N-of-8 goes beyond brainstorming

Here are some ways an effective N-of-8 session goes beyond brainstorming.

Brainstorming produces "flashes of insight" from your team, but N-of-8 provide a method to capture and build upon them. Those unique little thought-germs that have the potential need to be expanded into full-blown concepts or initiatives that really make a difference.

Brainstorming is often just another meeting, a scheduled time slot during which people sit robotically ticking off ideas like agenda items.  Conversely, N-of-8 can function as a community for thinking and a change laboratory.  It can connect individuals and their ideas in a supportive thinking environment.

Brainstorming often becomes a competition for who can throw out the most ideas or even the craziest ideas.  During an N-of-8, participants are rewarded for building upon each other’s thoughts, instead of competing with them. 

(Click on the photo above to enlarge the table.)