“Cross Breed” to generate new ideas

Generating ideas by applying a random concept to the problem at hand (“crossbreeding”) is a well-publicized technique because, historically, it happens “accidentally” under the heading of “Eureka!” A few classic examples…

• 3M scientist Arthur Fry invents the post-it note after crossbreeding a bookmark with a “not-so-sticky” glue he invented but had no purpose for. (The inspiration was a bookmark that kept falling out of a hymn book during church service!)
• Track coach Bill Bowerman invents the Nike running shoe after crossbreeding the pattern on a waffle with a rubber sole. (The inspiration was breakfast!)
• Swiss inventor Georges de Mestral, invents velcro after crossbreeding burrs and fur. (The inspiration was an afternoon walk in which his dog became covered in burrs).
• The stories go on and on.

You don’t have to wait for accidental inspiration. You can create your own with a creativity tool I developed called Crossbreed. A similar techniques is called “forced association.”

Get it now

To download the pdf, click here: Cross Breed Exercise (pdf)

Warning: You can use Cross Breed casually but if you want ” breakthrough ideas,” you need to “define your challenge” FIRST or risk wandering off topic and wasting time. It’s the first step of B.I.5, Breakthrough Ideas in 5 Steps (download the B.I.5 Cheatsheet).

This is a preview of the pdf:

Please respect copyright: all material belongs to Creative Expeditions Inc. Feel free to use the exercise within your team but please secure the permission of Inge Christensen before replicating material obtained from this website for any reason!