Group Brainstorming 1. A set of rules for “idea-generating groups 2. Not a panacea, but one of the best ways for face-to-face groups to generate ideas. 3. Increases speed, quality, commitment, and fun

IDEO’ s Brainstorming Rules Defer judgment Build on the ideas of others Have only one conversation at a time Stay focused on the topic Encourage wild ideas

Agenda for In-Class Brainstorming Exercise 1. Selected representatives leave the room -- no talking to one another (5 to 10 minutes) 2. Group brainstorming and decision-making by representatives in front of class (30 minutes) 3. Analysis and discussion of in-class group and brainstorming in general (30 to 35 minutes)

Assignment for Group Part 1: Brainstorming How can Hanes increase the sales of pantyhose to men? Write ideas on the board !

Assignment for Group Part 2: Decision-making: What was the wildest idea? What was the most exciting idea? What was the most practical

Volunteers for the Brainstorming Group? Three men, Three women Leave the room!

In Class: Four "Specialists" on Aspects of Group Dynamics Roles Norms Communications Interruptions

Overall Assessment What are the strengths of the group process used by the brainstorming group? Do you have any suggestions about how the group could have improved its process?

Role Specialists Who was the task leader of the group? What other roles emerged in the group? Was there any "jockeying" between members for these roles?

Norm Specialists What were some of the key norms that seemed to be used by the group at the outset? What norms developed during the course of the brainstorming session? Where there any subtle (or not so subtle) conflicts about what the group's norms should be?

Communication Specialists Who talked the most? Who talked the least? Who talked to whom? Which members rarely talked to one another?

Interruption Specialists Who interrupted other members the most? Who was interrupted by other members the most? Which members, if any, engaged in "interruption battles," where each tried to interrupt the other?

Group Process: Overall Assessment What are the strengths of the group process used by the brainstorming group? Do you have any suggestions about how the group could have improved its process?

Brainstorming Exercise 2: What can the David Eccles School of Business do to gain a much higher ranking in its undergraduate business program?

Final Points 1. There are so many things going in in most groups at once that is impossible for any one person to comprehend all of them. 2. As a result, group members may be unaware, or only dimly aware, of how the group’s process affects their decision 3. When do you focus on group process? Perhaps only when it is “broken.”