Better workshops = better ideas

Are you developing a new product, improving a service or coming up with a new communication concept? Start the process by organizing a workshop!

Creative workshops can have many different purposes and setups, but there are some universal things to think about if you want to get out as much as possible from it.

Dream scenario

Choose a leader for the workshop. That person’s job is to make sure everyone gets a chance to speak, monitor the conversations, keep an eye on the time and help out when you get stuck
Try and put together a group containing a mixture of people with different backgrounds and preferences. Maybe your clients can join the workshop? Or people with different roles at the company? Groups with more diversity come up with solutions of higher quality.
Don’t sit in the same old conference room. Holding the workshop at a café or maybe a hotel will generate new impressions and you will find yourself being more creative. Why not have a “walking workshop” where the participants think, talk and walk at the same time?

Rules

Never say no! Is there anything worse than when someone says no at an idea meeting? Maybe next time that person has an idea, he or she will be afraid to say it out loud – and maybe that idea would’ve been the winning one? Instead of saying no, try and widen the idea that you think needs some more work.
Forget about everything that has to do with prestige. There are no hierarchies when it comes to good ideas. Forget about who’s boss and who’s assistant. Try to create a safe environment.
Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak. If one of the participants takes up a little too much space and acts like a classic “know it all”, it’s the leader’s responsibility to monitor the conversation, lift and encourage the other participants.

One hour setup

The classic, but effective one: start by creating a playful environment. Take five minutes and think about a crazy question or warmup with a physical activity.
Start with the idea work! Write down everything the group comes up with, put it up on the wall or spread it out on the table. It makes it easier to remember all the ideas and can be used as a tool when the conversation is starting to run dry.
When you get stuck: enlarge the ideas you already have or start putting different ideas together to one, bigger idea.
When it’s twenty minutes left, let the group come up with the CRAZIEST ideas they have. The more impossible to realize, the better. The purpose is for them to open up their minds and eventually narrow it down to something more realistic.
When it’s ten minutes left: tell them it’s only four instead. Time pressure can be very efficient!

Remember!

A workshop often takes more time than you think. Try to not squeeze too much in!
Put up a schedule and plan time for tasks, presentations and summary.
Be quick with the feedback. Write a summary containing the most important things, add some pictures, potentially from the presentation material and maybe some post it notes that you used during the workshop.

Are you trying to plan a workshop? We’ll help you!