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Brand New Workplace Rules for Small Businesses

Brand New Workplace Rules for Small Businesses

Entering the world of business meant becoming part of an environment constantly in a state of flux. Solutions that worked this year, might not be as feasible the next and what some might see as a preposterous idea might become the greatest one in a short span of time.

And over the last two years, the world experienced what experts view as one of the most momentous shift in the SMB ecosystem. By the end of 2016, over 472 million entrepreneurs can be found worldwide and annually, a total of 305 million startups are built. Angel investors, startup accelerators and incubators help these budding companies thrive.

Digging a little deeper, a major contributor to these changes is the new technology we now have. It has radically changed the way we work and humankind welcomed it with open arms – resulting to a new set of workplace rules for businesses in reaching success.

New Ways of Doing Business

The ever-changing environment of the market pushed the majority to implement new strategies in doing business.

Unlike before when SMB owners base majority of their decision making to their ‘gut feeling’ and only the big players get to access tools for business analytics, the emergence of innovative business software models made it easier for budding candidates to obtain market research, future projection and other cost effectiveness studies.

By using good data and research, owners gain a great advantage against their competitors. And though admittedly, having a hold of such information can guide them to success, another crucial quality that they must possess is adaptability.

Today’s market coerces enterprises to be fluid. Creating a system and standing by it in the hopes of producing results bring unwanted risks. The constant changes brought upon by several other factors have led the world of business become Darwinian. No one knows what kind of trend will rise the next day or whether when a new competitor will come.

In the US alone, hundreds of stores close down every year and thousands of jobs diminish. These large retail stores, despite of having consultants and analysts, still fail. The ones who adapt easily guarantee survival in today’s market.

New Workplace Rules

The strategies businesses are using to remain relevant to the industry aren’t the only one’s undergoing constant change. Our modern private offices have become something else entirely. One major crucial factor to this is the growing number of employees opting for remote working or telecommuting.

Though constantly going under scrutiny from academics and other agencies, people simply can’t ignore the benefits it brings to their respective lives. And in order for companies to stay competitive in terms of talent recruitment, it’s a must that they give enough leeway to their respective workforce to have flexible working hours.

Larger enterprises are now acquiring coworking space memberships for some of their employees. These unique shared offices allow small teams and individuals to have more control of their workday. Giving them 24/7 access to fully-fitted workspaces, they get to choose when their day starts and ends without sacrificing their utmost productivity.

This new way of working is much more beneficial to small businesses. It helps them cut operational costs, keeps their teams happier by improving their respective work-life balance and expands workplace rules, therefore, presenting them with brand new opportunities.

In today’s world of business, the strongest no longer dominate. Instead, those who are flexible enough to adapt win the game.

See the magic of fluidity with Sales Rain and talk to us today!

Searching for Style and Substance in Coworking Spaces

Searching for Style and Substance in Coworking Spaces

The competition among coworking spaces is tight and searching for the perfect workspace can be a daunting task.

Office space providers come up with the most unique ways to ‘wow’ its members from an airy loft down to outdoor bars – impeccable interior design have become a detrimental factor in winning over prospect members.

And though admittedly, an individual’s working environment plays a significant role in their productivity, it’s also important to make sure that they have all the technical tools needed in order to guarantee the efficiency of one’s work day. More than anything else, your workplace should be able to help you accomplish more tasks rather than just inspiring you with its aesthetic.

In order to know whether a shared office carries both the style and substance needed for a happier work life, there are specific factors to remember in choosing your shared office.

Branding Matters

Each space around the world carry their own identity, with a specific set of values or culture that speaks to a segmented audience. Certain workplaces are focused only on one specific industry and serve to their distinct needs. Hence, it’s only apt to pick one that matches your personality and can also serve the needs of your business.

Sancar Ayalp, managing partner of NYC-based The Farm Coworking, said in an article from New Worker that they have a clear persona for their community. This is so that they can tailor everything to address the needs of their members.

