pile 'em up!

Looking for a Great idea? Then look for lots of ideas.

So what if most of them are crazy, zany, unworkable or odd? Sometimes creativity is a numbers game - the more possibilities you throw out, the more likely one of them will work.

First of all, avoid the "skeet shooting" method of brainstorming. When you brainstorm, make it clear the purpose of the brainstorming session is not to find THE idea, but to find as many ideas as possible. When you brainstorm, no pot shots are allowed. List the ideas as fast as you can get them out, no matter how crazy. You never know when the craziest idea will spawn the next great idea.

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Second, ask everyone for ideas. Good ideas are not the sole purview of managers, supervisors, line employees, house artists, or any exclusive group. Everyone has ideas. Ask for them. Listen. Write them down (don't shoot them down). Everywhere you go, ask people what they think. Remember, the idea is to get as many ideas and increase your odds that the best idea will emerge.

Third, never ask for one idea, ask for a dozen. If everyone you ask for ideas spits out a dozen thoughts, the odds go up in your favor.

Last of all, steal ideas. Look at how other people have done it. What worked? What didn't (What didn't work for someone else might work for you.)? Again, just get the ideas down and let other's ideas spawn new thoughts and approaches for your own situation.