Essential issues for brainstorming meetings:

• The company management or an executive can attend brainstorming meetings in general. However, brainstorming meetings do usually not require attendance of a superior, resulting in a substantial relief on your side.

• Make sure that a room for undisturbed meetings is provided.

• Discuss the procedure of the brainstorming meeting with the attendees:

  1. 1.

     One employee should be appointed to moderate the first meeting beforehand.

  2. 2.

     The schedule (cf. page 10) should be adhered to - routine is helpful!

  3. 3.

     Results are documented in writing in the task sheet (cf. page 26).

• Provide all employees with the task sheet. Openness builds trust!

Your tasks for decision-making!

• Specify a time frame:

  The time frame may vary according to the workload and should be oriented towards the demand and conditions of the working area concerned (depending on workload, for instance 90 minutes per month or one hour per week).

• Specify a time frame for brainstorming meetings in advance:

  i.e. for six months. Extensions are possible, but should always be decided upon anew. This ensures that the project character is maintained.

• Financial budget of 100 €/month, for example. The budget can also be accumulated over a longer period.

• Discuss the implementation of ideas.

• Important: Appreciate improvement suggestions and implement as many ideas as possible in the daily routine. This motivates and attracts imitators!

Regarding attendees of the brainstorming meeting:

• Participation in brainstorming meetings is voluntary.

• Brainstorming meetings are held during working hours.

• Limit the size of the group to four to seven employees. This enhances efficiency and reduces costs!

• If the employees show great interest, two variants are possible:

  1. 1.

     The staff selects four to seven colleagues.

  2. 2.

     Participants are selected on a rotational basis every six months or as necessary.