What are some effective brainstorming techniques?

One can cultivate the habit of regular brainstorming by setting aside dedicated time for brainstorming sessions, encouraging an open and non-judgmental environment, and promoting divergent thinking. It's also beneficial to keep a record of all ideas, no matter how insignificant they may seem at the time. Regular practice and persistence are key to making brainstorming a habit.

There are several ways to manage the flow of ideas during a brainstorming session. First, set clear guidelines for the session, including a time limit and the expectation that all ideas are welcome. Second, use a facilitator to guide the discussion and ensure everyone has a chance to contribute. Third, use visual aids like whiteboards or sticky notes to capture and organize ideas. Fourth, encourage participants to build on each other's ideas. Finally, after the session, review and categorize the ideas, and decide on next steps.

Brainstorming contributes to innovation in a business by encouraging divergent thinking, which is the process of generating many unique ideas and then converging on the most promising ones. This process allows for a wide range of ideas to be explored, some of which may lead to innovative solutions that would not have been considered otherwise.