Creativity Websites
Blackboard lists four websites with differing approaches to the problem of individual-level creativity (Whack on the Side of the Head; Debono's Lateral Thinking; Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain; and ideation TRIZ). Based on your investigation of these approaches and your personal experience with the problem of generating good ideas, which of the four different approaches would you recommend to people seeking to improve their ideation ability? Do any of the approaches offered fit particular kinds of problem better (or worse)?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Based on my experience, engaging in an activity completely outside of your normal daily “pattern” aids in ideation to a high extent. I find that deliberately doing a new/different activity helps to bring a new perspective to whatever kind of thinking or task is at hand. When these new activities are done, new perspectives are gained by forcibly applying old knowledge in a new way, a way in which it may not have been originally intended. I believe this approach generates useful ideas because it forces practicality into the ideation. These are real tasks/activities that require real knowledge. Although I dislike reality TV, the show “The Amazing Race” is a good example of doing completely different activities. The only unlimited “currency” the contestants have is their own knowledge, which they must use to progress in the show by completing all kinds of odd tasks.
ReplyDeleteThe “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” website seems to mimic this idea. It is not necessary that the drawing technique teaches one how to become a Picasso. Instead, it is the usage of existing knowledge and intelligence that must be applied in a new way in order to complete the drawing task. This type of ideation may best apply when the problem at hand involves existing technology or requires a more practical innovation.
I prefer having some structure in brainstorming sessions rather than simply trying to generate ideas in an unstructured brainstorming session. In my experience, there are exercises that can help people feel more comfortable generating ideas and also allow them to think differently, leading to better idea generation. I attended one brainstorming session in which a small group of us were forced to take on different roles as we generated and evaluated ideas and we took turns playing each role. This role-playing exercise sounded similar to De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats or von Oech’s 4 roles (explorer, artist, judge, warrior). I thought this role-playing session was really effective because it forced us to take on different perspectives and think differently about the same problem. We were able to generate more ideas as well as build on ideas we already had.
ReplyDeleteFor this reason, I’d recommend De Bono’s Lateral Thinking or Roger Von Oech’s Whack on the Side of the Head. I like how De Bono provides a structured, rational exercise to get at alternative ways of looking at the same problem and how Von Oech provides concrete exercises to break mental blocks. Both of them seem to go beyond just theory and provide actual exercises that anyone could easily try out.
Ideation frameworks are all well and good if you already have a keen eye for the unusual, the odd, the off. Without first observing the details and intricacies of the world around you - i.e., not just the communities you occupy but the social and environmental nooks far from your everyday conscientiousness - frameworks simply help you stretch the potential of what amounts to a limited batch of inputs processing in your brain. Based on this notion, I would recommend that, of the four creative methodologies referenced, people start by following Dr. Betty Edwards’ “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” approach.
ReplyDeleteI should note that there may be some degree of confirmation bias in my answer. As a high-school senior, I weighed heavily the possibility of attending art school over a traditional four-year undergraduate program. While I did not follow through with the opportunity, I did take away valuable lessons from my pre-collegiate studies that I have since applied to my career in business. Just like dissecting the code of a color (e.g., to create a more vivid shade of black with colored pencils, blend a combination of crimson red, indigo blue, dark green, and burnt umber), studying art can train your eye to dive deeper into seemingly obvious solutions to problems. For a guy like me who has two left-brained-centric engineers for parents, my artistic studies have been invaluable in helping me to think creatively at home, in school, and at work.
In terms of following specific approaches for different kinds of problems, I think the TRIZ Problem-Solving method and Debono's Lateral Thinking would be particularly valuable when you are trying to corral the ideas and talents of a team of people. Employing some sort of structure ensures that team members maximize their creativity while minimizing the types of behaviors that stifle ideation, all while pushing forward with a clear end purpose.
Edward de Bono's Lateral Thinking proposes four types of thinking tools, one of which is for generating new ideas. I think his techniques are effective because they are fun and easy to try. For example he proposes, through the Provocation Idea Generating Tool, to select ideas by wishful thinking or by exaggeration. This gives people an opportunity to "dream" about ideal situations, products or services which is something we all like to do. Additionally, his Random Entry Idea Generating Tool lets thinkers choose an object and then associate it with the object in which you are trying to innovate. Quite simple! I can see the benefits of using both of these techniques in organizations that employ a large number of blue collar workers and that want to maximize their enormous idea generation potential to solve or improve the organization's performance.
