[F5] Brainstorms

Pre-requisite Courses

F1 and preferably F2 and F3 or F4

Course Description

Many people and organisations conduct brainstorms. Generally, what they do is sit with a couple of people and allow them to throw out ideas without much structure or guidance. This usually produces disappointing outcomes.

Because there is more to it! Good brainstorms require a careful balance between selected group members, structure and a safe space to express whatever idea. And add to that thoughtful and decisive facilitation. How all of these requirements hang together is what you will learn in this training.

So be ready to find out everything you need to know and do to guide groups of people through a successful brainstorm.

Three Highlights

1. Creative thinking and structure go together!
2. A few rules are better than no rules.
3. Quantity first; quality follows.

Modules

In this course, we cover:

• Setting up the room for brainstorming
• Getting the right team
• Incremental and radical innovation
• Diverging and converging
• The importance of a break
• Dotmocracy
• The decision-making matrix
• Taboo words during brainstorms

Course Objectives

1. Learn the difference between divergent and convergent group work.
2. Learn the laws of creative communication.
3. Discover why, as a leader, you may not be the best person to guide a brainstorm.

Who is it for? Who is it NOT for?

This is a very practical training for managers and team leaders who want their teams to go from “small” to “big” new ideas. A great “by-catch” of successfully producing new ideas together is the inspiration that well-led brainstorms bring to teams. This training helps every team to move from mediocre up on the scale towards excellence. It does require managers and leaders who are willing to take a bit of risk and break through existing patterns. But that is inevitable if you want innovation, isn’t it?

This is not a training suitable for those who believe that creative thinking is only for geniuses.

Professional and Organisational Impact

Guiding teams towards new solutions and helping them see opportunities is a fantastic process. It inspires both the team and the person who allows them to bring this positive change. This is one of AMA’s trainings that most capitalises on the notion of #SeriousFun. It will help to transform your work environment from stale to vibrant.

What are we going to do in class?

We will go through the various stages of successful brainstorms by doing it in practice. And finding out what works and why it works that way. Practice first, with theory that follows. Brainstorms and PowerPoint slides do not go well together, so don’t expect more than 5 slides.

Alumni Reconnect

One month after the course, this cohort will be invited to an optional online reconnect session with your guide. Join if you would like to share what happened when you applied what you learned, discuss obstacles you encountered, and receive further guidance for your practice.

Words from Your Guide

Mike van der Vijver

An eye-opener, that is what people always tell me after this training. They experience a sense of liberation, and it is a joy for me to set leaders, teams and entire organisations off on this path!