Running an online brainstorm session
For new ideas, smart choices and a session everyone contributes to.
An active format
Brainstorming online often produces more than a full meeting room does.
Brainstorming online asks for a different approach than a room does. We design online brainstorm sessions with the right energy, the right formats and tight facilitation — so that ideas flow, perspectives become visible and the best ideas get somewhere.
More input in less time
In a digital brainstorm everyone can add ideas at once. That gives quieter participants a better hearing and makes the output visible straight away.
From loose ideas to choices
A good online brainstorm doesn't stop at sticky notes. We build in phases for clustering, deepening, prioritising and translating into next steps.
Creative and structured
With formats such as Miro, SpatialChat, Liberating Structures, World Café or our own, there's room for creativity without the session wandering off.
In practice
Three examples. Years of experience.
Marketing teamDeveloping ideas for a new campaign
A marketing team wants to gather a lot of angles for a new campaign quickly. We design an online brainstorm with individual input, group enrichment and sharp prioritisation.
Innovation teamTesting and sharpening concepts
For an innovation programme we bring several disciplines together in a digital working session. We capture the results immediately and turn them into real choices between concepts.
Strategy teamExploring opportunities with a large group
An organisation wants broad input without organising a day in person. With break-outs, interactive canvases and a plenary round-up, an overview appears quickly.
Preparation is everything
Who it's for
Innovation teams, marketing departments, product and strategy teams
Group size
10-100 participants
What a successful running an online brainstorm session needs.
01
A good question
The quality of the question decides the quality of the ideas. Too broad and it goes vague, too narrow and it holds creativity back.
02
Diverging and converging
First make room for plenty of ideas, then choose carefully. Without that second phase a brainstorm often stays a handsome board with no decision.
03
A digital workspace that holds up
Miro, SpatialChat or another canvas has to be laid out sensibly beforehand. Participants should be able to add ideas without technical hurdles.
Frequently asked questions
Does brainstorming online really work?
Yes. Brainstorming online often produces more ideas than sessions in a room. Digital tools let everyone contribute at the same time.
How many people can take part?
We run brainstorms for roughly 10 to 100 participants.
What do we take away from the session?
An overview of ideas, insights and priorities. Everything is captured digitally as it happens.
How long does an online brainstorm take?
Usually between 2 and 4 hours.
Which tools do you use?
We prefer to work in SpatialChat: a creative and genuinely surprising environment that improves free conversation. But we also have plenty of experience with Zoom alongside interactive canvases such as Miro.
What does an online brainstorm cost?
That depends on group size, preparation and facilitation. Do ask for a quote — it's usually less than people expect.
More answers?Fewer answers
Can you help prioritise the ideas?
Yes. That's why we usually build in a phase where ideas are weighed and prioritised. Prioritising online is easier and faster than offline.
Can participants contribute anonymously?
No, not with us. We set store by open conversation, and our formats are built so that everyone can be seen and heard. That surfaces more perspectives than anonymity does.
Does brainstorming online work for large groups?
Especially then. Online, a great many people can contribute at the same time.
Which brainstorming methods do you use?
Anything from Liberating Structures to World Café, Open Space formats and our own.
Can a brainstorm be hybrid?
Yes. But it asks for very deliberate design and usually means close to doubling both preparation time and cost.
What happens afterwards?
If you want, we help turn the ideas into specific next steps.
Related event formats
This might fit too — or even better.
Letting the group set the agenda: open, energetic and surprisingly productive.
Running an online Open Space
Deep conversations in small groups, even with a large group. Online.
Running an online World Café
A day that leads to decisions and direction — not just to presentations.
Running an online strategy day
Teams that work together better — even when they work far apart.
Running online team building
Next step
Online, but not as you know it.
Orientation
See what we do
From strategy day to online team building — see which event formats fit what you're after.
View all events →Interested
Feel the difference
20 minutes to see how a platform like SpatialChat does something Zoom and Teams don't.
Book a tour →Ready to go
Book a conversation — we'll think it through with you
No obligation. We look straight away at your situation, your group and what it needs.
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