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Assume the absurd and you'll find some not-so-absurd ideas.
The technique of "assuming the absurd" is really just a twist on the basic assumption-challenging technique. It's advantage is that it tends to get you thinking more imaginatively. At least it will if you play along. The easiest way to start with this technique is with "what if" questions.
Tired of carrying that heavy backpack in the wilderness? Ask the absurd question, "What if the backpack carried itself?" A helium balloon comes to mind, or wheels that can handle rough trails. Actually, that last one just hit the market. The "Wheelpacker" attaches to your back and lets you pull the pack down the trail behind you, using a modified bicycle wheel.
"What if we sold our cereal below cost?"
That's absurd! Then again, if the revenue was made up by selling advertising space on the box, it might be even more profitable. "Raisin-Ads: Now with more advertising!" (Feel free to steal these ideas.)
"What if I just quit my job and didn't look for another?"
Hey, this question gave me the time and motivation to write this book, and to develop an internet business that pays the bills. Maybe you could put an ad in the paper and let the jobs look for you?
"What if lights produced sound instead of light?"
This might be a nifty product for people who are blind. Using the sounds, they could orient themselves in a room, or follow a hallway easily.
If it is difficult to come up with absurd "what ifs," start with opposites. If you need to increase sales, for example, just say "how could decreasing sales be better?" That might lead to the idea of dropping non-profitable customers and squeezing more profit out of good customers.
Of course, increasing sales and getting more profit per sale is even better. That brings up an important point: There's no need to prove that your absurd assumption is better than existing ones.
You use these techniques to trigger your imagination, and give you new ideas. If an absurd "what if" question, or any other technique gets you nowhere, just drop it after a minute and move on. It's absurd to think you can get good ideas from every question. But then again...
Here are some absurd assumptions for practice. Try to think of a couple ways to "make sense" of each one. In other words, make it into something not so absurd, and possibly useful.
What if employees paid employers to work for them?
What if problems solved themselves?
What if you could train a dog to drive a car?
How could you get richer by giving things away?
How could you tell a story without words or pictures?
How could you make a million dollars in two years if your life depended on it?
Why would someone buy a car that didn't run?
What if you loved your neighbor as yourself?
For more information on Problem Solving Power, visit http://99reports.com/problem-solving.html