getFreshMinds.com | Ideas so fresh--they should be slapped!

Don't buy this if you don't want attention.

I'm in Germany right now for a 2 week visit, and spent the last two days traveling.  (Actually, I traveled all Wednesday, arrived Thursday morning, and then slept away half the day.)

Flying internationally is never fun, especially when the trip involves 2 lay-overs (9 hours in airports) and 757 jets without seat-back videos.

But recently, my trips have started getting a little longer because I keep getting delayed during my security checks.

I've traveled a lot, so I know how to get through as fast as possible normally.  I wear slip-off shoes, pack my bags so I can easily pull out my electronics, and forget about belts, jewelry and hair clips.

But lately, I've added a troublesome accessory that always gets me pulled aside for questioning.

It's... the protective screen on my laptop!

Couple months ago, I discovered Schtickers - a company that makes colorful "skins" for laptop computers.  They have pre-loaded designs, or you can upload your own.  The skin can be made to size, and is easy to remove.

I ordered the Starry Night print for my laptop and I love it because it makes my laptop a lot more fun.  (Let's face it, matte steel grey is "so not creative"!)

But it has been the worst traveling decision I've made!  Every time I go through security, at least one of the scanners pulls me aside and questions me:

"Where did you get that laptop cover?"
"Did you make it yourself?" 
"Where did you buy it?" 
"Can I get it in Europe?" 
"Do they have other pictures?" 
"Does it come off?" 
"How much did it cost?"

And my favorite question:
"Do you get a lot of attention with that cover?" (Asked by one of three extremely-interested security officers who were peering at my laptop instead of screening passengers.) 

I've been pulled aside in Minneapolis, in Chicago, in Connecticut, in Amsterdam and in Hamburg.  Always with the same questions. 

It now takes me longer to get through security than the time I accidentally brought an apple into the US (don't do that!), or the time security searched my laptop for dynamite  (yes, dynamite!)

It's hilarious - because everyone is completely enthralled by my laptop.

Schtickers are not the kind of ideas that change the world.  Instead, they are the kind of solution that most people don't even know they want... until they see them! 

That's what makes them brilliant - the fact that they tap into customers' deep desires for individuality in a way that most people would never even think of on their own.

Your challenge... if you chose to accept it.

How many connections can you make?  How many new ideas do you have?

Last week, I was awarded a "You Get It" award by Jason Alba of JibberJobber for having so much fun writing this blog. 

This is great because Jason's letting me give away 6 months of his premium JibberJobber service to a commentator on this blog.

So, what's this prize about?

JibberJobber is a tool that you can use for your personal career management. Experts tell you to do all kinds of stuff, and it's hard to keep track of it all.

 

will help you:

• Manage and keep track of network relationships. It is your personal relationship manager for your career.
• Organize and keep tabs of target companies that you apply to, or want to apply to.
  
• Track jobs you apply to - when did you interview, did you send a thank you letter, etc.?
• Prepare for interviews. Put in elevator pitches. Put in responses to questions.
  
• Store important documents like resumes, cover letters, reference letters, etc. Track where you use these and who you send them to.

Jibberjobber is also great for keeping your job-search material organized and available anytime.

How can you win it?

Simple, all you have to do is give me one idea. I'll even tell you how to get it!

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to use a Random Word to come up with "fresh ways to improve cars".

It takes only three quick steps to be entered to win...

1. Get a Random Word.

Use the generator below.  The word should be completely unrelated to cars. You have to use one of the words that comes up.

2. What is the first thing that comes to mind about that word?

Don't worry if it doesn't feel related to the problem!  That's the idea!

3. How could that turn into "a way to improve a car"?

Any idea is great, especially if it's wacky.  I want fresh ideas beyond faster and more powerful.  Let your random word bring you somewhere completely different.

Just write it in the comments (with the random word that got you there) and you're done!

Now, get started!  Your Random Word is:   

   

       

(And, trust me, all the words are hard.  Just go with the first one you get.)