And as an average person spends 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime, it’s only apt to pick one that matches your personality. Look for providers that can serve the needs of your business and could possibly help it grow. Check its location, demographic and allot a time to visit it to get a feel of the community and the vibe of the space in general.

Searching for Event Schedules

Coworking spaces pride themselves in encouraging collaboration amongst its members. A great deal of them will use their strong sense of community as a way to market membership but a qualitative measurement that they really do take it seriously is by searching for company hosted events. Your chosen provider should have a balanced number of informative events, such as workshops or talks and community-centered ones like after-work drinks, game nights and even exercise classes, both in their upcoming and past events calendar. These type of occasions can spearhead collaborations among members from different industries and create relationships from unlikely friends.

Evaluate The Benefits

As mentioned earlier, it’s detrimental to evaluate how you can use the space to the benefit of your business – and we’re not just discussing free coffee or printing. Certain partnerships with companies related to your field can be of big help. Moreover, there’s also opportunities of expanding your professional network and even chances of mentorship. Though these factors may vary, it’s helpful to remember these indicators to ensure that the resources you have will increase as you stay.

Oversee The Facilities

And more than anything else, make sure to check out the facilities that they offer. Check the layout of their office and see whether the seating arrangement would work to your liking. Ensure that they have everything you need in order to have a productive day because weighing the practicality and aesthetics of a shared office allows you to pick the best workplace for you. Eager to see what a coworking space with both style and substance looks like and book a tour with us today!

Understanding Serendipity, a Fortunate Happenstance

Understanding Serendipity, A Fortunate Happenstance

In the 2001 American romantic comedy film Serendipity, two strangers are brought together by fate in New York City. Jonathan Trager and Sara Thomas’ story starts at Bloomingdale as they end up buying the same pair of black cashmere gloves. Though both parties are in individual relationships, the feeling of mutual attraction leads them to a restaurant called Serendipity 3. And as the two go their separate ways, fate guides them back together. The two then decides to test where it would lead them, years later.

The very idea of a greater force stringing together unplanned, independent circumstances and situations to bring something great sounds a lot like fairytale to most of us. On certain days, when the traffic is a little less awful or when you got the last stock of the pretty shirt you saw at the mall – serendipity happens to us at least once. Just like luck, its context is vague yet we all believe in its power every now and then.

Serendipity, A Fortunate Happenstance

New York Times contributor Pagan Kennedy wrote an opinion piece called “How to Cultivate the Art of Serendipity” asking for further research on the subject. She firmly believed that it’s more of a talent of finding what we’re not looking for. She further discusses her concept by saying that the original meaning of the word is very far from what we only assume as pure ‘dumb luck’. In its inception, it’s a talent of making discoveries by accident and several scientist have already conducted tests on the originator’s theory.

Kennedy says that by expanding the existing available literature on serendipity, we may be able to create unexpected discoveries in the chemistry lab, the newsroom and even in business. She suggests that by observing and documenting these encounters, we might have a systematic understanding on how it all works and how we can measure it.

By studying its nature, businesses around the world would see that serendipity can be responsible for several innovation, breakthrough discoveries and other enticing outcomes.

A New Business Model

Serendipity seemed to play an important role in today’s business industry and the recent years allowed us to witness a handful of attempts in institutionalizing this delicate phenomenon. Those who are one step ahead have articulated how it took place and have created environments that can help cultivate it.

In a Deskmag article, coworking leader Angel Kwiatkowski discussed a book entitled ‘The Serendipity Machine: A Disruptive Business Model for Society 3.0.’ written by Avans University professor for autonomy in art and design, Sebastian Olma. According to her, in the book, Olma discusses how companies can reinvent their culture to become serendipity machines – redesigning their workspaces to become places that are prone to these valuable encounters.

Kwiatkowski says that in essence, the author is encouraging businesses to become more like coworking spaces. She says that upon joining, you instantly become part of a community. By simply taking a seat, your very first interaction begins; people ask your name and what you do. Some even invite you to lunch and when the community manager says that someone is in need of the expertise you happen to offer, you end up with a new gig.

These scenarios aren’t just imaginary instances, it’s a common phenomenon in coworking spaces everywhere. These are the kind of accidents that lead to abundance, emotionally, professionally and often, financially.

And though Olma claims that fixed spaces are flawed, he claims that the level of potential serendipity is limited to the number of members, however, Kwiatkowski says otherwise. Coworking communities are a mere one organism in a large ecosystem, constantly improving for the good of everyone. They don’t isolate themselves from the rest of the world but rather encourages individuals to collaborate with one another.

By the end of the movie, Jonathan and Sara ends up in Central Park ice rink where they went during the evening that they first met with the pair of cashmere gloves. For the first time, in a long time, they formally introduced themselves to one another.

The Third Place, a Modern Day Community Builder

The Third Place, a Modern Day Community Builder

American urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg said in his award winning book entitled The Great Good Place; humans have three main places they go to in their whole life and as individuals, they should see to it that they spend a balanced amount of time in those environments.

Oldenburg describes the first place as our home or our foundation. Our workplace as the second one and the third place being a space distinct for socializing with like-minded peers. In his book, he emphasizes its importance and how it could help build communities in neighborhoods and even to organizations.

Today’s generation of urban planners and designers now utilize it in strengthening humankind’s sense of community.

The Third Place

At first glance, Oldenburg’s description of the third place seemed vague. He coined the term to define a social surrounding separate from the two usual social condition of the home and the workplace. They are the “anchors” of community life that helps foster broader interaction among individuals.

The book suggested specific hallmarks that makes a “true third place”. Oldenburg says that first and foremost, it should be free or inexpensive. Food and drinks are important, though not essential. Its location needs to be highly accessible or proximate for many at the very least. Its vibe should be welcoming and comforting.

Fellow scholars have summarized his view of third places as a neutral ground wherein occupants are not tied down to the area and can go whenever they please. It puts no significance to an individual’s status in a society. Their economic or social standing does not matter in these environments. Its main focus of activity is playful and happy interaction although it’s not required to be the only activity. It is readily accessible to everyone and can accommodate their needs.

Oldenburg suggested that its existence is a must for a healthy life. Moreover, he advocated that it brings several important social values by discussing its historical role to the American Revolution.

Several suburban developments are now using ‘third places’ to address the deterioration of the American community.  As a result, office space providers saw an opportunity for a new kind of workplace that can reframe interpersonal interactions of employees.

Modern Offices

The annual Staples Advantage Workplace index provides an overview of the latest workplace trends and sentiments from several business decision makers and employees from both US and Canada.

Last year’s presentation highlighted the increasing number of workers facing longer hours; resulting to an augmented feeling of stress and being tied to their desks. More and more professionals are looking for ways to fight dullness in the office while a handful of them are moving to healthier spaces that can provide them with a new environment.

The index also showcased a growing demand for designated collaboration spaces and public spaces. And it’s not only coming from the younger generation, majority of the respondents that they find this feature most interesting in an office.

The concept of third places have become the most common solution to the predicaments today’s workplace is facing. And the rise of the ever popular shared offices and coworking spaces, is living proof of the need for a middle ground where work and casual meaningful interaction meets.

These unorthodox work areas take pride in the community they curate among like-minded individuals. Members are gratified with the connections they make and the work that they do. And this alone isn’t just coming from their individual opinions and reactions, surveys from around the globe back this up with statistical figures; clearly strengthening Oldenburg’s claims.

And though admittedly, third places won’t solve all of the problems present in today’s modern offices, we also can’t ignore the rewards it has provided us with. Moreover, it certainly meets the needs of the diverse multi-generation labor force.

