Idea Generation: Stretching Our Thinking
about Brainstorming
This is the session to
come to if you would like to expand your tool set beyond the classic brainstorming
method of Alex Osborn. During this workshop, Sharon Kalus will help
us generate ideas/options on topics of interest to BFR members using two
brainstorming techniques:
Structured Brainstorming, a type of
affinity diagram tool also known as Net Touch,
Word/Picture Associations and
Analogies.
This highly
interactive workshop will enable you to develop skills for small and large
group brainstorming. We will also discuss the applicability of these
techniques in different environments.
At the end
of this session, you will have learned a few techniques that you can begin to
use in your own settings, as well as additional information about the topics
covered.
Mal Watlington and Fredia
Woolf will follow on from Sharon’s brainstorming activities by covering a complementary topic, convergence.
Broadly speaking, convergence means reducing the output from an idea generation
process from many options to a few, or even a single one.
Through group
discussion, handouts and participation in a few exercises, Mal and Fredia will
explore various techniques for conversion, looking both at those that do require
voting, and some that do not.
BIOS:
Sharon
Kalus is the
Quality Director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, leading and consulting
to strategic initiatives related to process improvement, voice of the customer,
and change. She also chairs an internal workgroup focused on creativity
and innovation. She has an MBA in finance and a BS in education.
She considers the crowning achievement of her career to date as not
having lost her sense of humor. Outside the Reserve Bank, Sharon spends
as much "quality" time as possible with her husband, two sons, and
crazy dog.
Fredia
Woolf is Principal
of Woolf Consulting, which specializes in helping clients to clarify business
strategy and lead change in their organizations. Her mission is to
improve decision making and increase the effectiveness of leadership teams,
project teams, boards, cross-functional groups and individual executives in
accomplishing strategic goals. She has an MBA, has been a teacher,
stockbroker and management consultant, has lived in three continents and has
learned seven languages.
Mal
Watlington, President of
City Square Consulting, has over 30 years of management consulting and
functional leadership experience, helping companies creatively address critical
issues in the areas of human performance, competitive strategy, marketing and
sales. He developed and implemented succession planning, leadership
development, performance management, competitive intelligence and TQM programs
during his tenure with several global manufacturing and technology companies,
and provided internal organization development and compensation consulting for
senior managers in the United States and Europe.
Location: – John Hancock Building, Berkeley and
Clarendon Sts.