Why Virtual Brainstorming Is Better for Innovation

Unleashing the power of collective creativity, virtual brainstorming is revolutionizing the landscape of innovation. It transcends geographical boundaries, fosters diverse perspectives, and cultivates a culture of inclusivity. Discover why it's becoming the preferred method for idea generation in the digital age.

Is there a better way to brainstorm effectively while working in a remote or hybrid environment?

Extensive research shows that, when it comes to innovation, hybrid and remote teams can outcompete in-person teams by adopting best practices around digital communication and collaboration.

• Both novel and seasoned leaders struggle to adapt due to judgment errors and cognitive biases
• Traditional brainstorming sessions need a serious overhaul

Meet to discuss shortlisted ideas

Focus on the stated goals of the problem you’re trying to solve

• Use anonymous evaluations to ensure that the best ideas float to the top
• Measure the ideas against stated goals and flesh out the ideas that offer the most promise
• Decide on the next steps for implementation

The Problem with Traditional Brainstorming

In-person, synchronous brainstorming is a widely accepted approach to innovation. It involves groups of four to eight people gathering in a room to come up with new solutions to a pre-selected problem.

• Research in behavioral science classifies the benefits of brainstorming in two ways
• Synergy: Ideas shared by one person can energize, inspire, and trigger ideas in other people
• Social facilitation: Collaborating to reach a common goal can motivate everyone in the group

Generate and organize ideas

If you are running the meeting in real time, begin the brainstorming by giving all team members 10 to 15 minutes to add their ideas independently to your collaboration tool

• Ask people to contribute any ideas they brainstormed ahead of time as well as generate new ones
• As the facilitator, let your team know that you will be checking on the board as they brainstorm

Make Way for Virtual Brainstorming

Behavioral economics and research in psychology have an equally encouraging solution: virtual brainstorming.

• In a study comparing virtual and in-person brainstorming groups, both found that, while the latter group had more fun brainstorming, the virtual group generated more ideas, which is good for innovation and people.

Step 3: Evaluate

If the meeting is in real time, dedicate the next five to 10 minutes to an anonymous feedback session in which team members can comment on, rate, or vote for their favorite contributions.

• It can be helpful to give people a criteria to think about when assessing their team member’s ideas.

How to Run a Great (Virtual) Brainstorming Session

Lead a successful virtual brainstorming session

• Virtual brainstorming can be carried out with remote, hybrid, or in-person teams
• It just requires everyone to “not be in the same room”

Pick a shared collaboration tool that works for your team

Google Forms and MURAL are two useful collaboration tools that facilitate anonymous idea sharing and have a basic “free” option.

• You don’t need to sign into Google Forms to submit an idea, so contributions are automatically anonymous
• To begin, everyone in the meeting will need to log into a videoconferencing tool to discuss their ideas.

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