The advantages of virtual brainstorming are often overlooked. Here are several ways that it can give your agency an edge:
1. Introverts and others can often create more effectively — Instead of being immersed in a conference-room environment that can distract or overtake their ability to focus, certain people brainstorm best at home or another spot. Virtual brainstorming can enable introverts to tap into their creative wells more easily in these quieter spaces, increasing the number and quality of ideas generated.
2. Ability to include more participants, regardless of location —Whether it’s a highly valued SEO specialist in Hawaii or a groundbreaking designer in Mexico City, you can now invite them to be part of your brainstorm. By problem solving virtually, you can ensure you don’t miss out on any stand-out ideas from those who live near and far.
3. More ways to share ideas, unencumbered — It can sometimes be hard for everyone to write and draw on a wall or whiteboard in a room when they have an idea without it becoming physically awkward. A digital whiteboard or collaboration tool allows them to type on digital post-it notes or draw with a digital pen — and they don’t have to necessarily wait for each other, which can slow them down. This way of communicating also appeals to those reticent to speak their ideas aloud.
4. Ability to increase the sharing of ideas with anonymity — Many digital collaboration tools provide functionality that allows participants to be anonymous. This feature can relieve the pressure on more junior or newer team members, who might self-censor their ideas because they fear being judged. It can also increase their commitment to producing a large quantity of ideas.
5. More exact expression of ideas — With digital collaboration and virtual brainstorming tools, participants can use much more than colorful sticky notes. They can add photos, GIFs, music links, YouTube videos, etc., to get their ideas across with greater specificity.
6. More accurate and complete content capture — By using a shared online document or digital whiteboard, it’s far less likely that ideas will get lost. And it can help your team decrease administrative tasks. Instead of someone having to take photos of the walls, whiteboards and post-it notes, and then write up a summary of the session, a virtual brainstorm’s digital tools mean all information is immediately recorded and accessible. There’s no need to waste time documenting, and you have a thorough record to look back at.
