You need to get your creative juices flowing to plan your next event, but you just can\u2019t think of a good theme and time is running out. You need to get down to the planning phase quickly! What to do? What to do?<\/p>\n
Oh, yes, you forgot that little step of Brainstorming!\u00a0\u00a0 We told you it was important!\u00a0 Who has time to brainstorm you may ask? You do!\u00a0 Unless you are happy repeating the same event over and over again, you can skip this step. But, if you take pride in producing unique, customized events that fit your client\u2019s individual needs, brainstorming is an extremely important step. It can make the difference between a good event and a great event that your attendees are talking about for years!<\/p>\n
So what are the best ways to get a brainstorming session started?\u00a0 We\u2019ve created a list of our top 10 ways that we like to hold our sessions.\u00a0 The key ideas we always keep in mind, no matter how or where we hold our sessions are:\u00a0 have fun and no idea is off limits!<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Create a place that is comfortable \u2013 get rid of the office chairs and desks, those are for the serious thinking and planning!<\/p>\n
Imagine walking into a room filled with beanbags in bright colors for seating arrangements. This will take your brainstorming to a whole new level. It\u2019s all about getting out of the BOX and in this instance about creating a creative space.<\/p>\n
Have a pajama party. Ask guests to wear their PJ\u2019s (with strict restrictions) to the planning session. Just being comfortable can release the creative thinking gene.<\/p>\n
2. Include your whole team, not just the creative \/planning staff<\/p>\n
Include the drivers, set dressers, assistants, secretaries, etc \u2013 everyone has a unique viewpoint that will add value to your session<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll find that by having the same people to brainstorm with over and over will end up in the same ideas resurfacing. Adding in a member to your team that doesn\u2019t think like the rest of the group will give you different perspectives immediately. You never know who has that next WOW idea and it might not be the creatives!<\/p>\n
3. Establish the RULE \u2013 no idea is a bad idea<\/p>\n
Create a judgement free zone for your session. No one has a bad idea, everyone takes a turn and everyone has input. Set up the ground rules in the beginning of the session and stick to them.<\/p>\n
Decide who will be in charge as a group, this takes away any of the animosity that can occur in groups where the leader is appointed in advance. This is not a competition or a hierarchy like the office. It\u2019s a free flowing, save and fun environment.<\/p>\n
4. Have a large area to record ideas so everyone can easily read and add their own comments<\/p>\n
Cover the walls in brown butcher paper, have plenty of writing tools available and encourage picture drawing to get the creative juices flowing.<\/p>\n
Allow everyone a moment in the front of the room writing on the wall or create spaces for each individual and let them draw or write in their space at any time during the session. They might need the space to write a thought down when the ideas start popping! \u2013 Brainstorming can be kind of like popcorn\u2026Once the first kernel starts to pop the whole bag explodes!<\/p>\n
5. Everyone\u2019s ideas are equal \u2013 nobody should feel shy or reserved<\/p>\n
Give everyone free reign to express their ideas. Brainstorming is about free associating and ideas that caused laughter should not be exploited in the office. You are building comradery and teamwork while gaining all sorts of ideas. Make sure this is one of the rules you set up in the beginning.<\/p>\n
6. Collect and save all ideas \u2013 you never know when something mentioned in one brainstorming session will spark an idea for another event<\/p>\n
OK, so the crazy idea of flying the CEO in on an airplane cable didn\u2019t work for this event but it might work for another. Keeping all those ideas in a folder of ideas will help you create this event and many more in the future.<\/p>\n
7. NEVER criticize anyone\u2019s ideas \u2013 this will lead to self-censorship which squashes creativity<\/p>\n
Be respectful of other\u2019s ideas, you never know when one silly idea might lead to a brilliant invention.<\/p>\n
8. Take turns being the leader \u2013 giving others the chance to lead empowers and expands thinking<\/p>\n
Make sure when doing this that you only have one leader at a time. Otherwise, you could have conflicting power interests.<\/p>\n
Changing up leaders will open up different areas of conversation.<\/p>\n
9. Work in teams and mix teams up.\u00a0 Have the owner of the company team up with the part-time driver to come up with a theme.\u00a0 You might be surprised what they create together!<\/p>\n
Have team competitions for the craziest ideas, the most fun ideas and the \u2018are you kidding me\u2019 Ideas. You might be surprised what they create together!<\/p>\n
10. HAVE FUN!\u00a0 Brainstorming is the least stressful and the most fun part of event planning!<\/p>\n
The most important item is to have fun. More ideas come out of relaxed conversation, laughing and giggles, harebrained ideas and drawings on napkins than any other way of communication. Have fun, build relationships with others and great ideas will flow that will translate into great events for your attendees!<\/p>\n
Finally!<\/strong><\/p>\n We find brainstorming one of the most fun elements of our job. Just letting our hair down for a few hours, laughing at ourselves and our ideas and usually coming up with some ideas to WOW our audience is what it\u2019s all about for us.<\/p>\n