By coming up with the appropriate flexible layout for your own team, it can be of value to the business. Lastly, as Oldenburg said in the book, it breaks down all the barriers between people and creates a positive public sphere that anyone of stature can enjoy.

Who knows, it can just be what your team needs. Talk to us today and get a sneak peek of a true third place.

Don't Pick One, You Have The Power To Choose Both

Don’t Pick One, You Have The Power to Choose Both

Don't Pick One, You Have The Power to Choose Both

Resisting mob mentality is hard.

More often than not, people get easily swept by the latest trend taking over the internet. Be it the newest challenge or a song that have gone viral. People consciously follow them religiously and those who say they don’t, subconsciously stays in touch.

It’s the prevailing mindset of everyone particularly in terms of modern technology. A year after the much-awaited release of Apple’s Iphone 6, fanatics immediately dropped them when announcements for the newest model made its rounds. It is easy for society to simply drop the old ones to make room for the new ones.

And though it’s hard to believe, sometimes, opting for what’s new won’t go the way we want it to. Instead, finding a way to utilize both the old and new is the best way to go. One great example of this principle would be during the peak of electronic books or e-books in the market.

When electronic reading mediums such as Kindle was introduced to the public, the printing industry was put in danger. Between the years 2008 and 2010 alone, the sales of e-books escalated to 1,260 percent causing a few print booksellers to into bankruptcy. It seemed then that the time that print books is almost over.

But much to the surprise of many, instead of going to an upwards trajectory, e-book sales began to decrease. In the first few months of 2015, it already fell by 10 percent. All the while, the American Booksellers Association expanded to 1,712 member stores in almost 2,227 locations within the same year from 1,410 in 1,660 locations five years earlier.

The Power to Choose Both

Amidst the numerous publications who have gone digital, one company made the conscious decision to choose both.

Penguin Random House decide to expand and update its warehouses as well as speed up the distribution of its books by investing nearly $100 million on the shift from their traditional operations. Some have traced back the inversion to print to the escalating prices of e-book while there are some who said that a handful of bookworms who still missed the feeling of a heavy paperback in their hands. Other buyers have said that enthusiasts have found a way to utilize both e-books and actual books.

In the end, consumers created a middle ground for both traditional and modern tool to contribute to the overall pleasure of reading.

By knowing what both sides have to offer to the situation at hand, we get a better understanding of how the Both/And principle could fit to certain circumstances. Kindle may never replace the feeling of an actual paperback, at the same time, books can never recreate the immediate assistance of Kindle’s dictionary system. Both the old and the new carries distinct individual strengths, hence, having the option to choose both isn’t a bad idea after all.

There are several other existing examples that fortifies the advantages of the principle to always choose both available options. There’s the commercial real estate market who have taken use of it to their advantage.

The innate nature of the world of business to be in constant state of flux have rendered office space providers to become innovative and adaptive to the passing trends of the industry. As modern technology made it much easier for humankind to work anywhere they want, more and more people are turning away from traditional work areas. Pioneers of the new movement found a way to instill the need for an actual office to the newer needs of professionals. Serviced offices such as coworking spaces and private offices made sure that the new generation of startups remained true to the tradition of having their own headquarters. Though they started catering to most remote workers of today, they still managed to aid the needs of the older members of the workforce.

Out with The Old, In with The New: Welcoming Corpoworking

Out With The Old, In With The New: Welcoming Corpoworking

Coworking spaces gained its popularity from teleworkers, digital nomads and freelancers from around the world. With over 11,300 spaces worldwide and over 835,000 members – it’s safe to say that the industry is keeping an open mind to the ever-changing modern workplaces of today.

And due to the undeniable success of the movement, traditional companies are starting to look into these open spaces despite of the disagreements it garnered from experts. Intrigued by its increasing growth and the several benefits it has among its members, these large businesses are wondering what significant change it can bring to the table.

