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CREATIVE    AEROBICS®

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WHOPPERS & SNAPS should be used as a follow-up technique to a normal brainstorming or idea-generation exercise. WHOPPERS & SNAPS is designed to help a group push themselves to squeeze out additional ideas by looking at the extremes of practicality.

"Whoppers & snaps" was given its name by John Nieman, Worldwide Creative Director of  Darcy Masius Benton & Bowles, Inc.

 Preparation

• Cover the wall with large sheets of newsprint or use several flip charts.
   
• Place pencils/pens and note pads or paper around table.
   
• Colored markers for facilitator.

Steps

1.    Brainstorming SNAPS:  Ask participants to spend five-
        minutes silently brainstorming VERY EASY, SMALL, DOABLE
        solutions/ideas--i.e., ideas that could be implemented "in a
        snap."

• Ask participants to jot down their SNAP ideas.
• Go around table and ask each person to briefly state one SNAP idea.
• Make a list of the ideas on flip-chart pad or wall display.
• Keep going around table until all ideas have been recorded.

2.    Brainstorming WHOPPERS:  Repeat exercise.  This time ask
        participants to spend five-minutes silently brainstorming
        HUGE, UNFEASIBLE, IMPRACTICAL solutions/ideas--i.e.,
        ideas that are too outrageous or "impossible" to be actually
        implemented.

• Ask participants to jot down their WHOPPER ideas.
• Go around table and ask each person to briefly state one WHOPPER.
• Make a list of these ideas on flip-chart pad or wall display.
• Keep going around table until all ideas have been recorded.

3.    Discuss, prioritize, and develop the ideas with the most
        potential.

• Lead group in choosing the best SNAP ideas--ideas that would have the most impact and be the easiest to implement.
• Lead group in identifying which WHOPPER ideas that can be transformed into more practical and doable ideas.
• Prioritize final set of ideas.  Discuss and begin developing implementation plans.

Materials

• 8 - 25 participants
   
• Cut long paper (e.g., legal sized) into bumper-sticker sized strips
   
• Markers
   
• Masking tape
   
• Optional:  colored adhesive dots