If you need some help starting your thinking, go to Do You Have Trouble Being Creative? for examples about using this technique.

UPDATE: The contest is all over, and the winner has been crowned.

If you'd like to see the fantastic ideas people entered in this contest, they're here:

Ways to Improve Cars - Ideas from the Random Word Contest (Part 1)

Ways to Improve Cars - Ideas from the Random Word Contest (Part 2)

Many thanks to everyone who participated!

(Random word generator comes from Paul McFedries)

Do you have trouble being creative?

It's one thing to think of new ideas when your brain is on a creative roll, but what about those days when you're completely stuck?

In my experience, I've found that it's not enough to just go outside my normal physical setting when I'm stalled--I have to actually jolt my brain out of its normal paths of thinking.

Sounds great, Katie... but how do you do that?

Simple.  All it involves is a single Christmas light, some wires and a power outlet.  (JUST KIDDING! Please don't don't try this at home.)

Many times, people recommend going to a different place, doing something daring that you've never done before, or letting your hair down and playing games like a child.  But while I love a good ball crawl and long to go on a creative get-away, sometimes it's necessary to be creative without leaving your everyday routine.

So, here's my suggestion for getting fresh ideas everyday: Learn some creativity techniques!

Try Lateral Thinking, get a Whack on the Side of the Head, or bring out the ThinkerToys.  And it's not cheating.  There will always be ideas that jump out of nowhere, but it's a lot easier and more productive to use creativity tools to jump-start your thinking!

Here's an example of how one creativity technique can bring up new ideas and start your thinking in another direction.

Your Challenge: To Improve the Car

What you'll probably think about first:
Unsurprisingly, your brain is probably jumping automatically to the ways car companies already improve cars.  Something like improving the handling of the car, or giving it a bigger engine, or making the interior more luxurious, or similar things.

The problem is, everyone has those same ideas and unless you can think of something completely new, you won't gain any advantage over your competitors.

Now, I'll show you how the Random Word Technique, one Lateral Thinking tool, can open up new possibilities. 

Rationale: By thinking about a completely random word that is not related to the task, our brains make new connections.

 The Challenge: Improve the Car.
Random Word: Frog

Sounds completely ludicrous, right? How can thinking of a frog help you to think of ways to improve a car?

• Except then you might start thinking about how some African frogs can change sex. What if you had a car inside that could be customized even more exactly to genders of your customers?
  
  Or maybe the car could be customized for their lifestyles? Suddenly you have many more add-ons that you could sell for a premium, and the potential of a marketing slogan like "your car, your style".

• Or maybe your mind went to how frogs jump. What if the car had the ability to jump over traffic? That's not physically possible, or legal, but what's another way that it could be done?
  
  Perhaps the car could instead be fitted with a traffic monitor and city map that can direct you to non-busy roads. That's now possible with Google Maps.

• Also, frogs change from tadpoles to adult frogs. That could lead to two ideas right off the bat...

1. What if you had a car that was able to change size? Many people buy larger vehicles because they need to haul things occasionally. Yet they mostly drive around as the only passenger in their car.
   
   What if the car had a stylish attachment for when the driver needs more space--that could be taken off when it's not needed and the driver wants to conserve gas?
   
   
2. OR, what if the car could change from childlike to grown-up? Many parents let their 16 year olds drive their cars.
   
   What if there was some sort of parental control (that could be enabled by parents) that didn't allow the car to go above a certain speed and allowed the parent to monitor where their kid had been?  Or how else could a car change ages?

• Another thought: frogs are amphibians and some amphibians change colors. What if you had designed a car that was able to change color?
  
  This could perhaps be done with heat-sensitive paint so the driver would be able to judge the temp of the car just by looking at it. 
  
  Or perhaps the car could use some sort of image technology that the driver could use to change the color according to their moods ("I think I want a blue car today."), or car dealers could even create at service at the car dealership to help customers customize the outside of their car without going to a separate painter.

• Frogs also catch flies, swim, climb windows, croak/sing and ( sometimes) turn into princes.  What ideas come from those?

