5 ways that fuel new ideas

Whether for solving a problem, developing a product, or recruiting new members, companies and associations rely on innovative ideas in many ways. The necessary inspiration sometimes comes out of nowhere. But one should not rely on it. It is better to prepare the ground for creative processes at an early stage with appropriate concepts. Today, idea management is much more than a quick brainstorming session in the office.

Idea management: Five ways for new ideas

1. Promote innovations
2. Sport and creativity
3. Network full of ideas
4. Strategy development made easy
5. Incentive system at VAUDE

In the comic, things seem relatively simple. A bit of hard thinking, a quick snap of the fingers - and the imaginary light bulb above your head lights up, signalling the arrival of a flash of inspiration. In real life, the search for the sparkling idea is usually more difficult. Nevertheless, it is by no means pure chance. Smart idea management can help companies, associations and organizations create an atmosphere in which creativity flourishes.

Ideation or business inspiration are the names of the methods that serve as a catalyst for idea generation. But why are they in such demand at the moment? "When ideas come from within, they are very authentic and usually fit in with what a club, association or company represents," explains Torsten Weber, professor at CBS University and transformation expert at the German Football League (DFL). "For new ideas, club members or employees are often the best source. They know the structures and, as a rule, also have the concern to help develop or further develop something in order to optimize processes."

So Google allows its employees to be innovative in different ways. One well-known example is the 80/20 rule. It encourages employees to spend 80 percent of their weekly working time on regular projects. 20 percent is left over for their own ideas and approaches. This opens up space for innovations in all directions.

Just like the unconventional flair of the gigantic Googleplex. The corporate headquarters in Mountain View, a part of Silicon Valley, looks like a mix of adventure playground and all-inclusive resort. In addition to retreats for a nap, there's a miniature golf course, a soccer field, a gym and other sports options. After all, a shared workout with colleagues is a great way to philosophize about the tasks at hand. It is also thought that employees who are relaxed and having fun are capable of top creative performance.

What also speaks for sport in the creative process: It seems to literally shake good ideas out of their drawers. And it doesn't even take a sweaty match to get the mind going as well as the body. Gray matter loves movement. A few steps are enough to get them going. Some techniques for brainstorming take advantage of this.

One of them is brain walking. This variation of the well-known brainstorming is a creativity method in which, for example, flipcharts are distributed in a certain area: on a floor, in a stairwell or even in the fresh air. Each of these charts contains a question or a problem. All participants now go from station to station and write down their ideas on the respective points. The movement gets the brain moving and helps good ideas get off the ground.

If you want to increase the speed a little, you can unpack your jogging shoes. A round through the park floods the body with oxygen and stimulates creativity. But you shouldn't overdo it. If you run out of breath, your body has other things to worry about than the next brilliant thought.

"I think these incentive systems are very important and would like to see us implement them much more in associations and companies," says Weber. Ultimately, however, it is not the form of idea management that is decisive, but the overall picture. "Without innovations and creative new approaches, there is no improvement, no optimization, but only a kind of standstill. That's why it's so important that something happens in clubs, associations and companies." And soon, hopefully, numerous imaginary light bulbs will light up above the heads of association members and employees to indicate a much-needed flash of inspiration.