Benefiting from Brainstorming Software

One of the most effective ways to solve a problem or create a business plan is to brainstorm. Brainstorming, according to Dictionary.com, is defined as: “A conference technique of solving problems, amassing information, stimulating creative thinking, developing new ideas, etc., but unrestrained and spontaneous participation in discussion.”

In other words, a bunch of people sitting around a conference room table writing stuff down on flip charts and whiteboards, right? Wrong. As the song says, “That was yesterday, and yesterday’s gone.”

Today, thanks to technology, we are living in a world virtually (no pun intended) without limits, and that applies to brainstorming as well. With brainstorming software, participants can be anywhere in the world with an unlimited number of people participating.

Unlike a conference call where people may have difficulty hearing each other or are constantly cutting in on one another because of transmission delays, brainstorming software allows participation in real time with interactive graphics, flow charts, and illustrations. In addition, by facilitating participation, brainstorming software promotes a feeling of empowerment among employees; and, let’s not forget one very important factor: It is fun! With brainstorming software, the brainstorming session does not have to be a session at all, but rather an ongoing process, a process of creation, innovation and ideation.

In regards to idea management software, participants are contributing ideas for making the workplace better, the company more efficient, customer service friendlier, even compensation more market competitive. Idea management software does exactly what the name implies; it manages the creation and flow of ideas through the corporate evaluation and development process. What about the benefits beyond its simple function?

Like brainstorming software, employees are empowered by idea management software. They are encouraged by the very existence of the software to provide a flow of ideas in their pursuit of enterprise excellence. When the ideas flow, the company benefits from having the creative input of its entire staff.

Ideas plus collaboration equaled revolutionary success. For example, it was an employee of 3M who invented the adhesive used for Post-it Notes, but the adhesive itself was useless until a colleague made the connection from commodity to value. But that was a lucky coincidence, a fortunate accident.

Today, with software to facilitate processes like brainstorming and idea management, businesses can mine and benefit from the imaginations and innovations of their dedicated employees. Brilliance need no longer be left to chance.