If two heads are better than one, imagine what fifty can come up with!
Do individuals on your team need help solving problems or drumming up new ideas? Why not work as a team to generate creative ideas? Why not try GroupChallenges?
A GroupChallenge is a simple and inexpensive way to–on an ongoing basis–inspire creativity and teamwork to generate ideas and solve problems.
The equipment required consists of a whiteboard or flip chart pad, some sticky notes, and a smidgen of leadership.
How It Works
- Post a flip chart or medium sized white board in a highly visible spot at your office. When someone has a challenge or problem, they write it in the middle of the board. Then anyone and everyone–using sticky notes–jots down ideas, thoughts, and solutions that come to mind. Sort of an idea suggestion board.
- At the end of a fixed time, gather the responses and deliver them to the challenger. Immediately refresh the board with a new challenge… keep the momentum going.
- To get the most of out a GroupChallenge, send an update to the entire department stating the original challenge and all of the responses. When someone’s idea is used, be sure to point out that GroupChallenge was a source of the inspiration.
Creative and collaborative thinking will help you be more innovative. By sharing good, bad, crazy, fun ideas–together you can create better solutions to business challenges. This will help keep Starbucks number one.
To help get you started, I’ve provided template. → [GroupChallenge Instructions, Word Document, 51kb] Use this to transcribe the ideas submitted and as a recap for your GroupChallenge events.
Update Here is a PDF version of the GroupChallenge Instructions in case the Word doc doesn’t display properly for you. (It’s a simple format if you need to re-create it).
I’ve seen success in the past, let me know how this works for you!
What a simple and excellent idea, Paul! BTW, the Word document came out “funny.”
This post reminds me of one of my most favorite quotes of all time:
“Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great.(Ralph Waldo Emerson)”
Keep them coming, Paul!
Hi Paul,
Great simple idea that can be very effective. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of a new technological platform that we are launching this week that will be ideal for managing teamwork which is also very important. To find out more logon to http://www.peachypeople.com
Hello Paul, I really liked you posting. I have always been fond of the view that items in our physical environment that we can actually see and touch are very powerful collaborative tools. However, in today’s world, isn’t this exact kind of collaboration …. in your case “user generated problem solving” …. that Web 2.0 apps also facilitate within organizational environments online? For example, apps like wikis or even Twitter in a corporate context? There are obvious pros and cons, but have you ever experimented with these online tools to support the GroupChallenge process?
ed hardy clothing
ed hardy shoes
Elaine – thank you for your comment. I’ve added a PDF version of the template – while not editable – at least it should be formatted properly.
Thanks for the heads-up!
Despoina,
Yes, an online GroupChallenge tool would allow colleagues from around the globe to share ideas…
However, especially when you’re trying to build creative confidence and are working with a group in a single department or office… there’s something neat about coming in each morning and seeing the new ideas posted to the board.
There is a bit of pride in this ‘old school’ collaboration that electronic forms can’t capture. (Perhaps it is the ideas in your own handwritiing).
While web-based versions can be highly effective, this high-touch, low-budget approach seems to always work.
The secret is to change the ideas on a regular basis and to send a recap of the challenge and suggested ideas.
Once people get into the habit of (a) checking out the board and (b) posting their ideas, you’ll create an ongoing flow of ideas.
I’d suggest – once the board starts working and people “get” the process… then potentially switch to an electronic version.
Best!
Paul