Over the weekend I had the privilege of being part of an experience called Genimation (www.Genimation.com). Developed by Bob Smith and his team, this business planning process brings together genesis and imagination to create powerful outcomes.
Our focus for the weekend was Rick Raddatz’s company, Xiosoft, Inc. Rick is the creator of some great tools for adding audio and video to websites, and for developing marketing sites to build databases. He is about to roll out a number of new products and brought a team together to participate in a Genimation process to define a vision for the future of Xiosoft.
One of the most valuable lessons that I walked away from the experience with was being reminded of how our words frame our thinking…and how powerful it is to make small changes in words to reframe the way we look at the questions we are examining.
Here’s the essence of the lesson…
Most brainstorming sessions focus on defining a list of alternatives, narrowing it, and then going deeper by considering the pros and cons or advantages and disadvantages of each of the short list alternatives.
The Genimation process uses this same core concept, but with a unique and amazingly powerful twist…instead of considering pros/cons (or advantages/disadvantages), the questions are reframed in this way:
- To look at the positive side of each option, you answer the simple question: What do you like about this alternative?
- To consider the negatives or areas of concern, you first identify the concern in your mind and then preface it with the words “How to.” For example, if your concern was that the alternative would cost too much, you would state it as “How to cover the costs” or perhaps “How to finance it.”
Though it may seem trivial when you read it, trust me, this reframing changes everything. If you don’t believe me, sit down with a group of people and brainstorm a solution for a problem you are facing using this approach.
Chances are you’ll see consensus emerge more quickly, you’ll focus in on the important issues, instead of the trivial ones, and the process will be less contentious and stressful.
Try it…it really works!
NOTE: I strongly recommend the tools that Rick offers and encourage you to mark your calendar for May 1st when Xiosoft will be releasing an awesome new product that I had the chance to preview this weekend. Just visit this website to reserve your spot for the release:
http://May1st2007.com/?x=1094027
Trust me, you want to take advantage of this opportunity if you are serious about growing your business and leveraging the internet as a tool.
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