Page 139 - 100 Great Business Ideas: From Leading Companies Around the World (100 Great Ideas)

U.S. Variations on Brainstorming

'There are a number of variations on the basic brainstorming
technique. Many of the techniques described in this book
use some of the elements of brainstorming. Two of the for-
mal variations on brainstorming derived in the U.S. are Take
Five and the Crawford Slip Method. These will be discussed
later in the chapter.

Japanese Creativity Techniques

Most Japanese creativity techniques are derived from some
form of brainstorming.' These approaches to problem solv-
ing serve the group-oriented Japanese quite well. Western-
style brainstorming, with its requirement of verbally tossing
out ideas as they are thought of, does not serve the Japanese
as well. Being more reserved than people of other nationali-
ties and reluctant to dispute the opinions of others, the Japa-

nese do not often express their thoughts openly. They
have developed several variations of brainstorming,
each in its own way aimed at adapting the creative
power of the process to create a culturally acceptable
technique.

These techniques are often used in a creativity circle,
which has evolved from the more familiar quality
circle. Whenproblems cannot be solved quickly us-
Hassoo ing the conventional techniques (usually quality con-
Generating trol), the circle turns to creative processes. The cre-
Breakthroughs ativity circle involves a work group trying to solve
problems together in a creative manner. The brain-
storming involved in such circles tends to be incre-
mental in nature and focused on a particular issue. Partici-
pants would be asked to think of new ideas for solving the
problem before coming to the next circle meeting. This they
might do on the weekends, at home, on the train on the way
home after work, or over drinks with colleagues.

Participants present their ideas to the circle (usually anony-
mously, in writing), where they are analyzed for their poten-
tial use in solving the problem at hand. If the ideas are pre-
sented verbally, the group's comments will be made after a
s period of time for reflection, and often after hearing some of

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