Providers are also seeking a way to tap into this idle capacity and invite them over to join their growing community. As a result, they have implemented a new way of convincing executives to give room for innovation and a new working experience for their employees.

Corpoworking: Corporate Working

Cowork.io defined Corpoworking as the combination of corporate business and coworking. A coworking space inside or outside the premises of the company, available to the use of employees aiming to carry out their usual tasks in a new environment and even external visitors.

The idea doesn’t veer too far away from the original movement except for the specific modifications done in order to meet the standards of the company. There’s still evident presence of community and flexibility at its heart, which showcases its classic values. Often done as a way to experiment with new conditions, it allows them to experience unprecedented flexibility modeled on the success of its predecessor.

Still, the question remains among several other companies, what makes it worth investing?

The Role of Workspaces

Over the recent years, new technologies and the arrival of the younger generations in the labor market created a significant change in the traditional fixed offices we have had for years. Experts are also accentuating the effect work areas have in a person’s overall well-being. Today’s modern office have now become a source of efficiency, collaboration and employer brand.

Productivity is seen as one of the factors easily affected by the layout and design of one room. Leaders are starting to understand the importance of having an innovative workspace that increases an individual’s output and performance. They are starting to utilize this concept to their advantage by implementing open spaces and high-rise office desks.

More and more companies are also transitioning from individual work to collaborative work. Therefore requiring them to find places that allows people to connect freely with one another. Finding the appropriate arrangement for your team is a prerequisite to collaboration. With this in mind, spontaneous interactions that could generate creative ideas can now take place almost anywhere – instead of it happening in one place.

Company culture and employer brand is also strengthened when enterprises go the extra mile in figuring out the latest news in mobility at work. According to a global survey conducted with over 7,6000 office workers from 16 different countries, office layout affects an individual’s company choice. Organizations are making the effort to create spaces for relaxation and entertainment in promoting their thoughtfulness towards the well-being of their employees.

Pioneers of the coworking movement believed in the significance of one’s surrounding environment and workplace flexibility. With the help of today’s technology, they are breaking down the cubicles and walls that once separated us; one space at a time. Join us as we welcome the emerging trend of corpoworking!

The Science Behind Coffee Shop Attraction

The Science Behind Coffee Shop Attraction

Whether you like coffee or not, we all have to admit that at some point in our lives, we stayed in a coffee shop. Either alone or with a friend, we all have splurged on a cup of latte or frappe and maybe a slice of cake.

Coffee shops around the world are frequented by different types of people. Some have made it a habit to drop by one each morning for their daily caffeine supply or for a quick breakfast. Some visit to meet old friends for some catching up. And there are those who simply want to sit down and get some work done.

From students down to freelancers, the amount of people who turn them into their own personal offices is quite overwhelming. But driving the “coffice” global phenomenon is a scientific explanation why certain individuals love working in different environments.

Researchers from around the world conducted several studies to find out the science behind coffee shop attraction.

Science Explains

Researchers from the University of Chicago says that it starts with background noise. Their study on the correlation between noise distraction and creativity compared the effectiveness of thinking with various levels of background noise. Examining over 300 people, results showed that people hearing moderate ambient noise scored higher on tests and have been rated as more creative by their peers. According to them, moderate levels of ambient noise activates abstract cognition by inducing difficulty in processing. As a result, people’s creative performance is enhanced.

Moderate doses of distraction forces the mind to become more creative. Hence, busy coffee shops are the ideal place to work in because of the noticeable hustle and bustle.

Another factor that attracts people is the walk that they will be doing from their home to the nearest shop. The activity alone can help get your creative juices flowing. A study from Stanford on the positive effect walking has on one’s creative thinking reported that after conducting four experiments, participants’ creative output increased by 60 percent after a stroll – coming up with unique ideas appropriate to the situation given to them.

