No matter what, brainstorm with success in the hybrid mode

Hushoffice acoustic pods help overcome such issues.

Brainstorming in a hybrid mode – tl:dr

• Market conditions, customer expectations, and business trends are subject to constant changes. Brainstorming is a useful practice that helps teams adjust smoothly to these transformations and leverage opportunities. 

• Technical issues, unequal team contribution, and shortage of virtual brainstorming spaces in the workplace are main obstacles to productive brainstorming sessions in the hybrid environment.

• Acoustic work pods, such as products from the Hushoffice collection, are perfect video brainstorming spaces with their impeccable acoustics and privacy. Additionally, they are available with technological solutions and tools that enable smooth hybrid brainstorming.

Brainstorming is the essence of a successful company

Brainstorming sessions are a unique platform to share new ideas and express opinions. They build a space where employees are encouraged to question the established order and come up with unconventional methods of solving problems. What’s more, they are a platform for exploring innovative ideas, and thinking out of the box without being judged, as well as drawing conclusions from past mistakes. Finally, they promote the idea of continuous learning that contributes to the remarkable success of the company

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

The world’s business panorama is constantly changing, and so are market conditions, consumer attitudes, and industry tools. Brainstorming is the ultimate function enabling teams to skillfully adjust to the changes and seize every opportunity.

Brainstorming is an effective way to harness the collective intelligence of your workers.

Coordinated brainstorming sessions and workshops can help collect employee insight much more effectively than any everyday task. The reason is that when run democratically, they rely on various backgrounds, life experiences, and different perspectives. And a diversity of opinions and attitudes contributes to more comprehensive problem-solving.

Brainstorming on distributed teams is challenging for a number of reasons.

Technical issues, patchy participation, shortage of virtual brainstorming spaces in the workplace. The challenges are considerable, but fortunately, not impossible to overcome!

Problems with connection or hardware

Slow Internet connection may impede the flow of conversation, disrupting real-time collaboration. Low-quality audio or blurred graphics can also hinder a team’s ability to share thoughts and ideas freely. Another potential problem is compatibility and it may arise when employees use different operating systems or versions of software.

Indeed, our world is constantly developing. While pursuing the idea of crowdsourced ingenuity, sometimes it pays off to do things the old way. With video conferencing pods, such as hushHybrid, virtual brainstorming sessions are easier and more productive, but simple whiteboards may also be spot-on. When obstacles come up, gathering in the office and exchanging ideas on a dry erase board may turn out to be the most effective solution. For this reason, we are really excited to offer our hushWall double-sided rolling partition available with a whiteboard, a space for a TV mount, or just felt panels to meet the need for office-based creative teamwork

– explains Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Patchy participation and uneven contribution from remote participants

By definition, distributed employees work from different time zones and locations. Some find it hard to share their views and get involved in discussions due to language barriers or cultural differences. The reason for uneven participation may also be personality differences or power dynamics.

Lack of office space for creative brainstorming in virtual teams

For many workers privacy is a crucial element of the creative process. Without it, the flow of free, unrestricted thinking may be hindered, especially for employees who need time to speak their mind in shared spaces. Open-plan offices also tend to be more noisy and full of visual disturbances which impede the spontaneous process of exchanging ideas.

A perfect hybrid office consists of numerous complete environments for virtual video brainstorming sessions. In order to effectively bridge the physical and virtual worlds and make sure that each creative brainstorming session receives enough recognition, the environments must be thoughtfully designed to accommodate different group sizes, from individual sessions to a larger meeting of six people. In our Hushoffice collection you will find it all, from the one-person hushWork pod to 6-person hushMeet.L. Every pod from our line is specially designed to muffle background noise, while containing sounds made inside, providing users with a quiet, private environment, while eliminating audible disturbances from the office floor

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Acoustic work pods – perfect for virtual brainstorming sessions and key conversations.

Acoustic booths are quiet, private spaces where workers can organise brainstorming sessions with remote team members without the fear of being distracted or overheard. With their enclosed, soundproof construction, they are a visual and auditory shelter where employees can feel at ease while discussing emerging ideas or intellectual property issues.

HushHybrid 1-person video call pod. Perfectly convenient. Ready to use.

Non-verbal communication is important in every kind of teamwork. With hushHybrid’s video lighting, you can get your message across more effectively. It’s an excellent spot for virtual brainstorming sessions as it provides you with everything you need for flawless calls.

HushMeet 4-person acoustic booth. Where the best ideas come to life.

Whenever you need to organise an effective collaborative session of 3-4 team members, hushMeet is there for you. It’s highly convenient with its elegantly upholstered fabric panels on the walls and cosy, supportive sofas that improve attendees’ comfort during longer meetings.

HushMeet.L 8-person booth. For harmonious collaboration.

Need the bare bones? HushMeet.L comes unfurnished, so you can furnish it yourself  to address your team’s immediate needs. Its central volume is a perfect location for a monitor to ensure optimal visibility for all meeting attendees during virtual brainstorming sessions. 

HushMeet.open.The optimal proportion of privacy and openness.

HushMeet.open ensures privacy without losing connection with the workspace. With its open sides, interaction with other co-workers can occur smoothly, giving unrestricted access to resources and expert knowledge. Relaxed, yet enclosing – perfect for dynamic collaboration.

Brainstorming in a hybrid mode – summary

• Market conditions, customer expectations, and business trends are subject to constant changes. Brainstorming is a useful practice that helps teams adjust smoothly to these transformations and leverage opportunities. 

• Technical issues, unequal team contribution, and shortage of virtual brainstorming spaces in the workplace are main obstacles to productive brainstorming sessions in the hybrid environment.

• Acoustic work pods, such as products from the Hushoffice collection, are perfect video brainstorming spaces with their impeccable acoustics and privacy. Additionally, they are available with technological solutions and tools that enable smooth hybrid brainstorming

How to brainstorm well in a hybrid work model – frequently asked questions

What does a hybrid model of brainstorming entail?

The hybrid model of brainstorming is a combination of in-person and virtual brainstorming to ease collaboration. In practice, it means that some participants are physically present in a shared space, while others join the meeting online using video conferencing tools. It enables both in-person interaction and the inclusion of remote employees.

How to make brainstorming with virtual teams productive?

Brainstorming sessions with virtual teams rely on user-friendly digital tools to generate ideas and collaborate. It’s crucial to set well-defined goals, rules, and to create an inclusive working environment that invites everyone to participate. You can use visual aids and virtual whiteboards to share ideas, while structured techniques may help foster focus among distributed team members.

Is brainstorming productive in remote or hybrid environments?

Sure! You can make it work effectively in both remote and hybrid environments. Although it requires certain adjustments, productive brainstorming sessions are possible and the following may help: open communication, active involvement, digital collaboration tools, structured concept creation techniques, and regular follow-ups. With their premium acoustics and full privacy, Hushoffice pods are an excellent solution for virtual brainstorming sessions in the office. They are available in different sizes and a wide selection of features, including adjustable lighting and ventilation for extra comfort.