A book recommendation from Dan Beaulieu:

Simply Brilliant: Powerful Techniques to Unlock your Creativity and Spark New Ideas

By: Bernhard Schroeder

Copyright 2017 Amacom

Price $24.95

Pages: 207 with Index

This is more than a brainstorming book, much more. In his new book Mr. Schroeder teaches the reader not only how to brainstorm with a group but also how to come up with ideas as an individual in that group as well as alone.

Probably the most valuable part of this book is when the author lays out some very valuable advice for group sessions. Advice such as the Seven Steps to Effective Brainstorming:

1. Agree on the problem

2. Gather the right team and the available data

3. If possible, break down the problem

4. Go for as many ideas as possible

5. Don’t criticize as ideas are evaluated

6. Combine several ideas to create an amazing new idea.

7. Fairly judge the created ideas for the best ones that solve the problem

All good stuff. And for even more fun here are some of the things you should do if you want to kill a brainstorming session:

1. Have senior management speak first, in order of importance. (Been there done that wat a buzz kill)

2. Having everyone go around the table. (Absolutely right on. People come up with ideas when they come up with ideas, on their own not when they are supposed to come up with them on cue).

3. Bringing only “Look Alike” team member experts. (A whole room full of people who look and think alike is not going to produce new or at least different ideas).

4. Only hold brainstorm sessions off-site. (Of course this is dumb. Work in your own environment. This is just another version of coming up with new ideas on cue. And of course, when you are installing a new system like “Lean Manufacturing” for example you should be on site and in the right departments to have an effective brainstorming session.)

5. Encourage professional behavior, no silly stuff. (Amen, this is no time to play dumb games that will interfere the pure process of brainstorming and idea generation.)

6. Having everyone take copious notes. (You’re not thinking freely if you are taking notes all the time.)

You can tell that I like this book, I read it twice and then passed it on to one of my associates who is in the middle of implementing “Lean Manufacturing” into one of his client’s facilities right now and has already adapted many of the ideas and techniques from the book into his project.

Good book filled with good ideas.