objective:
encourage participants to combine unrelated business concepts and synthesize them into an innovative solution, fostering creativity and the ability to see connections between different ideas.
instructions:
- set the scene
- explain: “each team will receive two business concepts that may seem unrelated. your job is to combine them into a brand new service or product. be bold, be creative, and see where the connection takes you.”
- distribute concept cards
- give each team (3–4 people) two random business concept cards from the list below.
- if you’re facilitating virtually, you can use a tool like wheelofnames.com to randomize concepts.
- group ideation
ask groups to:
- brainstorm ways the two concepts could be combined
- design a service/product that adds value to the world, a business, or both
- consider what problem it solves, who benefits, and how it could be implemented
- sketch the idea on flip-charts or paper
- optionally build a prototype using any creative or open-ended materials
- present mashups
invite each team to pitch their solution quickly (max 60 seconds), giving it a name and a short description.
- whole group debrief
prompt reflection:
- “what surprised you about combining these concepts?”
- “did any unexpected ideas emerge?”
- “how did working with constraints help or challenge your team?”
concept cards (print or slide-ready):
• customer service • sustainability • corporate social responsibility (csr) • remote work • social media marketing • brand loyalty • e-commerce • recycling programs • subscription model • fair trade practices • influencer marketing • crowdfunding • carbon footprint reduction • digital transformation • ethical sourcing • sustainable packaging • circular economy • supply chain transparency • data privacy • inclusive design • zero-waste initiatives • impact investing • employee training and development • affordable products for low-income consumers • reusability • freemium business models • local community support • green technology • ethical consumerism