Brainstorming

A good way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas from which to choose! 

1. Brainstorming is a Creativity Supertool and also a team sport ... support your team members!
2. No criticism ... no "devil's advocates" allowed!
3. Anything goes … wild, crazy, impractical, ingenious ideas encouraged!
4. Go for quantity, not quality, of ideas!
5. All ideas encouraged!
6. Piggyback, improve, combine ideas ... be an "angel advocate"!
7. Record all ideas so nothing gets lost!
8. Filter ideas later, not during the brainstorming session!
9. Set a time limit for the session, then stick to it!

Variation ... brainwriting: the general process is that, in a group, ideas are recorded by each individual who thought of them ... they are then passed on to the next person who uses them as a trigger for their own ideas.

Entrepreneur's Creed

1. Do what gives you energy ... have fun!
2. Figure out what can go right and make it happen.
3. Say "can do" rather than "cannot" or "maybe."
4. Illegitimi non carforundum: tenacity and creativity will triumph.
5. Anything is possible if you believe you can do it.
6. If you don't know it can't be done, then you'll go ahead and do it.
7. The cup is half-full, not half-empty.
8. Be dissatisfied with the way things are, and look for improvement.
9. Do things differently.
10. Don't take a risk if you don't have to ... but take a calculated risk if it's the right opportunity for you.

[Thank you, Jeffry A. Timmons and Stephan Spinelli]

Venture Mentor Roles

 Experienced mentors can help innovators and entrepreneurs effectively and efficiently move their venture concept through the research, ideation, test, and planning stages to resourcing, launch, stability, sustainability, and growth. The role of a new business venture development team mentor is wide-ranging:

1. Mentor: experienced and trusted adviser (typically an unpaid, voluntary, part-time role)
2. Adviser: an expert willing to share their knowledge and opinions
3. Business Plan Editor: a mentor is best used in an editor role, rather than a writer
4. Voice of the Customer: keeps a light on the customer pain-pleasure spectrum
5. Voice of the Competition: ignoring the competition is never a good strategy, and there is always competition (alternatives, substitutes, replacements)
6. Voice of the Stakeholders: everyone involved with the venture must win
7. Voice of the Team Members: a balanced team is a productive team
8. Domain Expert: teaching from education and experience
9. Soothsayer: foresees the future based on experiences from the past
10. Angel Advocate: supports the team and venture, internally and externally
11. Consultant: professional expert advice (usually compensated to perform specific tasks)
12. Moderator: arbitrator, mediator
13. Coach: helps the team iterate and pivot as needed
14. Board Member, Director (not an ordinary role): helps govern the affairs of an organization
15. Teacher: instructor, guide
16. Innovation Stimulator: innovation is a continuing journey, not a destination
17. Collaborator: partner with the venture team
18. Friend: personal confidante and sounding board
19. Tool Technician: helping the team use the right tool at the right time for the right purpose
20. DXpedition Tour Guide: Discover, Define, Design, Develop, Deploy