Snacks, a Key to Innovation
Moonshot holds a monthly event entitled Rotation Week in which we invite employees from all parts of the agency to come make with us. It’s four straight days dedicated to design thinking and rapid prototyping.
We’ve been going through the process for a few years and have had great success: new products have been invented (Monocle, Smart Cart, Interactive Shop Window), Barkley partners have gained new skills (soldering, programming, design thinking) and the event has been an integral part in changing the way the agency thinks about innovation. Even though Rotation Week’s current format is working well, we feel we can always do better. Or, as my coworker Ricky would say, “If it ain’t broke, find out why”.
As we continue to innovate upon Rotation Week, we’ve found ourselves borrowing from other innovation practices. Hyper Island’s Toolbox and Google Venture’s Sprint Guide have been valuable assets to our practice. Simple modifications such as the correct furniture arrangement or an inviting space for user interviews can have a powerful effect in stimulating creativity.
Our greatest struggle during the week is keeping the energy level high, an essential element when generating fresh ideas. We use three techniques to keep people engaged:
Exercise: Every morning starts with a creative warm-up. These exercises are engaging, fun and should always make participants feel a little bit uncomfortable. If you’re near our sprint room don’t be surprised if you see 10+ people jumping up and down yelling “BANANAS!”.
Breaks: Innovation is hard work! Frequent breaks give brains much needed rest while a constant supply of healthy snacks re-energize the group. One of the most effective methods to get blood flowing to the brain is one of the simplest: go for a walk.
Urgency: It’s easy to get caught up in the details when inventing something new, but we don’t have that kind of time. An environment of urgency and an uncompromising commitment to a schedule keeps people moving fast. A simple stopwatch works fine, but the Time Timer keeps everyone going forward at warp speed.
Hosting innovation sprints has taught us that creativity and innovation are traits present in every partner at Barkley. Fostering an environment where these traits thrive is a replicable science which requires dedication and experimentation. - Joe