Introducing ideas-bg - and how we use ideas to make thing better

A few words about ideas-bg.

We're focussed on facilitating innovation, so that's innovation as a process.

This is really about creating environments that are open to ideas on getting new things started or making existing things better.

It's about organisational creativity, creative problem solving, professional brainstorming, ideation or innovation facilitation. Ideation...innovation...?

Basically:

- Ideation = Generating ideas

- Innovation = Turning ideas into profit

Considering the creative solving of problems or challenges, and how best to capitalise upon opportunities there is a well established body of knowledge that says:

- separate the problem solving process owner from the content owner. i.e. use a process facilitator, who is not the problem owner / decision-maker.

- get a group of stakeholders in the challenge together to work on getting some new perspectives

- give them some dedicated time to generate a large quantity of ideas on addressing the challenge, without too much discussion or debate

- allow all ideas to be positively received, encouraged and built upon

- use some creative problem solving techniques to push for many perspectives on the challenge

- by pushing for a volume of ideas you greatly increase the chance of finding a good one

- get the stakeholders views on the more interesting or intriguing ideas generated, and on how those may be developed

And there are three ways that we are creating and facilitating these 'ideas rich' environments:

1. One-off ideation brainstorming events: Generate alot of new perspectives and ideas around a client problem or challenge, prioritise them, and start to develop some of the best ones. Outputs stay with the client.

2. Ideate-Innovate-Implement (3 i's) strategy development service: We'll hold on to the (ideation) outputs and come back another day to help develop the new thinking into actionable strategies and solutions (innovation), and can assist, as required, with delivery (implementation) phase of new initiatives.

3. Live and Breathe Innovation in your organisation: We'll engrain a culture of innovation by setting up an idea management system, facilitating regular innovation events, and embedding innovation skills with key management and staff.