Step 2: Ideate

All right – here we go! We’ve identified the challenge, now let’s come up with some ideas

The Simplysolve™ Guide will show you four ways to come up with ideas; Gather, Observe, Borrow and Brainstorm.

Gathering ideas is a great place to start when you are looking for something new.  The Simplysolve™ Guide will show you many different ways to generate ideas. It is likely an “Aha!” moment when a different idea will occur that ends up being your ultimate solution as you write down and ponder these ideas.

Borrowing ideas is not stealing. It’s creative theft, and no, you won’t get arrested for it. Many of the best ideas come from taking something that exists and making it better. Borrowing does not mean outright copying something that exists today. That’s not good. However, taking something that exists and putting your own spin on is innovative.

Some of your best ideas can come from observing. It could be watching your employees, your customers, your competitors, your non-customers, your family, your dog or your goldfish. Wow, finally something I can do. I can look at things. But there are secrets that will help you be a better observer and that will translate your observations into ideas.

Brainstorming is simply getting a few people together and then using the group to come up with ideas. Brainstorming can be done as your primary idea generating method or can be used after Idea Gathering, Borrowing, or Observing as you may have some great ideas but need help fleshing them out. The brainstorming tips in the Simplysolve™ Guide are important as they will help you in your brainstorming session.