That's just one creativity technique, and I was able to come up with all those ideas in just 10 minutes. Of course, not all of them are actually viable--but they do expand thinking in a new direction.  It's no longer about handling, speed, or luxurious interiors!

Plus, this whole process can be repeated with a completely different random word to head off in another direction.  It's very amazing how many different ideas our brains can come up with when they get a nudge in a new direction!

Please share your own ideas based off this word, and come back tomorrow.  I'm holding a creativity contest and there's a prize!

For anyone who is interested, Edward de Bono just published a new book with tons of exercises using the Random Word technique.  It's called How to Have  Creative Ideas. (or UK link)

(Frogs from Sean, Robert, Alexis, Gary and Andrea. Car from Emma.)

More ideas about improving customer service calls.

The last couple days have been fun thinking about ways to make the customer service experience less painful for both companies and customers.

If you haven't read them yet, please go check-out Does thinking of customer service as a negative blind companies to new opportunities (Part I) and Part II.

But, the best part has been when readers have written in their own thoughts about customer service problems--and jump-started my thinking in new directions!

James Todhunter of Innovating to Win commented that when he calls RCN with issues, he hears a recorded message that says "We are experiencing higher than expected call volume" and then is faced with a long wait. 

Although it's good that the company tells him that many others are ahead of him, the following message "Your call is very important to us" sounds like a blatant lie when the company is always overloaded and does nothing about it.

Some ideas that came from James' comment...

• What if customers were able to see the estimated wait time online before they called?
  
  Most of the time, people just pick up the phone without realizing that 500 other people are calling on their lunch breaks too.  As a former restaurant host, I know that telling customers right away how long they have to wait lets them decide whether they want to or not.  It should work the same for phone service.

• What if customers needing service could sign-up for email or text message alerts when the call volume is low and the wait is short?
  
  Customers would then be able to find out when it is the best time for them to call in, and the company would be able to maintain higher call volume in normally-slower periods (and thus reduce wait time in busy periods).

• What if customers calling the customer help line could "take a number" and then the call service would call them back when it was their turn?
  
  This would give callers a chance to do other things while they were waiting and not have to stayed glued to the phone.  Plus, the teeny extra step of calling the customer back would make customers feel that the company was taking an extra step.  And phone companies need to know the phone number of the customer in order to help them--calling up the account screen and calling the customer could be a combined step.

Doug Meacham of Next Up says that it would be best if customers didn't have to wait for customer service at all!

Although Doug obviously doesn't understand that customers always have had to wait for companies to get around to serving them, that it's just the way things are done, and that no one likes people who come up with crazy ideas... (just kidding, Doug!)... his radical statement makes me wonder how that could work.

Some initial thoughts...

• What if the company specified online the types of issues that could be resolved through email, and reduced call-ins to more unusual problems?
  
  The advantage of this is that many issues can simply be resolved through a couple minutes on the computer system.  Thus, customer service reps don't have to spend as much time talking, and the issues could be worked on outside of regular business hours. (Potentially overseas to reduce costs further.)

• What if customers could book appointments to speak to customer service representatives?
  
  This would work really well for both customers and the company.  Customers would feel that they were being treated well and were respected by the company, while the company would be able to schedule those service appointments during the slow-call-in periods.
  
  
  
• What if customers didn't feel like they were waiting?
  
  Perhaps customers could choose between different types of hold music to get one they liked, or the hold system let them listen to a radio station, or sports results.  Who said that waiting for customer service had to include sterilized elevator music and irritating advertisements?

Any more thoughts and ideas?  Please share them below!

Does thinking of customer service as a negative blind companies to new opportunities? (Part 2)

It should come as no surprise to anyone reading this blog that many large companies hate giving customer service.  To avoid talking to their customers, companies outsource, automate, and even (if they're Sprint) send break-up letters to their most challenging customers.

But is customer service the horrible beast many companies make it out to be?  Or do opportunities lurk just past its frightening exterior?