ReplyDeleteWhen speaking of generating “good ideas”, I think that brainstorming for new ideas (an example would be to a new packaging for a product or an advertisement) and coming up with a creative way to address a particular problem (how do I rearrange someone else’s closet without making them mad) are two different things.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, Brainstorming for purely new ideas requires exposure to either new or different objects. One thing that was really helpful in our brainstorming sessions was to bring Lego blocks and other toys to meeting. I feel that this kind of exposure stimulated the “creative” side of the brain, and helped us bounce ideas around. I would recommend Roger van Oech’s brain stimulation “tools” in this situation.
However, when coming up with creative solutions to problems, I have always taken a different approach. Taking up the different positions and putting yourself in other people’s shoes is great for this situation, since you’re trying to overcome an obstacle usually set by other people. By taking different positions, you are also able to “beta test” your initial solutions and come up with a solution that fits the interest of all parties and considerations. The six hats story by Debono is a great demonstration of this approach.
When asked what method I would suggest to someone seeking to improve their ideation, I tend to assume that this generally implies that this individual is seeking their ability to improve on generation new ideas and improve their creative thinking.
ReplyDeleteWhile Van Oech's tools seem geared towards unlocking the proverbial "creative juices", I am skeptical that they are as effective in actually improving creativity. I would guess they are better at stimulating it rather than improving it.
I an greatly intrigued with De Bono's parallel thinking and lateral thinking theories. Having never tried any of these methods, I can speak to their effectiveness, but at first review I think that the notion of putting collective thought energy towards solving a problem could potentially result in exceptionally creative results.
All this being said, I have to say that the "drawing from the right side of the brain" seems to me an effective way of improving ideation generally. I appreciated Thomas' post above, regarding seeing challenges through a unique lens and the value of art studies. As business school students, many of us are inundated with numbers, data, words and logic, and it is no wonder we often lose touch with our "right" side. I took two photography courses in undergraduate school and to this day I am able to look at something simple, such as a tree or a brick wall, and see patterns, shapes, and symmetry. I believe the ability to utilize these creative tools are very beneficial to any professional and substantially enhance the ability to creatively address problems.
Through the four methods, I noticed two different trends: The book-learned 'framework' style methods like TRIZ and a more hands-on 'just do it' approach like Whack on the Side of the Head. Personally, I am inspired by the 'just do it approach'. I often do brain teasers and enjoy the satisfaction of figuring out a solution on my own. I found myself spending the most time on Roger vonOech's site, reading about his Ball of Whacks and playing the frog game (bottom of the site). Figuring out your own creative process is something that comes from 'just doing it', and you can observe how you solve problems and adjust accordingly.
ReplyDeleteThis is the opposite of the TRIZ approach, which is core framework. I could see this being a good 'classroom' style approach... something that would be helpful if you HAD to follow an approach. This would be most useful to people who don't ordinarily consider themselves as creative minds, but want to come up with innovative solutions. ARIZ (see 40 Processes pdf) seems very useful for a streamlined process. Wouldn't be surprised if we see this one in class!
Also, as a sidenote, the vonOech methods (and site) rely heavily on images. If I remember my undergrad psych classes, doesn't that inspire the right brain?
I would recommend the Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain approach to people seeking to improve their ideation ability. The approach is very simple and straightforward. I think it would have the greatest impact of changing people’s own perceptions of their creative ability, which I think is the main thing in improving an individual’s ideation ability. I am a very “visual” person with a background in art, so perhaps this is why I would recommend this site.
ReplyDeleteI think the Creative Think approach would be best suited for companies/individuals that are susceptible to getting into a daily routine and not really deviating from that path. The approach suggests that in order to think creatively you need to do exercises that force your brain to think differently.
I think the best approach for people who want to improve in ideation ability is “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain”. People have varying degrees of drawing ability but for the most part do not think of themselves as skilled artists. This class takes people out of their comfort zone and teaches them to view the world in a different way than they have in the past. I think one of the problems with ideation is that people cannot communicate clearly what the problem or solution may be. This class teaches people to take an abstract idea and actually convey it on paper. This strengthens the ability to make ideas, notions, concept and passing thoughts into tangible, clear and understandable material.
ReplyDeleteThis class would be ideal if ideation is based on delivering a physical solution, because it would aid in designing and drawing out the idea. However, I also think learning a new skill allows you to view the world differently, which is key to solving many different kinds of problems.
I chose Edward De Bono Lateral Thinking exercises as the most effective tool in the generation of new ideas. De Bono uses methods such as the Six Thinking Hats, viewing the scenario from different angles, and other creative resources through his simple exercises. The overarching goal that comes from his resources is to give people self-esteem in their ability to think. Also, the tools will provide self-confidence and simple structure in breaking down the mental block barrier. Most of his material is run through 1-2 day lectures and seems relatively simple to comprehend. In my opinion, The TRIZ Program seems much more complicated. Essentially, this is a training program to help companies become more innovative through multiple workshops consisting of 40 Principals, Algorithm Problem solving methodology, and evolution of technical standards. I think the simplicity of De Bono’s Lateral Thinking through various brainstorming activities versus a TRIZ classroom-like environment would maximize idea generation.
ReplyDeleteOne of my biggest problems when trying to generate ideas is that I tend to self-censor as I go along, which slows down the process and reduces my creativity. I need to be pushed, so I think that De Bono’s structured workshops would be a good fit for me. His ideas seem to push for active ideation instead of one of the more passive approaches, such as Edwards’s Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I would assume that the same approach to improving ideation ability would work for others as well.
ReplyDeleteThe article about neuroscience and creativity says that a break in routine leads to more creative thinking, so choosing an appropriate approach might depend on the problem that needs to be solved. If, for example, I was trying to be creative in designing a product, right-brain drawing might be the best solution. It is a different approach to creating a similar, visual product. It may be enough of a break from the normal design process to give a new perspective.
"It depends." Ideation is so much more than brainstorming. I disagree with TRIZ that innovation and creativity can be entirely learned. I agree it can be taught, but intuition and the ability for the mind to switch gears and jump out of its comfort zone requires motivation and intuition also.
ReplyDeleteFor strategists who have difficulty thinking beyond the data, especially for consumer campaigns, product design and visual tasks, I would recommend Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain. The "mushiest" of the 4 conventions, it also seems the most relaxing and all-inclusive of the bunch - I like that it considers ones R-Mode and L-mode simultaneously. Would be an excellent group exercise to kick off a day of ideation-based meetings. (Calisthenics always helps, too.)
I've been putting on my Thinking Hat and making PMIs (Plus, Minus and Interesting) for 25 years as my lower school principal taught weekly Edward DeBono seminars to our student body from 1st-6th grade, engaging our parents in semi-annual seminars, etc. Creativity was encouraged at every level and every class through de Bono mind-mapping, PMIs, Considering all Factors (CAF), etc. Perhaps de Bono "think" led me to start a career in marketing?
Nonetheless, the visual aids presented by Whack in the Side of the Head, similar to IDEO's method cards, provide excellent tools for people who need guidance to diversify ways (activities, to-dos) to generate ideas. (Show me how to think creatively and I'll respond.) Oech's cards also encourage experience-based and empathetic understanding of a topic/problem/solution, which is vital to the creative process (IMHO). This could be useful for building client relations, curing writer's block, breaking out of daily cube-life routine or engaging engineers in a consumer problem, etc.
I would recommend De Bono's method to anyone looking for help in generating ideas. His framework uses more familiar means to stimulate creative thought. I agree with his feeling that overcoming common obstacles such as complacency are as important as developing a desciplined appraoch to generating ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe four websites we reviewed all offer a unique approach to helping people seeking to improve their ideation ability. I would recommend each of the approaches to someone based on the particular kind of problem they are trying to solve.
ReplyDeleteFor someone who is trying to come up with a new idea from scratch, I would recommend Edward De Bono’s “thinking tools” to generate new ideas on demand by learning to escape from the obvious way of looking at things and training yourself to think in a new way.
For someone who is trying to think of a way to improve something that already exists, I would recommend the TRIZ system because it is an algorithmic approach to solving technical problems and produces systematic innovation. It is not as much about starting from scratch, but more about improving something or fixing a perceived problem in a systematic fashion.
For someone who is trying to overcome a mental creative block, I would recommend using Roger Van Oech creative thinking techniques. Van Oech believes that you improve your creative abilities by using them. He sells an iphone app and has an x-ball tool to inspire creativity. It is really about jumping in and working through mental blocks by forcing you put your creative abilities to use.
For someone who is just trying to feel better at ideation in general, I would recommend the exercises developed by Dr. Betty Edwards and her “drawing on the right side of the brain” theory. These exercises teach you to make a mental shift from L-mode to R-mode and according to her website, “one of the frequent effects is a new self-perception as a creative and artistic person”.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is an effective method of shifting mindset for someone who has difficulty tapping into creativity. As someone who much more frequently thinks of the left side of my brain, I purchased this book several years ago as part of an introductory drawing class. The exercises in the class were things like, "draw a ball". My initial renderings of a ball were very childlike. When I followed the method in the book, however, I realized that I wasn't seeing the ball how it actually looked, but rather stereotyping what I thought a ball looked like. The book teaches you to actually look at what is really there, which is a profound mind-shift. Bringing it back to ideation, not binding yourself to preconceived notions allows you to think much more freely.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of the websites suggest very structured approaches to generating good ideas. For example the TRIZ problem solving method seems most appropriate for a corporate or classroom setting. However in terms of generating individual ideas, the Whack on the Side of the Head and Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain seem to be the most beneficial.
ReplyDeleteThe Whack on the Side of the Head theory resonates with me personally. I like the idea of using new places and experiences to generate out of the ordinary ideas. A major limitation, however, is mustering up the initiative to seek out new experiences. Finding a new setting for a brainstorming session or tracking down new experiences is a challenge in itself. We tend to repeat patterns and act out of habit so a great amount of effort is required to put ourselves in an entirely new situation.
The Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain theory also resonates with me. I have found that even something as simple as working with my hands shifts my mind from the left side to the right side and expands my mind beyond my traditional thinking. My thinking is expanded when I am able to translate ideas out of my head and into something tangible. Whether that involves writing, doodling, or pulling apart a paperclip, engaging other senses helps me to generate more ideas.
In my experience with brainstorming or ideation sessions in a work environment, a general framework or set of loose guidelines serves to provide everyone with some direction for their ideas as well as what is actually feasible in terms of budget, timing, etc. If there are no boundaries, it may make the process more difficult since it will be harder for people to wrap their head around the goal.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, each of the websites has a unique approach to induce creativity to solve a diverse range of problems. There are certain fields and industry's that likely demand more structure than others due to their technical nature, which would do well with the TRIZ method. However, I think it completely depends on the individual to determine which method is best for them. The Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain resonates with me because I am extremely visual. I think there is a greater ability to enhance creativity through images, a more sensory oriented approach, because there is so much more to an image than a string of words or a set process. It takes more creativity to generate an image, and to be able to convey the exact image that you have in your mind takes a true artist. This method teaches you how to pull those images out which is invaluable.
All of these websites have some value in approaching idea creation. Every individual thinks differently and therefore everyone would respond differently to each method. Due to this variation in types of thinking, I do not believe there is one method that is significantly more effective than another.
ReplyDeleteFor me personally, some loose structure and strategy tends to help my mind become unstuck and come up with new ideas. Roger von Oech’s methods would likely be more helpful to me in helping to try out a new strategy or change the direction of thought by using a tool like the “Creative Whack Pack.” It is simple enough so that one does not get bogged down in the idea generation process but would be helpful in providing thought direction.
Sometimes I just need a good whack on the side of the head to help me generate ideas, especially when I've hit a wall. Roger von Oech's website provides just that. The "Whack of the day" for today is a strategy that could have come in useful many times in my life, including class on Tuesday. Today's "whack" urges the reader to 1) Just look at something, and make associations. 2) Think "what do these associations make you think of?" 3) Keep repeating Step #2. Sure its borderline insultingly simple - but it works! Especially for me.
ReplyDeleteDrawing on the Right Side of the Brain would be a good approach for someone with either a stronger L-Mode or a stronger R-Mode. By drawing you effectively combine these two modes, and shift from one to the other. It could be useful for someone who is either too verbal and analytic, or too visual and perceptual.
Edward de Bono examines the reasons people think the way they do. Specifically, he examines personal thought process constraints and how we can expand those. Doing so I believe is extremely helpful for anyone wishing to expand their ideation ability.
ReplyDeleteInnovative people are “tweakers,” constantly looking to take apart, examine, put together, and improve upon everything and anything. The desire to improve upon everything and anything starts with a vivid imagination and the ability to see opportunity. Edward de Bono addresses this by teaching how to view the world in a way where this opportunity is visible. Not only is it visible but he offers unique perspective on how to view the opportunity differently than most people. Once the opportunity is identified ideas on how to address it can be created. Creating unique ideas can be much more valuable than creating a lot of ideas.
Opportunities can exist around a number of different problems and situations. Edward de Bono proposes a way to see opportunity in the world around us. However, if the problem or opportunity has already been identified other approaches may be more useful. TRIZ offers the framework for working through the ideation process from start to finish.
I was drawn into looking at A Whack On The Side Of The Head by Roger von Oech. It's a book I've always heard is a great book for creativity but never got around to looking at. The author talks about mental blocks and how people need a whack on the side of the head to get past them. I think this is a very useful tool for spurring creative thought. Changing perspectives, looking at situations in new ways, history proves that this is how new solutions came about.
ReplyDeleteIn my own life, I've always felt that looking at things the same way everyone else would and producing the expected results would suffice but not overachieve in any way. However, I think you have to be careful. Looking at situations from a new perspective doesn't mean you should try too hard to be creative. If you do this you get ideas that display an attempt to be creative. So there is a balance that has to be struck between looking at things differently and trying too hard to be creative. I think the answer is taking a new perspective but remaining truthful about this new perspective. Don't force wild ideas from a new perspective just because they are different. You should take the obvious and go with it. Take what it is that you see, don't force it just so your new idea is creative.
Going through the websites, I thought that Roger Von Oech's Creative Think website had a lot of great ideas. Specifically, his blog mentioned several different ideas on business development, nature, and had a few fun games that made me think. Furthermore, his Whack of the day seemed specifically designed to help those struggling for new ideas (I might have to use it for 101 solutions list). While the Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain made me approach drawing with a different mindset, I think there isn't as much application to the real world (unless you are concerned with aesthetic innovation). TRIZ seemed like a really formal way of organizing ideas, and would be most helpful for people with a very specific problem to solve. I could picture the Apollo 13 engineers creating a technical systems/subsystems chart.
ReplyDeleteOne way I try to exercise my feeble brain is through crossword puzzles. Further along the week, as the puzzles get harder, the clues become more complex. A simple clue, like "Dog", could talk about a canine, a team against a superior opponent, a verb for not putting in full effort, or a food. They do a nice job of keeping me on my toes and looking at a words and ideas from a different perspective.
I would recommend people seeking to improve their ideation ability to use Edward de Bono's lateral thinking approach. I'm more of a type A personality, thus I found his method has the most structure in comparison to the other three. He actually lists a step-by-step process to train our right brain, to exercise creative mind, and to produce new ideas. In addition to that, he provides different learning tools which we can pick which one suits us best. One concern I have for his method is that he only has small selection of games; while some people may find that game is an easy/interesting way to exercise creativity.
ReplyDeleteThe Technical Innovation Center offers an approach that fits organizational training better. I could not see the training and learning experience that they provide, though they seem to have a structure training method for a big group of people. Since training creativity for multiple individuals will be harder than a single individual, I think it has a unique methodology to offer. In addition, two their clients listed were also my old clients in my previous jobs- seems that I have confident that they are a solid trainer.
Michael Hadipoespito
Whack on the side of the head prompted me to "ask a fool" for his or her perception of the problem at hand. Although initially this suggestion may seem counter intuitive, sometimes the a problem is best solved with a very simple solution, one that is literally right under your nose. A fool may point out the obvious. Occasionally clarity arises from looking at a problem from a very simple perspective. Just as children sometimes have opinions that surprise and delight you, since their innocent minds are not burdened with the complexities of the world, so does a fool give you the ability to look at the problem from a place of simplicity. I believe this website would provide a strong ideation strategy for anyone who finds themselves at an impasse when searching for a solution to a problem.
ReplyDeleteWhack on the side of the head is a good resource for a less-structured brainstorm sessions and for projects that are flexible and not on a tight time line. This is my favorite of the websites because of its immediate application to various projects.
ReplyDeleteDebono's Lateral Thinking is much more theoretical and relevant to those wanting to learn more about creativity in general. However, there is a disconnect between this tool and immediate real world application.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is a balance between the first two websites in that it is activity based but also brings in some theory. This is more of a hobby based resource, and might not be relevant to someone interested in innovation and problem solving.
TRIZ Problem-Solving Method is a very methodical approach to creativity and would be a great resource for more process-oriented thinkers and for projects with stricter time lines.
That being said, I think all of them could apply some of their “innovation expertise” to their website layouts and content . . . they are all pretty bad
I can relate best with the whack on the side of the head. There is a tendency that when generating idea most people start with the familiar. The Whack side of the head encourages breaking out of that prison of familiarity by disrupting habitual thought pattern. It forces you to do something different, in a different way and this is a great way to generate ideas. Breaking mental block aids innovation and that certainly what the Whack on the Side of the Head does.
ReplyDeleteI came up with most of my 101 ideas when watching the TV. My normal habit would have been sitting down and trying to concentrate real hard to get the ideas. Decided to try something different by introducing some distraction and noise and it worked.
What is interesting about all of the creativity websites is that they each appeal to different personality profiles and ways of thinking. For myself, being a strong "R" type, I think that the "Whack on the Side of the Head" works best. It's simple, helps you break your routine habits, and opens your eyes to new people, places, and ideas. I used to take the same train home from work every night, and one day I decided to start taking a different one. Not only did I walk by different sights to get there, but once I was there, I realized that there were totally different types of people riding that train. (One train had Wall Street banking types and the other had people who were headed to Williamsburg, Brooklyn and very different types of jobs.) Breaking my routine changed my frame of mind and it put me around people I wouldn't otherwise cross paths with.
ReplyDeleteI think that the TRIZ method would appeal to a distinctly different personality profile, one which is perhaps looking for a more structured, directly-applicable means of generating ideas/solutions. However, for someone who doesn't necessarily think in such a linear, structured format, the TRIZ methodology might seem a bit too complicated.
A caveat… I think it depends on the person.
ReplyDeleteFor me personally, I believe constantly finding new experiences is the best way to be innovative. Whack on the Side of the Head is the closest to creating new experiences. It helps you think in new ways while also giving you more knowledge of how to solve problems. This allows for integration of other solutions into your current knowledge of solving problems. For me, traveling is one of the most effective ways of coming up with new ideas. Watching others be innovative with their unique ideas, mixed with your personal experience helps create interesting hybrid ideas and innovations. If you can’t travel, just walk around in a new area you’ve never visited. And if that doesn’t work, hang out at a bar with a notepad and make sure you remember to write down your ideas.
The major change in the environment is best for coming up with random new ideas or solving problems that you have hit a wall with. Debono's Lateral Thinking is good for… well I’m not sure. I don’t know if you can force creativity. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is good for learning how to do two things at once. Dick Daft said that you are better off being able to focus on a single thing. I agree. I tried to do two things at once, and the only thing I did was two bad things. The TRIZ Problem-Solving Method is good for preparing to become an excellent problem solver, it may not work well for problems that you need to fix in the near term; but should be good for a long life of problem solving.
When addressing the problem of innovation generation, I think anything that helps to forge new idea creation is what really works. For different situations, you can use different approaches which may work better for that specific problem. Using the left side of your brain may work for innovation of particular product dynamics, 'Whack on the side of the head' may work for drastic new corporate change, de Bono's 'Lateral Thinking' would work for a structured entity where outlandish ideas would not be accepted, and structure is required. It all depends on what your problem is, and what may work for that specific problem.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I need something that allows me to generate ideas from a totally different perspective that I cannot create by myself, so 'Whack on the side of the head' was an approach that helped me with my generation of the 101 ideas.