What are the best brainstorming techniques for developing a creative strategy in Corporate Communications?

For generating a creative corporate strategy defining the problem and objetive are essential, but also conducting a SWOT analysis. Once done you will be able to detect possible white spaces to conquer. For the brainstorming session the matrix "How Now Wow" is key as it allows to address and frame the best results where "How" responds to the barriers that you face to develop original and complicated ideas, "Now" are ideas easy to implement at the moment and "Wow" are ideas that have not been thought before and are easy to put in place.

Adding a personal experience here, research and analysis were key in a campaign I led targeting a niche demographic. We used a mix of market research and social listening tools to understand the preferences and pain points of this group. This informed our messaging and media strategy, leading to a 20% increase in engagement. This step is often overlooked but is fundamental to ensuring that your strategy is data-driven and resonates with your audience.

There's a fair bit of evidence out there that suggests that diversity improves innovation - and that's true with brainstorming too. The less that contributors think alike, the greater the range of inputs you're likely to generate.

I would like to add that Implementing techniques such as mind mapping and the SCAMPER one can significantly enhance the development of a creative strategy in Corporate Communications. Mind mapping encourages the visualization of ideas and their connections, fostering a free flow of thoughts that can lead to innovative solutions. Meanwhile, the SCAMPER technique prompts teams to systematically explore various aspects of a problem or idea by considering substitutes, combinations, adaptations, modifications, putting to other uses, eliminating, and rearranging elements of existing strategies. These techniques stimulate creative thinking, helping to uncover unique insights to effectively communicate your corporate message.

Para reunir uma equipe em brainstorm, é necessário direcionamento. Apesar de todas as ideias serem bem-vindas, elas precisam estar guiadas de alguma forma. Uma boa estratégia é ter um documento pré-brainstorm, onde esteja claro o objetivo, o desafio do projeto, o contexto do desafio, as limitações para o projeto (seja tempo, dinheiro ou disponibilidade de equipe), os resultados que se pretende alcançar com o projeto e uma inspiração criativa, para estimular a equipe: pode ser uma música, uma campanha bem sucedida, uma frase de impacto, uma imagem, um quadro de inspirações ou até um exemplo do que a empresa quer evitar. Assim, o brainstorm fica mais produtivo e as ideias que surgem vêm melhor direcionadas e são melhor aproveitadas.

Start with a classic technique - the mind map. It's like sketching out your thoughts. Another is the 'Six Thinking Hats,' where each hat represents a different perspective. It's like trying on different glasses to see things from various angles. Then there's 'SWOT analysis,' where you identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It's like examining your plot of land for potential. Finally, try the 'Random Word' technique, where you pick a word and brainstorm ideas around it. It's like sprinkling magic seeds and seeing what grows. Mix and match these techniques to cultivate a rich harvest of creative strategies for corporate communications.