Yesterday, in Does thinking of customer service as a negative blind companies to new opportunities (Part 1), I challenged the belief of companies like Sprint that customer service calls are negatives that should be avoided.

Here are a couple more "What If" questions that Sprint should be asking.

Question 3: What if Sprint benefited from customers calling the service line?

Many many companies spend a lot of money on market research, paying big bucks to find out what their customers want.  They do surveys, gather focus groups, and pay other companies to tell them what customers are saying.  It's not an easy thing for them to get quality input.

At the same time, customers calling the service lines are often faced with long, boring waits where they listen to elevator music and head the same advertisement over and over and over.

Hmmm.  Can something be done to improve both those situations?  What if customer who called the help line were invited to help the company with a little market research while they waited?

Customers could complete a survey, evaluate a radio advertisement for its effectiveness, or even share their ideas with a representative.

Although many customers would do it for free (just to avoid the horrible hold music), the company could offer incentives to increase participation.  Perhaps a 10% deduction on their next bill, or a coupon code to buy phone accessories on their website, or maybe even a shorter wait?

Market research would get access to a large number of subscribers, customers would not be so irritated at the long wait and the company would be able to write-off some customer-service expenses as a development initiative.

Question 4: What if Sprint only paid for customer service representatives when they were needed?

One major disadvantage for large companies like Sprint is the cost of running a large customer care center.  Unlike restaurants, customer care representatives cannot just be "phased out" when call volume drops.  Call center workers expect to work their full shifts.

Or could a customer care center be run more like a restuaruant? What if Sprint changed the traditional call center structure to give it more flexibility in staffing by (a) decentralizing it and (b) hiring more part time workers.

(A) VoIP technology allows people to answer phone calls where ever, whenever with the same line.  This could enable Sprint to set-up many smaller call centers around the world that would all be accessible by the same number (which might already be happening) OR it could allow call center representatives to work from home.

Which brings up (B) hiring more part-time workers.  The issue with having a large center is that workers expect to have full shifts when they come in to work.  If workers are allowed to work from home, or from smaller close-by centers, however, they might be willing to come in for shorter shifts during peak hours.

College students might be very interested in a job where they could come in for just a couple hours to make some extra money.  Another possibility is stay-at-home parents.  Airline Jet Blue currently homesources its entire reservation service to approximately 1000 housewives in Utah who work an average of 25 hours a week.

By moving to a system like that, Sprint wouldn't have to pay for a full staff of customer service agents during their slow periods, but would still be fully-staffed during their busiest times.

So, there are a couple more ideas about how Sprint could turn their customer service calls into a positive.  Sometimes, even the "worst obligations" can harbor opportunities.

But... if Sprint prefers the monster, they are perfectly welcome to continue down their deep dark path to see what waits for them at the end.

Note 1: I say Sprint because they just grabbed headlines by firing 1000 of their neediest customers... but it could be any company that hates customer service calls.

Note 2: Special thanks to Thiago and  Jean for the Godzilla photos!

Does thinking of customer service as a negative blind companies to new opportunities? (Part 1)

Customer service calls are never pleasant, but it seems that many companies hate them even more than customers do!

Not long ago, mobile phone giant Sprint made headlines when they "fired" 1000+ of their customers for "excessive complaining".  Those "demon customers" were allegedly guilty of calling Sprint's customer service line too many times per month--costing Sprint more money to staff the service lines than it was willing to pay.

What is interesting to me is that Sprint (and many, many other companies) view customer service as the bane of their existence.

To them, customer service is expensive, time consuming, and frustrating because only the unhappy people contact them.  It's something to be shuttled to the bottom of the priority list, automated as much as possible, and outsourced whenever possible.

It's not something they try to put a lot of brainpower into.

But, let's try something different by putting on our thinking caps, asking some questions and looking for opportunities in customer service.

Question 1: What if Sprint welcomed customer complaints?

Customers rarely call companies to thank the company for doing something right.  Usually, calls result from something going wrong.  (Rocket science, huh?)

