Organize your own ThinkTankThursday! September 2009 [email_address]

Organize your own ThinkTankThursday!

September 2009

[email_address]

CONCEPT Simple, because simple means no restrictions ( a.k.a. creativity blockers )

Simple, because simple means no restrictions ( a.k.a. creativity blockers )

WHY? Break boundaries & patrons Get inspired Solve challenges Share knowledge and creativity Enjoy and relax (fun!) Learn from other points of view

Break boundaries & patrons

Get inspired

Solve challenges

Share knowledge and creativity

Enjoy and relax (fun!)

Learn from other points of view

BOTTOMLINE Put the heads together for a good old brainstorm session! Involve outsiders for other points of view ( out of the box ).

Put the heads together for a good old brainstorm session!

Involve outsiders for other points of view ( out of the box ).

INVITE (& praise their frames of reference) Stakeholders ( colleagues, suppliers, customers, etc. ) Members of TTT-community Experts Random ( ’just pick people from the street’ )

(& praise their frames of reference)

Stakeholders ( colleagues, suppliers, customers, etc. )

Members of TTT-community

Experts

Random ( ’just pick people from the street’ )

PARTICIPANTS No maximum, as long as: divide into groups of max. 7 persons everybody is able to understand the case max. 5 groups per plenary session

No maximum, as long as:

divide into groups of max. 7 persons

everybody is able to understand the case

max. 5 groups per plenary session

LOCATION (could be anywhere) Office Pub Beach Roof Conference etc. >> inspiring places!

(could be anywhere)

Office

Pub

Beach

Roof

Conference

etc. >> inspiring places!

FACILITIES (keep it simple) flip overs ( or alike ) & markers pen & paper for each break out facility ( groups ) chairs ( or alike ) inspiring decoration / catering ( optional )

(keep it simple)

flip overs ( or alike ) & markers

pen & paper for each

break out facility ( groups )

chairs ( or alike )

inspiring decoration / catering ( optional )

PROGRAM The only structure during a TTT Should take max. 2 hours Program template:

The only structure during a TTT

Should take max. 2 hours

Program template:

Program & timelines [90min] [5min] Introduction ( purpose, agenda, expectations, what happens with output, etc. ) [15min] Get to know each other ( interactive, play, inspire ) [10min] Describe case [10min] Write down own solutions ( individually; captures all inspiration instead of copying each other ) [25min] Break out in groups ( to discuss solutions and solve case together; at least 2 or 3 groups to compare results afterwards ) [25min] Plenair wrap-up ( present group results and discuss output )

[5min] Introduction ( purpose, agenda, expectations, what happens with output, etc. )

[15min] Get to know each other ( interactive, play, inspire )

[10min] Describe case

[10min] Write down own solutions ( individually; captures all inspiration instead of copying each other )

[25min] Break out in groups ( to discuss solutions and solve case together; at least 2 or 3 groups to compare results afterwards )

[25min] Plenair wrap-up ( present group results and discuss output )

MAKE SURE Maximize output Case is clear to everybody You communicate (only!!) most essential preconditions ( blocks creativity ) ‘ not good’ does not exist Case owner & decision maker are present

Maximize output

Case is clear to everybody

You communicate (only!!) most essential preconditions ( blocks creativity )

‘ not good’ does not exist

Case owner & decision maker are present

PLS MIND More frames of reference means: … more creativity … higher need for structure Different levels (authority) = advantage Ensure mandate for TTT-session ( session might cause insights that will surprise your manager )

More frames of reference means:

… more creativity

… higher need for structure

Different levels (authority) = advantage

Ensure mandate for TTT-session ( session might cause insights that will surprise your manager )

AFTER SALES (inspiration continues…) Sent results to participants Organize follow-up?! ( idea generation does not stop after the TTT-session )

(inspiration continues…)

Sent results to participants

Organize follow-up?! ( idea generation does not stop after the TTT-session )

SUGGESTIONS (mix offline with online…) Collect input by crowdsourcing Publish challenge and invite the crowd to share their thoughts before the TTT Involve the crowd real time using the internet Online discussion might continue after the TTT

(mix offline with online…)

Collect input by crowdsourcing

Publish challenge and invite the crowd to share their thoughts before the TTT

Involve the crowd real time using the internet

Online discussion might continue after the TTT

ENJOY! (and spread the word…) Use the TTT-logo: Share your experience at the TTT-LinkedIn group:

(and spread the word…)

Use the TTT-logo:

Share your experience at the TTT-LinkedIn group: