Brand Autopsy

A few months ago at the Fast Company weblog FCNow, there were several conversations taking place regarding where folks get their ideas and what they do with them. Click here and here. I've been impressed with the quality content that Seth has been able to provide us. -> 6 published books, magazine articles, blogsite, etc… This made me wonder what process Seth uses to organize and gather his ideas.

So, Seth... what process do you use?

My process isn't nearly as organized as it should be, partly because when I get organized, I generate too much stuff.

In an effort to capture and store ideas and thoughts, I test drove a few different handheld organizers. What I realized is that I just needed a surface to jot thumbnail drawings and quick ideas – so I returned the PDA and purchased 3"x 5" cards and a plastic sleeve (to protect them) and that works just fine... What about you, Seth?

I carry a digital camera, but mostly I ask myself a lot of questions.

The questions Seth asks...

Where this is a sign or a person or a situation. "How can this turn into a great example?"

What can I learn from this?"

I also listen to questions that people ask me and if I have a shred of an answer, try to generalize it.

For those of you who may need an extra jolt to help you problem solve or develop ideas... Here are some key tools I keep handy in my Brand Autopsy morgue that I highly recommend...

The KnowBrainer – Gerald "Solutionman" Haman's invention. The founder of SolutionPeople has developed an "accelerated innovation and creativity tool" to help you investigate, create, evaluate and activate.

ThinkPak – A Brainstorming Card deck from the author of ThinkerToys, Michael Michalko. They help you think in fresh new ways.

IDEO Method Cards – A stack of cards that provide 51 ways to inspire design the way IDEO does it. They help you ask, look, learn and try.