Brainstorming used to be the buzzword in business. It is a valuable tool if you keep control of the session. It is not such a popular tool anymore because it has it's limitations and if it does not achieve the goals for it, it becomes a waste of time. The goal of brainstorming is to share creative ways or ideas on how to do a specific task, reach a specific goal.
My recommendations would be to keep the sessions small enough to be manageable - it is easier to control the session with 10 people than it is to control it with 100 people.
If you use SKYPE to do the brainstorming - do a test run to make sure everybody can join. Same for any other way you use.
Set up a few clear rules and make sure all attendees get it before the session. These rules should not be ridiculous and defy the purpose of the session - but rather a few precise rules to contribute to the success and control of the session,
The basic principal of these rules comes down to respect and letting all the participants know their opinions matter and they are valuable to the team and the success of the session.
Do not interrupt each other
Do not make nasty remarks like saying somebody's idea is stupid
Listen with an open mind
Give everybody the opportunity to contribute - even if they only have questions and no suggestions.
Do not "wander" off topic - it is as easy as pie to start talking about a million other things for hours and end up with no useable ideas when you are done with the session.
Do not allow that one person you always have in any meeting to do all the talking! Do not be that person - lead the session and keep control but do not lecture them.
Make sure you make notes. Ask everybody to e-mail their ideas to you after the session.
Follow up - send the results of your session to all the participants.
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Brainstorming used to be the buzzword in business. It is a valuable tool if you keep control of the session. It is not such a popular tool anymore because it has it's limitations and if it does not achieve the goals for it, it becomes a waste of time. The goal of brainstorming is to share creative ways or ideas on how to do a specific task, reach a specific goal.
My recommendations would be to keep the sessions small enough to be manageable - it is easier to control the session with
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