We can all agree that one + one is two, but mixing a drop of water with another drop of water will still produce only one drop of water. Similarly goes for the ideation process – connecting two ideas or concepts together at the end we will have one idea or a concept. Being creative involves the same steps – combining from the first look unrelated ideas and coming up with something new. In this exercise, participants will have to let their minds free to wander and create yet undiscovered ideas.
Tools: Paper and pens
Participants: Solo or groups of any size
Time: 7 minutes + extra for presenting
How to:
Pair up if possible. Get paper and a pen.
Individually, come up with an object which name begins with the same letter as your surname.
Now, combine your object with your neighbors object to create a business opportunity: a product or a service. Ex. Toothpaste + Zebra = a zebra shaped toothpaste dispenser for kids that squeezes out portions (a product); custom designed and themed tools for dentists working with children (service/experience). Think about the concept in detail – what purpose does it serve, who uses it, how does it look like, etc.
Once the time is up, share ideas between groups and discuss the outcome.
Tips and tricks:
People can come up with the most unexpected ideas and the more varied backgrounds/ages/hobbies they have, the more fun it gets. Therefore, make sure to mix up the groups and put some time aside for presentations.
Another way of making this exercise according to its creator, Michael Michalko, is to write down the name of the object people come up with on a sticky note and post it on their forehead. Then ask people to mingle around the room and find another object to combine with theirs.