Ways to Generate Ideas from a Distance

More people are working from home than ever before. Organizations need a way of innovating from a distance. Remote work is expected to increase in the coming years. A recent study reveals 42% of employees who are given the option will work from home more within five years.

Collaboration is the key to effective idea creation and problem-solving. There are many ways to brainstorm remotely. Here are a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Break brainstorming meetings into smaller groups

Brainstorming meetings are a great way to bring employees together. They create a relaxed environment for sharing ideas.

Divide your employees into smaller groups for the initial meeting. Remote meetings can be difficult when everyone is trying to talk at once.

Ask for individual solutions

Ask each member of your brainstorming group to submit ideas on their own. These could include the answer to a question or a solution to a problem.

Once everyone has submitted their ideas, collect them for distribution to the larger group. You can then build upon them to determine the ones you will keep or discard.

Create a shared document

Create a document containing the top five to 10 ideas. Invite others to further develop them into proposals through document collaboration.

Share this document with other team managers. This helps you further cultivate those ideas that stand out.

Extend your outreach

Remote work relies heavily on technology to get the job done. Meetings and collaboration can happen from anywhere. This creates opportunities for engaging more people.

Extending outreach offers new perspectives and adds value to projects. It also allows you to reach out to other professionals or even the customers themselves.

Create specific scenarios

Specific scenarios lead to tailored solutions. Rather than providing your team with abstract situations, give them a set of particular circumstances.

Outline the problem in detail. This results in targeted solutions.

Embrace change

Problem-solving scenarios will change over time. Finding one solution may create the need for another. It can also reveal other existing problems.

Employees who are in on finding a solution from beginning to end are likely to remain committed. They feel a part of the entire process, which keeps them engaged.

Build a structure for remote collaboration

Clarity and structure are essential for remote work. The number of people working from home has increased by 44% in the last five years. Employees need to know what is expected of them and plan their days accordingly.

Check-in with team members through regular meetings. This keeps everyone connected and in the loop.

Structure brainstorming meetings. Ensure team members are apprised of the creative process and know how to share ideas.

Create a workspace

Focusing is a challenge when you work and live in the same place. Establishing a designated workspace helps you keep your brain engaged when it is time to be creative.

Designate a space only for work. Even if you don’t have a home office, you can still add personal touches that promote creativity. Surround yourself with objects you would include on your desk at the office.

Want more ways to promote global idea-sharing? Contact us to request a demo.