To put it simply, any kind of increased stimulus could be good to the brain. Scientists from the University of California says that changing what a person sees, smells, feels and hears can increase their creativity. Chances of coming up with better ideas are higher and concentration on tasks will be improved.

A change of scenery brings a lot to the table, this is further supported by the strong presence of coffee shop attraction to modern day workers, but are these places really that effective?

The Coffee Shop Attraction Contradictory

Concrete proof have already been laid out before us; the spontaneous change of workspace location can result to fresh ideas but it’s also important to take into consideration the amount of factors present contradicting the coffee shop attraction.

One strong predicament is the unreliable internet connection. The public wifi cannot guarantee its visitors secured connectivity. And though there’s the option of paying for it, the chances of it being slow and spotty is still high.

The large volume of strangers surrounding you increases the inherent dangers of theft. Paying no attention to your belongings, even for a split second, is unsafe. Moreover, there’s the social disruptions they bring and the logistical problems of finding the perfect spot.

But despite of the drawbacks, patrons now have the option of getting their daily dose of caffeine while increasing efficiency in one place without over spending too much.

Cafes, But Better

Integrating the vibe of a home and the ambiance of a café, coworking spaces are made for professionals and even students who wants to work in a different environment.

Emphasizing on the importance of collaboration and building community, its open layout allows members to interact with one another in the most spontaneous areas of the office. From the communal areas that you share with the rest of the group to private offices and desks for those in need of privacy.

These modern offices offer anything an employee could want and need for a healthier work day – from free coffee down to workshops and events that help hone their skills.

Government Extends Support to Coworking in Southeast Asia

Government Extends Support to Coworking in Southeast Asia

Experts have already said it; the movement of coworking is no longer a fad but rather, a new way of working and living.

It has proved itself to be a lasting trend that drives major changes in the work market today. Not only is it disrupting the traditional standards of work in both US and Europe, there have also been a significant spike found in Southeast Asia.

Providers have discovered qualities unique to the region that allowed them to expand rapidly. And in order to understand how the movement managed to thrive in the area, it’s important to know why and how the locality have become drawn into these unorthodox offices.

Coworking in Context

The high growth rate of the economy in Southeast Asia paved the way for a community of startups and freelancers to flourish. As a result, the demand for affordable workspaces increased.

Pioneers of the movement found their niche in the region by using its unique need for diversity in the workforce to their advantage. Coworking spaces that offer regional access to cities such as Bangkok, Singapore and Manila have made it easier for members to expand their network with collaboration. Moreover, tapping into the distinct talent pool across different countries is now easier because entrepreneurs can now access specific expertise found in various locations.

Another driving force behind its success is the highly fragmented market present in the area. Businesses aiming to penetrate a new region presumes that there are several distinct challenges they are bound to encounter in each market segment. Hence, it’s only apt that they build a local team that would help them understand the landscape of each country, giving them a competitive edge.

Due to the aforementioned impositions and unique circumstances brought upon by the sector’s economy, more and more coworking spaces have opened in the recent years. Singapore alone boasts an estimated of 53 spaces from having a single one back in 2009. Vietnam has more than 50 given that the movement arrived in the country last 2012 and cities like Manila are attracting a slew of global players.

Other than the nature of its economy, there are many aspects that play a major role in the long term success of the aforementioned segment.

Government Support in Southeast Asia

Providing members with more than just the bare necessities of an office, the community they curate serves as a universal support system that helps budding startups grow and develop by creating a platform for them to connect with one another.

As a result, Southeast Asian governments view the movement as a new strategic tool that can encourage entrepreneurship within the population. Several countries in Southeast Asia have already started implementing policies that support coworking spaces. For one, members of the governing body of Vietnam are creating shared offices for small companies as one of their initiatives in transforming the country into a startup nation by the year 2020. Indonesia is taking an active part in a wider global initiative created for promoting entrepreneurship among developing countries; the Global Entrepreneurship Program Indonesia or GEPI which offers coworking spaces for startups that are still in its early-stage.

