Questions and Answers
What are some additional tools/techniques to generate innovative thinking within our company?
During the Simplified Strategic Planning process we typically use the brainstorming approach to idea generation using the opportunity screening worksheet (4.4). Sometimes teams need a new approach and one such approach is called SCAMPER developed by Alex Osborn, founder of BBDO. The actual mnemonic was developed by Bob Eberle:
| S = | Substitute: What product or service can I substitute for my current one? (Cell phones for pagers) |
| C = | Combine: How can I combine my product with someone else's (Fortune Brands buying WaterPik showerhead division to complement its Moen brand) |
| A = | Adapt: How can I adapt my product by adding a feature? (Apple computer adding color to the actual box to make it fashionable.) |
| M = | Modify or Magnify: How can I add something to put my product to different uses? (Large screen TVs) |
| P = | Put to other uses; How can I put to other uses? (Cell phones, adding camera features, organizer features) |
| E = | Eliminate or minimize; What can I eliminate, or minimize? (Waiting online at the counter for a rental car.) |
| R = | Rearrange or reverse: How can I rearrange or reverse? (Steering wheel of car, adding cruise control features, adding radio/sound system controls) |
With each question give the team a chance to write down their ideas and then share the answers. Each question will generate different quantity and quality of responses given the nature of the business problem. If your team gets stuck on one of the questions then move to the next question. The process provides a structured framework for generating new ideas.
Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc. respects your privacy. We do not rent, sell or exchange email addresses.
Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
2219 Packard - Suite 13
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
For permission to reprint any article from Course and Direction, or if you would like to submit an article for inclusion in Course and Direction, please contact the editor, Elizabeth Tidd, at .
 Digg
|
|
 Del.icio.us
|
© Copyright 2012 by Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc. Ann Arbor, MI -- Reprint permission granted with full attribution.