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Another Technique for Generating Ideas

This post introduces another tool you can use to generate ideas for your nonprofit. I know you have many problems/issues and challenges and opportunities related nonprofit management, marketing, and strategy, so this post offers a little bit of help.

So, the tool of the day is called a “stratal” for no specific reason. The first step in using a stratal is to write down a topic to think about. This could be something broad, like fundraising, or something specific like getting in-kind contributions from area businesses.

I’ll go with the latter topic for the sake of discussion. I start my session by just writing down the subject. Below the subject I write down exactly five thoughts on the subject. There is no need to be comprehensive or rational about this list. But, the list must contain complete statements and not just single words.

Here’s what I come up with:

SOLICITING IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AREA BUSINESSES

1. Go around and talk to managers
2. Send letters to owners
3. Use a mailing list
4. Cold call and ask if I can send information
5. Usually done for inexpensive products or services, like chips and soda

The next step is to look at each statement to see what thoughts occur.
Take a few minutes to study the list and see if you come up with a good idea.

Done?

Here’s what I get…

From #5 I got the idea to ask for something expensive, something that would draw peoples’ attention. Maybe something expensive could be leased, in exchange for some discreet advertising by the nonprofit.
Thought #1 makes me think of going to networking events and passing out cards to anyone whose business might make a good partner. Realistically, not all business and nonprofit partnerships are going to make sense.
The proper use of stratals, and many other thinking tools, is described in more detail in Serious Creativity by Edward De Bono.
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