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KnowBrainer 3.0 takes creative problem solving to the next level
By Chuck Frey
If you're looking for a highly portable brainstorming tool that incorporates the best practices of innovation, total quality management and other proven business disciplines, then you ought to take a look at the KnowBrainer version 3.0 from SolutionPeople. This well-designed, easy-to-use fan card deck can help you to generate a wealth of fresh ideas and insights.
KnowBrainer 3.0 is built around the four-phase Accelerated Innovation process developed by Gerald Haman, who also invented the KnowBrainer (click here to read a review of KnowBrainer 2.0, which I reviewed last year). This new version features 30% new and updated content, which incorporates concepts from the world's leading new product design firms, Six Sigma quality tools, new books on marketing and the latest research on innovation process tools.
Whether you're a corporate innovation coach looking for a new tool to turbocharge group brainstorming sessions, or a lone entrepreneur trying to develop new business ideas, you'll find much to like about this new version of the KnowBrainer.
What is the KnowBrainer?
The KnowBrainer is a handheld, fan-deck tool that helps you to think better and faster, using hundreds of proven questions, words, quotes and images for inspiration. You can use it with a blank pad of paper to stimulate your thinking, or you can record your ideas on special "Accelerated Innovation" sheets from SolutionPeople, which are divided into the aforementioned four-step innovation process.
The content of the KnowBrainer 3.0 has been carefully researched and steadily refined by Haman, to stimulate fresh, creative thinking from your brain. The two-sided cards in this fan deck are divided into four sections, corresponding to the four steps of the Accelerated Innovation process (investigate, create, evaluate and activate). Each section contains thought-provoking questions that help to stimulate answers, and a variety of specially-selected words and phrases that serve as idea triggers. Each section of the KnowBrainer also includes severally evocative images to help stimulate the visual part of your imagination.
At a weight of only 5 oz. and an overall size of 2 in. x 4.5 in., the KnowBrainer 3.0 is very portable. Because it fits easily in a purse or a briefcase, you take it just about anywhere and make the most of "wait time" -- such as waiting for a flight at the airport.
No training is required
The design of the KnowBrainer 3.0 is so intuitive that no outside training is needed to use it -- a real advantage. Each section of the card deck contains instruction cards that briefly explain how to use the contents of that phase. Almost anyone can be productive with the KnowBrainer in a matter of minutes. This is a proven tool that is not only well-suited for seasoned innovators, but also for executives who have never used such a creativity tool before.
How can you use the KnowBrainer?
The flexible format of the KnowBrainer enables you to use it in a variety of planning and idea-generation activities, including:
- Developing ideas for new products and services
- Selling your ideas
- Facilitating brainstorming sessions and meetings
- Writing business plans
- Managing projects
- Personal goal-setting and
- Exercising your brain!
Conclusion
The KnowBrainer 3.0 is a valuable upgrade to this terrific idea-generation tool. The effectiveness of a brainstorming tool like the KnowBrainer is almost totally dependent upon the words, questions and images it contains. With 30% new content in version KnowBrainer 3.0, it contains plenty of fresh inspiration. In short, if you already own an earlier version of the KnowBrainer, this new version is well worth your investment. If you haven’t tried the KnowBrainer, you should definitely invest in one – I’m certain you’ll find that it will quickly pay for itself many times over with an attractive “return on ideas!”
The KnowBrainer 3.0 costs $100 and can be ordered from the SolutionPeople web site. Volume discounts are also available. SolutionPeople also offers a one-day Accelerated Innovation seminar that features the KnowBrainer card deck.
Published on 4/14/2004
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