A Step by Step Guide to Brainstorming for Beginners. Only 6 Step Guide 2022

A Step by Step Guide to Brainstorming

If you want to generate some great business ideas, brainstorming is one of the best ways to do it, whether you’re a complete beginner or a business expert.

For those who want to start a new business, the following steps will help unlock your imagination and find the perfect business idea for you.

What is Brainstorming?

Brainstorming is a method of generating ideas and sharing knowledge to solve a particular commercial or technical problem, in which participants are encouraged to think without interruption. Brainstorming is a group activity where each participant shares their ideas as soon as they come to mind. At the conclusion of the session, ideas are categorized and ranked for follow-on action.

When planning a brainstorming session it is important to define clearly the topic to be addressed. A topic which is too specific can constrict thinking, while an ill-defined topic will not generate enough directly applicable ideas. The composition of the brainstorming group is important too. It should include people linked directly with the subject as well as those who can contribute novel and unexpected ideas. It can comprise staff from inside or outside the organization.

To ensure a productive session and one to which all present contribute, there are several brainstorming 'rules' -

How to Brainstorm Business Ideas?

Another effective way to get your creative juices flowing is to brainstorm your business ideas.

What is brainstorming? It’s a creative process during which you sit down alone or with a group of people and develop ideas to solve a problem. In this case, it’s a way of coming up with some business ideas.

Take into account the tips already mentioned above, and bear the following in mind:

• Aim for quantity: It’s very tempting to focus on just a few ideas, but it’s best to resist the urge, if possible. Instead, come up with as many ideas as you can, as this will help unlock new avenues and build off your old ideas.
• Don’t be judgemental: Inhibitions can severely dampen creativity, so try not to worry about the quality of your ideas in the beginning. Instead, let your mind be free and go wild.
• Brainstorm in a group if possible: You’ll find brainstorming in a group far more effective than if you do it on your own. This is because we all think and look at life from a different perspective.

Step 1: Brainstorm Your Purpose

The first step is to define why you want to start your own business. What is it about running a business that’s most important for you?

At the core of a business’s purpose are the following three things: 

1. What you enjoy. If you focus your business on something you enjoy, you’re bound to enjoy running it. Consider the types of hobbies and activities that make you happy.
2. What you’re good at. Ideally, if you’ve already got specific skills, you should choose a business that takes advantage of them. It could be something that’s job-specific or something more universal such as listening to people.
3. Is there an unmet need you can fill?

During the brainstorming process, don’t be afraid to keep asking yourself why.

Step 2: Let Your Mind Wander

Brainstorming is all about giving yourself room to dream and enabling a creative mindset. Find somewhere that’s nice and quiet and clear your mind of all other worries and tasks.

If you’re struggling to decide on the best location for your brainstorming, try this little exercise. For one week, spend twenty minutes brainstorming in a different place each day. Then, evaluate which location allowed you to be the most creative at the end of the week.

Once you’ve decided on a space, spend twenty minutes brainstorming there every day for one week. If you’re struggling to find the time for this, consider changing your routine.

Step 3: Research

During your brainstorming sessions, make a list of good business ideas. Then it’s time to research each one and hone your ideas. Google will be very helpful if you’re starting out in an industry that’s new to you.

Step 4: Filter Your Ideas

This is the time when you have to figure out which business idea is the best, so you can start on a business plan. You’ll find it helpful to use three filters to hone in on which business ideas are the best. These filters are time, money, and resources.

Evaluate each of your business ideas based on these priorities, and you’ll be able to determine which ideas are the most feasible.

Here are some examples of the kind of questions you can ask:

• Is it going to be hard to make your product?

• How much will the production costs be?

• What will be the price of shipping?

• Will you need a team to help create and sell the product?

• How big will that team have to be?

Another way to analyze your business ideas is with SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Step 5: Give Your Business a Name

Naming your business this early in the process helps make things feel more real. It will also give energy and life to your ideas.

An excellent way to decide on possible business names is to play a little word association game. Don’t think too hard about it, but instead, focus on your business idea and quickly make a note of the first words that come into your head.

With a list of ten or so words, you’ll be able to play around with them, combining them, changing some of the letters, and seeing what appears.

Step 6: Develop Your Idea Before You Share It

It’s only natural to want to share your ideas, especially with those closest to you. However, it’s always best to really develop and work on your idea before you share it.

Do your market research, ask yourself lots of questions, think about potential pitfalls and successes. That way, you’ll have all the answers when people come at you with their skepticism, which they invariably will.

There are, however, some people you’ll need to share your business idea with as soon as you can. These include manufacturers if you’re making a product and lawyers.