Well, what if Sprint or another company combined their customer service line with their improvement squad?  Then, when customers called in with problems, those problems could be noted and fixed.  Priority could be given to the problems with the most call-ins.

Although this would probably overload the company right away, in the long-term it would have significant benefits.  Customers wouldn't have those problems anymore and customer service reps wouldn't have to deal with common issues on a time-consuming individual basis.  Most importantly, by fixing the recurring problems with their service, the company would have a much stronger position in the market.

Question 2: What if Sprint used those calls as an opportunity to blow their customers away?

Imagine calling a customer service line, fully expecting be shuttled from computer voice to unhelpful agent and to have to fight for every little thing, and then hearing...

"We're so glad that you brought this to our attention.  Could you please tell me a little more about the situation so that we can fix it for you? . . . I just want you to know that we're also making a note of this issue and submitting it to our improvement office."

Wow.  Wouldn't you feel great to find out that the company cared about you and legitimately wanted to fix the problem? Wouldn't that company really stand out in your mind?

The truth is, no one wants things to go wrong, and no one enjoys calling the help line.  When most people do finally call customer service, they're expecting a runaround at best, and wouldn't be surprised if they end up with a customer service horror story.

There's a reason that so many people love Apple.  Not because their products are the best in the world, but because they work hard to make sure that every customer has a positive experience.

This is beginning to sound interesting, isn't it?  Who really sits down to think about how customer service calls could be a positive both for the company and the customers?  (Hey, stop pointing at me!)

But since most companies seem to view customer service as a bad thing, it's a ripe area for new ideas.  The key is to start asking questions.

Here are a couple more of the ones I'm thinking about:

• What if calling customer service was fun?

• What if Sprint benefited from people calling the service line?

• What if Sprint didn't have to pay for customer service reps when they didn't need them?

Continue to Part 2 for more ideas about how those "What if" statements could work.

And please share your own! What more "What If" statements can you think of?
 

What if cell phones headed in a different direction?

Everyone's excited about the iPhone and the other manufacturers who are racing to create the next generation of phones that will be better, faster, with more capabilities. 

Every year, phones are becoming more like miniature do-it-all machines.  Phones today have cameras, email, to-do capabilities, calendars, web browsers, mp3 players, file storage, music libraries, individualized ring-tones, video players, keyboards and even credit card purchasing abilities.

But, as the tech-enthusiasts are flying off into the future, and the rest of us are dragged behind (happily or reluctantly), is anyone asking if this if what people really want?

It seems to me that all the phone manufactures are simply charging down the path to creating feature-packed, extremely-expensive, quickly-obsolete mini-computers. 

While this is a great thing for some people, it's a bad thing for creativity. There's no real thinking involved, just the bundling of more and more features into a tiny package!

Personally, I'm not thrilled about carrying around a mini-almost-as-good-as-a-computer phone.  It's expensive, too small to use as a main computer but very big for a phone, and it has a lot of things to break.  Especially for occasions like running or going out, a feature-packed phone isn't ideal.

Apple fans, please don't attack me here!  I like the iPhone... I just don't like that every cell phone creator is now dead-set on creating a "better, more advanced" version of it.  The iPhone is fantastic because it questioned many assumptions about what people want in their cell phones.

I'd LOVE to see more of that!

For example, take a look at this fresh idea from the Sparkbugg Idea blog:

Although it's not considered very promising on the blog, I beg to differ. This idea has promise not for its specific as-is market value, but because it challenges our embedded concept of a cell phone.

Who says that cell phones have to be blocky, inflexible tools?  Why can't they be elegant accessories?

Think about it!  When the phone doesn't have to be a mini-computer, what else could be done with it?

Who else could benefit from this idea?

One thing I really love is finding ideas that are just begging to provide value for someone.

Like this coffee mug that Yusuke Fujinuma and Yoko Yamazaki of Public Design posted on IdeaList.

They present it simply as a quirky novelty gift--a coffee mug with a ring as the handle, that comes packaged in a mock jewelry box designed to open up like an engagement ring.  Like this, it's a fun present for a couple getting engaged or married.

