Flip-It! An elegant idea generation exercise
If you are reading this, there are high chances that you either work or aspire to work in a field that requires constant innovation and love working with new ideas. I am in the same boat as you. Both of us would relate to that euphoric moment when an idea just pops into our head and saves the day. Be it working on products, coming up with blog ideas, solving a real life problem – creative ideas just make the life easier.
But more often than not, there are times when new ideas are just hard to come by, especially when there’s a deadline associated with it. The same thoughts keep on presenting themselves dressed in different ways and we need some inspiration to break the cycle.
Through this blog, I wanted to share a simple, elegant yet powerful way to induce lateral thinking and break the creative block – Flip-It!
How it Works
Think of an obvious concept or fact related to the area you are trying to find inspiration in and write it down. Now try to think what something opposite of that would look like. That’s it!
If I break the process into three simple steps, they would be:
Step 1: Ask an obvious question related to the problem area/existing way of doing things
Step 2: Think of what would the opposite of the answer to above question would look like
Step 3: Think of solutions that will render the above flipped answer sensible
Don’t worry, if you don’t get it from the above explanation. Just go through the examples given ahead and you’ll understand how easy it is.
Disclaimer: There’s no guarantee that you’ll find the solution to your problem at the first go, but it’s definitely bound to force you to think laterally and consolidate your thoughts in the form of sometimes hilarious and sometimes brilliant ideas. Whatever be the outcome, if you are like me, the fun of thinking is worth it.
Example #1: Flipping an alarm clock
Looking around while writing this blog, I saw the alarm clock on my desk. What new ideas can we generate if use Flip-It! on an alarm clock. Let’s ask the questions.
Step 1: Ask an obvious question
What does an alarm clock do? It helps people wake up at a specified time.
Step 2: Think of what would be the opposite of above answer
What’s the opposite of waking up? Going to sleep
Step 3: Think of solutions that will provide sense to above answer
Can there be something that helps people go to sleep. Can I achieve that with an alarm clock? Maybe I can add soothing lights and music features to the alarm clock. Whoa! A new product idea. A sleep management device that helps me sleep on time, wake up on time and maintain a healthy sleeping cycle.
Example #2: Flipping a hand dryer
Suppose you are a product manager working with Dyson and you need to think of a product line extension for your Airblade hand dryers. Let’s see what ideas can we come up with Flip-It!
Step 1: Ask an obvious question
What does a hand dryer do? It dries up the users hands
Step 2: Think of what would be the opposite of above answer
What’s the opposite of drying up hands? Make the hands wet
Step 3: Think of solutions that will provide sense to above answer
Why would the users be interested in making their hands wet? Maybe if we add a water spray in addition to the air nozzle… Whoa! I can also add a foam spray. What if there was a product where I just put my hands and it comes out washed and dried. Nice, let’s create an all-in-one hand sanitation device.
Example #3: Flipping a food delivery app
Now, pick up any app on your phone and put it through this exercise and see if we can come up with a new app idea. I am picking up Zomato, a popular restaurant discovery and food delivery app.
Step 1: Ask an obvious question
What does Zomato do? Basically, it helps me get food delivered to my home.
Step 2: Think of what would be the opposite of above answer
What can be the opposite of getting food delivered at my doorstep? Maybe something that takes away food from my home.
Step 3: Think of solutions that will provide sense to above answer
In what situations would I want someone to show up and take away food from me? Maybe it can be done to give away leftover or fresh food parcels for charity, which many people already do occasionally. If an easier way is made available, they might do it even more often. Idea! Food delivery services can add a feature for users where any delivery boy while delivering food would also pick up any leftover food and drop it off at a designated zone where anyone in need can pick up the food.
Note: Notice how the end result after using Flip-It! exercise is not a competing or opposite product, but rather an extension to the existing product capabilities.
Closing Comments
I know that the examples that I have picked up are quite product centric (maybe because that’s what I do professionally), but I apply this exercise across a lot of situations. What to gift to my wife? What information to include on my resume? What’s the meaning of life! Sometimes I get really good answers, sometimes a good laugh. But there’s no doubt that the exercise forces you to think laterally and build your creative muscles. So go on, give it a try.
I would really appreciate if you could share some examples of how you applied it in a real life situation. Alternatively, you can suggest me some problems and I’ll be happy to share how I would apply the steps to come up with new ideas. Happy Thinking!
