Often people have great ideas and have no opportunity to express them. Brainstorming can help. For effective brainstorming sessions:

1. Invite everyone, especially new people. Each person is different. New people are not stuck in “We’ve always done it that way!” Have varied levels, that don’t report to each other, in the same room. A V.P. and a receptionist have different perspectives, and both can be helpful.
2. Keep the group small. Hold multiple meetings if you need to because you don’t want more than 10 people. This allows people to feed off each other and keep their energy high.
3. Hold the meetings in the morning and in the middle of the week. People are usually more alert and can focus on the subject. On Mondays and Fridays, people are either thinking about the last weekend or the upcoming one.
4. Allow no criticism of ideas. It is better to have too many than too few ideas and if someone thinks their idea was criticized, they will shut down and not contribute.
5. Let people know what the subject will be before they arrive. Some people need to think before they talk and by having advance notice, their mind can start working on ideas before the meeting even begins.
6. Hire a facilitator. People are more honest when the meeting is run by an outside facilitator who is more tuned into what is said, rather than who said what!