Some problem assumptions are extremely basic and fundamental; others may be more abstract and esoteric. For instance, a basic assumption of a problem involving attracting new bank customers would be that the customers have money to invest. Amore abstract assumption might be that customers put their money in banks primarily to satisfy their needs for security. Either type of assumption is appropriate for this exercise. So encourage participants to consider whatever assumption they think of, even if it may not be correct technically.
Also consider having participants debrief using the following questions:
• What was most helpful about this exercise?
• What was most challenging?
• What can we apply?
• How would you rate the value of this exercise to helping us with this issue?
• Will this exercise be helpful in the future for other sessions?
• What did you learn?
• What will we be able to use from this exercise?
• What ideas were generated, and which ones were most interesting?
Turn Around Handout
Assume you are the president of a bank and want to attract new customers. You might list the following assumptions:
• Potential customers have money.
• Placing money in the bank satisfies security needs.
• Many potential customers are confused by banking procedures.
• Banks lend money to make money.
• People have to wait in line to get money.
• When you withdraw your money, it is not really the same money you deposited originally.
• Banks keep money in vaults.
Next, reverse these assumptions as shown in the following examples:
• Potential customers have no money.
• Putting money in the bank makes people insecure.
• Potential customers all are knowledgeable bankers.
• Banks lend money to lose money.
• People never have to wait to get money.
• Banks keep money in the open.
Finally, use these reversals to suggest ideas:
• Emphasize the lowest interest loans in town.
• Stress security measures taken to protect the customers’ money.
• Develop commercials showing the professional expertise of the bank’s officers and staff.
• Give customers who recruit other customers a higher interest rate.
• Offer home ATMs.
• Place a see-through bank vault door in the center of the bank.
Taken From : Pfeiffer 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity
