Brainstorming: The Dynamic Way To Create Successful Ideas Copyright 2012, IntercomsOnline.com, all rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from author or publisher. v.01 Published by: IntercomsOnline.com 8161 Highway 100, #194 Nashville, TN 37221-4213 www.intercomsonline.com LEGAL NOTICE: While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, neither the Author nor the Publisher assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter. www.IntercomsOnline.com Table of Contents NOTE FROM PUBLISHER ............................................................................................. 8 FORWARD ...................................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 1 – THE DIFFERENCE AN IDEA MAKES ................................................. 13 How ideas make a difference ................................................................................................... 13 How ideas can change your life ............................................................................................... 13 Ideas that have made a difference in our world .................................................................... 13 Importance of the idea to the individual, the company, community, and nation ............... 13 CHAPTER 2—THE STORK DOESN’T BRING THEM ................................................. 20 How you give birth to ideas ..................................................................................................... 20 How the subconscious works ................................................................................................... 20 A test to show how your subconscious creates ideas ............................................................. 20 The practical results of impractical ideas .............................................................................. 20 How creative people have harnessed their subconscious ...................................................... 20 How you can do the same ......................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 3—BRAINSTORMING? WHAT’S THAT? ................................................. 25 History of brainstorming ......................................................................................................... 25 Problems of old-style conferences ........................................................................................... 25 How brainstorming can solve many of them ......................................................................... 25 How you can brainstorm .......................................................................................................... 25 Some cash results of brainstorming ........................................................................................ 25 Leading organizations that are using brainstorming ............................................................ 25 Reasons individuals and groups should both use brainstorming ......................................... 25 CHAPTER 4—MIXING THE WITCH’S BREW ............................................................. 33 www.IntercomsOnline.com Table of Contents How you can set up a classic brainstorm session ................................................................... 33 Osborn’s four basic rules ......................................................................................................... 33 What kind of problem you should attack ............................................................................... 33 Who to invite ............................................................................................................................. 33 How to write the invitation ...................................................................................................... 33 When and where to hold your brainstorm ............................................................................. 33 CHAPTER 5—KEEP ‘EM ROLLING ............................................................................ 44 How you can learn to be a good brainstorm chairperson ..................................................... 44 The list of outlawed killer phrases .......................................................................................... 44 One of apologetic phrases ........................................................................................................ 44 What the administrative assistant does .................................................................................. 44 How to catch ideas .................................................................................................................... 44 Tricks to keep ideas coming ..................................................................................................... 44 What you can do about that terrible long silence .................................................................. 44 CHAPTER 6—AFTER THE STORM IS OVER ............................................................. 53 What you do after the brainstorm .......................................................................................... 53 How you can collect extra ideas .............................................................................................. 53 What to do with your ideas ...................................................................................................... 53 Who applies judgment ............................................................................................................. 53 The screened list ....................................................................................................................... 53 CHAPTER 7—IDEAS? IN MY COMPANY? ................................................................ 57 How to sell brainstorming to your boss .................................................................................. 57 The best way to sell a superior ................................................................................................ 57 How you can sell new ideas in your company ........................................................................ 57 www.IntercomsOnline.com Table of Contents The strategy and tactics you can use to turn your ideas into action .................................... 57 CHAPTER 8—THE PREACHING PRACTICED ........................................................... 61 Actual case histories of brainstorm sessions .......................................................................... 61 The invitation ............................................................................................................................ 61 The line-up ................................................................................................................................ 61 The brainstorm itself ................................................................................................................ 61 The list of ideas ......................................................................................................................... 61 Cold cash results ....................................................................................................................... 61 CHAPTER 9—SOLOS AND COMBOS ........................................................................ 77 How you can brainstorm by yourself ...................................................................................... 77 What equipment you need ...................................................................................................... 77 When and where to solo brainstorm ...................................................................................... 77 How to stimulate your subconscious ...................................................................................... 77 How to ignite a solo chain reaction problems for the solo brainstorm ................................ 77 How small groups brainstorm the quick, on-the-spot brainstorm ..................................... 77 What one company has done variations on a theme ............................................................ 77 CHAPTER 10—IT COMES KING SIZE, TOO ............................................................. 84 Why members of large groups don't contribute ideas ......................................................... 84 How you can make each member a brainstormed ................................................................ 84 How you can collect ideas from hundreds of people sparking a conference ....................... 84 Uses of the mass brainstorm ................................................................................................... 84 A test case ................................................................................................................................. 84 CHAPTER 11—TAKE IT HOME TO THE FAMILY ..................................................... 90 How you can brainstorm at home .......................................................................................... 90 www.IntercomsOnline.com Table of Contents A housewife uses brainstorming ............................................................................................