Focus group or how it's harder on your own

Alone is harder. Anytime.

Don't just search alone. Read on for a simple method on how to get valuable ideas for a challenge in your business, your workplace or even your personal life.

The method is called focus group. I've heard other names, but that's how I use it, that's how I promote it. Besides, I've also called it, for me, my soul people :)

 

How it happens:

1. You have a challenge. A thought. An idea, a problem you can't seem to find a solution to.

2. Choose 3 - 5 people you trust who ideally are not from the same field as you. But most importantly, trust them. Because you will tell them something important to you. It doesn't always have to be the same people.

3. Invite them to join you for a fixed meeting - no more than an hour. But don't exceed the time you announce. If you invite them by phone, avoid telling them the subject of the discussion over the phone.

4. You manage the discussion. You present the problem and you tell them what you are looking for - ideas, solutions, a SWOT analysis or not, you decide.

5. Tell them not to interrupt each other because it's not a conversation. It's brainstorming, gathering ideas and at this stage it's all good!

6. Write down all the ideas. You will decide which ones remain viable and which ones don't, but the point of the technique is to generate ideas you wouldn't have thought of on your own.

7. The difference between the essence of focus group and brainstorming is that you are available to do the same for them. Or for others.

 

Alone is harder. Anytime.