Guest blog: 3 tips to make your brainstorming sessions future-proof

Do you solve your company’s challenges from behind your laptop? Chances are, that’s probably quite often the case. When thinking about the future, of course, you can scour the web for developments, figures, and trends. But if you consider that this challenge could shape the future of your organization, would you still want to sit alone behind a screen?

To bring your challenge to life and find a solution that stands the test of time, The Forward Club advises: “Brainstorm with a future-proof mindset!”

Text: The Forward Club. Final editing: Brain Fuel. This text was published for the joint free webinar: “How future thinking and brainstorming will save the world together.”

When a bunch of trendwatchers start brainstorming…

At The Forward Club, as a strategy agency for the future, we’re constantly focused on renewal, trends, and innovation. We search for new initiatives, innovative companies, surprising frontrunners, and ideas that make massive impact.

Future-proof brainstorming is all about daring to let go of the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset and opening yourself up to unexpected solutions. What you need is the belief that, with a diverse team, you can make a big difference for the future through brainstorming. After all, the future doesn’t exist yet, we build it together.

That’s why we’re sharing three future-proof brainstorming tips to tackle your session like a true trendwatcher. Happy brainstorming!

Tip 1: First, take a look elsewhere

As trendwatchers, we don’t pull out a crystal ball to see what’s new and next. What we do is keep our eyes open to everything happening in the world around us.

Before diving into solution mode during a brainstorm, it’s essential to look at trends and developments both inside and outside your market. After all, you already know what your organization does well or what competitors are up to. It’s when you intentionally explore “unfamiliar” industries that you spot the most innovative ideas.

Want to supercharge a process within your organization? Take a look at the fire department or ambulance service, where every second counts. Dive into different industries and break free from autopilot before starting your futureproof brainstorm. Guaranteed creative, out-of-the-box input!

Tip 2: Conduct an interview with the future

As we mentioned earlier: “The future isn’t here yet; we build it together.” With that in mind, we like to kick off a brainstorm with an interview with the future. How does that work? Here’s how:

1. Break up your group of participants into two groups. Group 1 represents today, while Group 2 steps into the time machine and “travels” to the future. In the future (pick any year you like), the challenge you’re tackling today has been solved—and has even become a success for your company.
2. Now Group 1 gets to grill Group 2 about this future scenario. Who works at the company in the future? What was the decisive factor that made this idea happen? What major changes took place in the company to make this idea so successful? The possibilities for questions are endless, as you can see.
3. Meanwhile, Group 2 comes up with their own answers to the questions. Obviously, nothing has actually been realized yet, which means this group can freely speculate about the future they’re imagining, completely unbound by current obstacles.

Each “interview with the future” gives participants valuable insights to carry into later brainstorming exercises. Asking yourself, “If I were running my company in this future, what would I do differently than I do now?” helps you toss the “same old thinking” mindset overboard and makes room for fresh directions.

Tip 3: Bring je brainstorm results to life

Of course, you could have a colleague take a completed brainstorming canvas back to their desk and transfer the hundreds of sticky notes into a Word document. But how do you get everyone on board with these new solutions? And how do you keep your million-dollar idea alive within the organization? Your new ideas need to be tangible and palpable so that they take root in the very fabric of your colleagues.

At The Forward Club, we don’t believe in writing thick reports or creating static plans. They simply end up in a drawer, which is such a waste. For every project, we challenge ourselves to find an exciting and creative way to communicate ideas and results. This approach activates people, spurs them into action, and ensures that a (new) vision is widely embraced within the organization.

For example, record your interview with the future and release it as a podcast. Or harness the creative powerhouse of Artificial Intelligence to transform your new ideas into digital illustrations!

Off you go

In our view, every organization, big or small, needs future-proof brainstorming sessions to generate brilliant ideas that can fuel growth for years to come.

Want to dive deeper into the ins and outs of brainstorming? Bring in the ultimate brainstorming guru, Friso himself, and get inspired by even more brilliant ideas to elevate your sessions.

Want to know how to combine trends and creativity within your organization? The Forward Club is happy to brainstorm (pun intended) with you about your future challenges!

Psst: reading this before June 26? Make sure to sign up for the webinar on future thinking and brainstorming. It offers a practical deep dive into this topic. Click this link.