The moment I saw this product, however, my mind started spinning.  The idea itself is cute, unexpected and made me take a second closer look. 

Then I thought, "What if the ring wasn't just a standard loop with a rhinestone, what if it was real?" 

A real diamond ring on a coffee cup would definitely stand out.

How could this actually work though?  Obviously, a real diamond ring on a coffee mug isn't the greatest idea.  It's a little expensive for a ceramic cup, and people want to wear rings all the time--not just when they drink coffee.

A fake ring, with a synthetic moissanite stone, would be an option.  However, the big question is who would want such a thing and why!

In fact, ring coffee cups could have marketing potential for jewelry stores.

Here are a couple examples of how they could use the cups and why they would want to:

In the Jewelry Store

When couples come in to buy engagement or wedding rings, they usually don't want a hard sell.  A wedding ring store could make their customers feel welcome by inviting them to have a cup of tea or coffee, and then presenting several different coffee cup ring options in their presentation boxes.

Not only would this help the couple relax, it would also give the store a chance to put models of the most beautiful (and expensive) rings in front of the customers in a fun, friendly manner.  Then they could get down to the business of selling... already knowing that their customers have been impressed by examples of the best rings right away.

At Conventions

Many companies give out "freebies" to promote their products or services.  Usually, it's something useless, but the companies that give out useful or unusual, eye-catching items can get a lot of attention.

The ring coffee cups could be an good freebie because it's something people would use on a daily basis and it's eye-catching enough to get attention.  Coffee mugs are always popular anyways, because people use them, and this would help the company stand out.

On College Campuses

Recently, coffeehouses have become popular meeting and socializing places on collage campuses.  College students frequently spend hours there meeting friends, doing homework and just sitting around drinking coffee.  Many of those same college students, especially in smaller cities, will be getting engaged and married soon after they graduate.

Jewelry stores could take advantage of this by donating cups with a variety of imitation engagement rings to on-campus coffeehouses.  This would get their name in front of students on a frequent basis while letting the students "try on" rings for fun.  They also have the advantage of appearing generous and environmentally-friendly because of their donation.

The advantage of using a ring coffee cup is that it isn't traditional advertising. 

People see print advertisements everyday and usually tune most of it out.  On the other hand, people do remember advertisements that fun and interactive. 

The design of this coffee cup begs drinkers to slip the ring onto their finger for fun, and that gives it potential.  What jewelry company wouldn't love to get people trying on their rings everyday?

Of course, this isn't the only one way that the ring coffee cup could be expanded beyond a novelty gift.

Does anyone have any other ideas?  What else has this made you think about?  Please share them below.

A product I'm desperate to buy.

As I wrote yesterday in The easiest way to become a creative thinker, not all of their ideas have to be revolutionary for someone to practice being creative.  In fact, some of the simplest observations can lead to ideas that have value.

For example, as someone who does a lot of typing on her laptop, I've noticed that it's really painful to use a small keyboard for extended periods of time.  This is really frustrating because it's impossible to concentrate for extended periods of time--even when I have large projects to do.

In my experience, an ergonomic keyboard is the only thing that has really helped when my arms start to hurt.  Using one relieves all my pain and prevents further injury.

But there's one huge problem with ergonomic keyboards...

They're HUGE. Enormous.  Gigantic.  Bigger than my laptop!

To me, this seems like the producers of keyboards have a very narrow profile for their target market: a person with a permanently-placed computer.

That seems like a very short-sighted view that is blinding them to a potential opportunity.  What about the laptop users who desperately need relief for their wrists, but have a laptop because they want to be able to move around? Those monster keyboards simply aren't portable.

This wouldn't even be a difficult product to make.  The current ergonomic keyboards are full of special keys (over 50 extra beyond the essentials.  All a keyboard manufacturer would have to do is to crop the keyboard down to the bare minimum, and perhaps add the ability to fold.

