How to Use the Lotus Blossom
- State the problem or opportunity.
- Create a series of words which reflect or refer to Step #1. Pick one core word and place it in the centre of the Lotus Blossom.
- Brainstorm or free associate words or concepts suggested by the core word. You can either place the words directly on the petals, or pick the most provocative eight answers from a larger group of words to place on the petals.
- Transfer the eight words from the centre square to the first ring of outer petals.
- Free associate more words for this first ring. I typically try for a second or third ring of petals around each core word. You want more words than less.
- As the Lotus Blossom expands, what new ideas or concepts are triggered or suggested?
Practical Examples of the Lotus Blossom
For a large group of people, create a super-sized Lotus Blossom on a broad wall, using different coloured Post-It Notes for the petals.
For a small group working at a table, print mini-versions of the Lotus Blossom for partipants to share around a table, oftentimes passing their Blosssom to the next for others to contribute and build upon ideas.
Because the Lotus Blossom is both linear and lateral, it’s an excellent tool for “conservative brainstormers” who want a technique where they see a clear line to idea generation. Here’s an actual example.
We were hired by an established insurance company to rename the organisation. The team would be full of – using their own words – very linear thinkers. After a short explanation of the technique, the central word chosen was – no surprise – insurance. The next eight words were also obvious. They chose words specific to their brand, values and customer services: security, policy, life, gift, safety, premium, health and protection.
The brainstorm got interesting when different teams expanded the petals from its first ring. From security, one team created these eight words: lock, key, rope, safe, light, guard, measure and alarm. They became preoccupied with the word light, even going so far as to translate light into other languages. From different words for light, the team used the Lotus Blossom to expand further, eventually tweaking and stylising words by removing letters or coming similar words to come up with a unique hybrid, eventually the word Verio.
Another team picked up on this team’s success, expanding upon light to come up with the word torch (aka, a flashlight to my American friends). This team created ideas like distributing small key-ring torches as media gifts, a community program to remind families to check that their home torches had batteries in case of emergencies, etc.
I’ll also admit here that the technique is somewhat complex and a bit “stage-y” for brainstorms, but twice when I’ve covered a wall with a large-scale version of the Blossom – in brilliant colour to boot – it can be both interactive and inspiring. I remember watching how people from different teams started working on their own, linking words from different petals and create ideas. It almost facilitates itself.
I have included two printer-friendly Lotus Blossoms below in both 8.5×11 and A4. Please e-mail me if you’d like more information or want help considering how it might be used in your workshops. As always, let me know what you think of the technique or if you’ve tried it in your brainstorms. Good luck!
If you’ve used the Lotus Blossom, add your thoughts, comments and tips below.
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