Malacañang Starts First Day of Shoot in Sales Rain’s Ortigas Site

 

Malacañang Starts First Day of Shoot in Sales Rain's Ortigas Site

First day of shooting for Malacañang’s upcoming web series has commenced in Sales Rain’s Antel Global Corporate Center office last January 15.

Read more

A UK Initiative in Mastering The Art of Brainstorming

A UK Initiative in Mastering The Art Of Brainstorming

July 2014, the Virgin Media Business invited 30 of United Kingdom’s hottest startups, along with several other industry leaders for a ride to the London Eye as they debate the future of six key sectors of the economy – media and entertainment, food, fashion and beauty, social enterprise, retail and healthcare.

Entitled 30:30 Vision, the event served as a wide brainstorming session on the future of UK business. English business magnate and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson said in a statement that collaboration between businesses of all sizes could be the key to succeeding in the 21st century. He further adds that large companies can learn a thing or two about innovation from startups.

Sir Branson is one of the many entrepreneurs who believed in the power of brainstorming and the ideas that can be produced by working together.

Collaborating Great Minds

DeskMag defines Brainstorming as a widely-used, powerful tool for creative problem solving that breaks away from the rigid, process-driven thinking. It surpasses barriers between members of the team and lets them forget their fear of failure as it gives them the freedom of coming up with as many ideas as they can. Though it disregards the viability of each proposal, the process itself can help improve them into something that is effective and useful.

But the process itself is not easily achieved in traditional private offices. Cubicles hindered employees from casually interacting with one another to generate fresh and creative ideas. And when several designers and experts saw the demand for collaborative work areas, the movement of coworking spaces emerged.

Now, thousands of these unique open-plan designed headquarters are found around the world – each one founded by community and collaboration. And though its layout made a great contribution in creating a platform for individuals to work together, there are certain things to take into consideration and lessons to remember before starting your first brainstorming session.

It’s vital to be prepared and organized so that you and your team can get the most out of your time.

The Mastery of Creative Brainstorming

Psychologist Keith Sawyers states in an article from The New Yorker that there are decades of scientific research consistently showcasing brainstorming groups producing fewer ideas that the number produced by individuals who would work alone and later share their suggestions.

DeskMag recommends that instead of forcing employees to generate new concepts or design during a session, set a specific goal – for example, request them to come up with 10 new ways you can attract more clients. After doing so, give them enough time to reflect individually before sharing their proposition with the rest of the team.

Creativity is often a process that cannot be restricted with time and when an existing idea is evolved and expanded into a viable solution, it gives your discussion purpose and structure.

There is a lot of discussion whether criticism should be present during a brainstorming process or not. Fast Company’s Cliff Kang says that it plays an important role in the said activity while some experts dissent this idea.

In hindsight, both viewpoints are somewhat true. Constructive criticism can refine an idea by identifying its weak areas and highlighting problems that can arise all the while attacking a suggestion can lead to discouraged participants. Proscribing it can encourage your members to openly share their thoughts but utilizing it as a tool for creating feasible solutions may produce great results.

And to ensure structure and focus in the set topic, have a designated moderator that can monitor the direction of the talk. The assigned individual can take notes and create a summary of the session as a whole. By doing this, the time and effort you invested in brainstorming would come to fruition. Integrate these new concepts into your workflow and see which would of them would work.

In an article he personally wrote entitled ‘Looking at the future of business with 30:30 Vision’, Sir Branson clarifies that the event is by no means a competition amongst the participants but instead aims to encourage collaboration between our future leaders. He adds “If we put our heads together, share our resources and stimulate innovation, the seemingly inconceivable can not only become a possibility, but a reality.”

With the emergence of shared offices such as coworking spaces, it’s only apt that we prepare ourselves for one big brainstorming session.

Have an idea you’ve been dying to share with anyone? Hit us up and let’s talk about it!