Brainstorming

Steve Portigal challenges product managers to re-think the idea-generation process by inviting in bad ideas. In brain-storming sessions, we frequently see two surges in ideas. The first is where the low hanging fruit is identified. The second surge is where more innovative ideas are frequently found. Welcoming bad ideas can be an effective strategy for Read more »

I recently had the pleasure of taking part in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) discussion in the Mind the Product Slack community, where we talked about Design Sprints, how I take my coffee (a cortado), and my favorite board game (Chutes ‘N Ladders!). I’ve pulled together the Design Sprints bit of the conversation, as I Read more »

Behavioural Economist and Financial Times columnist Tim Harford gave us a fascinating presentation on why frustration makes us creative, and why we should sometimes embrace the messiness around us at this year’s #mtpcon. Harford began with the story of a 1975 performance by jazz pianist Keith Jarrett at the Cologne Opera House when, as the Read more »

When you’re looking for new ideas, look beyond yourself. Collaboration and teamwork is a great way to generate new ideas. A popular way to do this is to brainstorm ideas, then aggregate them. Write a thought, whatever comes into your head, put it on a Post-It note. Now, stop. Let’s put them all together on Read more »