Last week n2n attended a course from Speed Thinking; a new business that teaches companies methods of thinking and idea generation (definitely not one of those airy brainstorm training sessions that can never be applied to the real world).
In a recent blog post, founder Dr Ken Hudson noted that, in a broadband-based world, we may need to start thinking in a different way.
But is faster thinking really the answer?
Dr Hudson conducted an experiment with us to develop an idea for a PR campaign. We undertook the following, with each step lasting two minutes:
- Visually describe (using pictures and no words!) nine emotions you are feeling right now. For example, I had a picture of a door – albeit terribly drawn – that was meant to describe intrigue.
- Write nine clients and choose your fourth client.
- Pick your favourite emotion/picture. Write nine PR ideas for the client that relate back to that picture.
- Spend two minutes to develop one of the ideas.
- Write nine steps to execute the PR idea.
- Voila, I had a great idea!
Speed Thinking’s model is built on the premise that you can list nine ideas on any given topic in two minutes.
By setting a time limit, you are forced to write anything that pops into your head, no matter how “out there” it might be.
The benefit of this is you stop self-censoring. This allows you to consider some of the more emotional or creative ideas that might otherwise be dismissed in favour of rational ideas.
This is a really easy method to learn and can be applied to so many things we do – work-based or otherwise.
You should give it a go; perhaps it might help solve the recurring problem of what to buy your families for Christmas!
