positive and enthusiastic. Dare to dream you dreams and visualize your success.

#4 Choose an easy-to-remember meaningful web site name

#5 Grow you business slowly until you find the methods that work. It may take 6 to 12 months to build your business base.

#6 Take advantage of Free Publicity.

#7 Your website or advertising headline is critical to hold the interest of the reader. It should promise a benefit and compel the prospect to read further about your products or business ideas.

#8 Talk in a language that your prospects will understand and be comfortable with.

#9 Back up your business with facts. Facts sell.

#10 Use testimonials as often as you can.

#11 Answer inquiries and fill orders promptly.

#12 Use your name and a photo of yourself. This will increase your response.

#13 Remember your customers and business partners are your most valuable assets. Take good care of them.

#14 Enlist the aid of experts in your area of business. Get advice and follow the people that are already making good money.

#15 Make yourself efficient. Simplify everything that you can.

#16 Be persistent day in and day out. It pays off.

#17 Never give up.Follow these home based business ideas and tips and they will help you with your journey to success.Here is a short list of home based businesses that have low start up costs and can be started fairly easy. Automobile Detailing, Cleaning Service, Desktop Publishing, eBay Business, Elder Care Services, Fitness Trainer, Gift Basket Service, Home Inspection Service, Online Computer Business, Pet Sitting, Real Estate Appraisal Service, and Wedding Planner to name a few.

There are many resources on the internet to find out more information on any of these business ideas. Use this information to start and build your own home business.

About the Author: Don Fletchinger is an entreprenuer who specializes in helping people make money on the internet working from home. His money making website contains diversified business opportunities, training programs and ideas to help people earn paychecks from home. http://www.home-business-paychecks.com