What is Traditional Brainstorming Technique?
Traditional brainstorming is one of the most popular and widely used techniques for generating ideas.
It involves bringing a group of people together to share their thoughts and ideas in a collaborative and open environment.
Traditional brainstorming as we know it today was first introduced by advertising executive Alex Osborn in the late 1940s. Osborn was a pioneer in the field of advertising and a strong advocate for the power of creativity and ideation.
Osborn believed that by gathering a group of people together and encouraging them to share their ideas without fear of criticism or judgment, it was possible to generate a large number of fresh and innovative ideas. He called this process “brainstorming” and went on to write several books on the subject, including “Applied Imagination” and “Your Creative Power.”
Over the years, brainstorming has become a widely used technique in a variety of industries, from advertising and marketing to technology and education. Today, it is often used in team-building exercises, problem-solving sessions, and strategic planning meetings.
Traditional Brainstorming Methodology
During a traditional brainstorming session, the facilitator sets the stage by creating a safe and non-judgmental space where everyone is encouraged to speak up and share their ideas.
The facilitator may also provide some ground rules, such as no criticizing, no interrupting, and no holding back.
One of the advantages of traditional brainstorming is that it is a simple and straightforward technique that can be used by anyone, regardless of their level of expertise or experience.
It also promotes collaboration, teamwork, and creativity, which are essential for coming up with fresh and innovative ideas.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to traditional brainstorming.
For example, it can be difficult to manage large groups, and some individuals may feel intimidated or reluctant to share their ideas in front of others.
Additionally, traditional brainstorming sessions can sometimes lead to groupthink, where everyone agrees on the same ideas without questioning them critically.
Overall, traditional brainstorming remains a popular and effective technique for generating ideas.
By creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment and recording all ideas, this technique can help to unleash the creativity of a group and inspire new and exciting ideas.
Traditional Brainstorming in Action
Following is a sample template which can be used to conduct traditional brainstorming session for easy flow of innovative ideas:
Title: Marketing Ideas for New Product Launch
Date: [Insert Date]
Facilitator: [Insert Facilitator’s Name]
Participants:
Ground Rules:
- No criticizing or judging ideas.
- No interrupting others while they’re speaking.
- Build on each other’s ideas and encourage creativity.
Agenda:
- Introduction and warm-up activity (10 minutes)
- Brainstorming session (30 minutes)
- Review and selection of top ideas (20 minutes)
Warm-up Activity:
Name one thing you think the new product should definitely have.
Brainstorming Session:
Instructions: Spend the next 30 minutes generating as many marketing ideas as possible. Write down each idea on a sticky note and post it on the whiteboard.
Sample Questions to Consider:
- What unique features or benefits does the product offer?
- Who is the target audience for the product?
- What channels can we use to reach our target audience?
- What messaging will resonate with our target audience?
- What promotions or incentives can we offer to encourage purchase?
Review and Selection of Top Ideas:
Instructions: Review all of the ideas generated during the brainstorming session and select the top 3-5 ideas that are most promising. Write down these ideas on a separate sheet of paper.
Follow-Up:
Instructions: Assign next steps to each of the top ideas, including responsible parties and deadlines. Schedule a follow-up meeting to review progress and next steps.
Conclusion
Over the years, brainstorming has become a widely used technique in a variety of industries, from advertising and marketing to technology and education.
Today, it is often used in team-building exercises, problem-solving sessions, and strategic planning meetings.
Despite its popularity, however, the effectiveness of traditional brainstorming has been called into question in recent years.
Some studies have suggested that traditional brainstorming sessions can actually stifle creativity and lead to groupthink, where everyone agrees on the same ideas without questioning them critically.
As a result, many organizations have begun to explore alternative techniques, such as design thinking and lean startup methodologies, to encourage more effective ideation and innovation.