Is this a revolutionary idea that would reshape the computing world?  Of course not!  But would it fill a real consumer need? Yes, both heavy laptop users wanting to prevent carpal tunnel and desktop users with limited space would be very interested.  I know this because I'd buy a portable ergonomic keyboard in a heartbeat!

How to take an idea to the next level

Thinking of new ideas is really hard, and there nothing worse than putting in the time and effort to develop your idea, only to have it immediately dismissed.

Yesterday I saw an idea on IdeaList that was instantly slammed down by the first commentator.  Just two words. "...try again."

Unsurprisingly, this idea hasn't fared well after that.  People see the first negative comment and don't want to get behind a "losing idea".

The problem is, one quick gut reaction is usually the only evaluation most ideas get.  A bad first impression, and that idea is headed straight for the circular file.  "No harm, right? The idea obviously didn't have potential."

Let's take a look.   Here is the original idea:

A ice cream package in a ball form.

After eating their ice-cream, children are able to close the top of package, fasten it, and go to play soccer, handball, and etc. It’s a interactive package that encourages children to play.

(Grammar cleaned up slightly for readability.)

Whether you like this idea or not, make yourself think about what is good about it.

Here are 5 good things about it to get you started:

1. Less waste.  This is a reusable container.  Can also be used to hold snack or cereal for kids, or toys, and it's probably waterproof.
2. Kids like to play with prizes that come with their food.  They'll probably like it a lot more than adults think!
   
3. Saves space packing for the beach.  Snack, and then tons of potential as a toy.  Moving water, building with sand, and I bet it floats.
4. This could be used to entertain multiple children at the same time.  Since it's soccer-ball-sized, it must contain a lot of ice cream.
5. Kids convince their parents to buy fun-looking snacks in the grocery store.  Probably be a great seller when placed at the proper eye level!
6. (Your Idea) _________________________

Starting to see some potential now?  Let's continue by looking at a concept behind this idea:

The ice cream package is a "treat that encourages kids to be active."

Hmmm... that's interesting.  Parents will like that.  Where else can we go from there?  An idea session is not complete without using the initial concept as a jumping off point for other products.

So, here's one derivative idea that comes from reversing "eat ice cream, play with the ball."

What if the ice cream ball were to create ice cream when the kids were kicking it?  It's possible... campers used to make balls of newspaper filled with ice chips that would turn the ingredients into ice cream while they threw it around. 

This could be a modern, cleaner alternative for parents who want their kids to exercise, or want to have a fun game when they have kids over, or don't want their kids to think that ice cream is easily available.

It just needs two layers (one for the ice and one for the ice cream).  Plus, there's a lot of potential to sell prepackaged (e.g. just add milk) ice cream flavors.

See how an idea can go from a "...try again" to a concept that deserves a closer look?

Can anyone give more potential uses or additional ideas for this concept?

Can Lush make life easier for frequent fliers?

Lush is a handmade cosmetics company that specializes in using fresh ingredients to create exotic, fragrant soaps and other toiletries. 

Their products, if I do say so myself, are fabulous and, according to Fast Company magazine, the company loves innovating and constantly challenges itself to change a full 1/3 of it's product line every year. 

That means they need to create at least 100 totally new products in a 12 month period, and they do that by relying, in part, on significant input from their customers.

Yes, Lush is a company that gets innovation and how to create a customer base.  They have stores in over 35 countries, over $100 million in annual revenue and sell over 60,000 Bath Bombs per day. 

And I think that they're missing a great opportunity.

Last fall, many airlines around the world cracked down on the amounts of liquid that passengers can carry-on.  This seriously inconveniences business travelers (especially women) who don't check luggage.

At the same time, Lush carries a huge line of solid products.  Soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, make-up removing face wash, body lotion, bath bomb and even hair dye.

There are tons of business travelers who are agonizing every day about whether to risk the delays of checked baggage, or attempt to stuff all their essentials into a tiny plastic baggy.

Many of them have never heard of Lush, but would probably be extremely grateful to learn about products that make business travel easier!

Lush should definitely consider going after this new and very desperate target market.