Problem-solving as a street shop service where ideators come up with solutions to random peoples' problems
Image credit: Deco idees
Darko SavicApr 19, 2022
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Originality
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Feasibility
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Necessity
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Bounty for the best solution
Provide a bounty for the best solution
Bounties attract serious brainpower to the challenge.
General problem-solving as a street shop service. People walk into a problem-solving office and explain their problems. Upon researching/thinking, a talented ideator gets back to them with solutions.
Why?
An endless stream of new problems to think about. To a habitual problem-solver, this feels like a conveyor belt for new ideas.
A way for ideators to make a living doing what they are good at.
A place where people can get advice that is actually useful and feasible.
As some problems begin to repeat, the ideator would already have the solutions ready.
How it works
A self-employed talented ideator works in a walk-in office/shop on a busy street. Half of the office furniture is laid outside to make it more inviting/friendly. There are signs around the shop that make it clear that the ideator is there to come up with solutions for peoples' problems.
The pitch goes something like this: "Tell me about your problem. I will try to come up with a solution on the spot. If I can't, you should leave your email/number and I will contact you if/when I have a solution. My help is free of charge but you can leave a tip if you found it useful."
Online community for ideators
The ideator posts all the interesting/difficult problems on the Brainstorming platform where they have a community of ideators that run street problem-solving shops just like their own. All the ideators collaborate and help each other solve people's problems.
When a passerby comes in with a problem, the ideator can:
attempt to come up with a cool solution on the spot
search for something similar on the Brainstorming platform
take the customer's contact info and pass the problem to the brainstorming community while also thinking about it over the next few nights/showers/walks.
The ideator shares any unique solutions they come up with on the Brainstorming platform. This enriches their portfolio and makes the world/internet slightly better.
The office/shop layout
I imagine an ideator sitting behind an L-shaped desk in a small street shop. The desk is positioned so that 2 chairs can be placed outside and 2 inside. During bad weather, the outside part is closed off with a sliding glass wall.
On a nice sunny day, the layout makes it possible for up to 4 people to sit and talk to the ideator. Half the capacity during bad weather. Imagine a nicer version of this layout below where the counter is replaced with a desk and the chairs are more comfortable:
This would also work for the intended purpose:
For more upscale setups, something like this could be placed in busy pedestrian areas:
Strongly extroverted ideators could even go with an office like this:
Whatever gets people to talk to you and open up about their problems.
Another good location for a problem-solving consultancy business would be anywhere where people are bored/waiting.
You get a client, and he sets ten or less goals for his problem.
You make a deal how many of goals get you how much "money".
And you make a contract.
Lovely jobbly.
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Darko Savic2 years ago
For something like this to work, the ideator would first need a way to demonstrate his/her abilities. An ideator's portfolio or some kind of a publicly verifiable track record. The contract value could then be negotiated based on the ideator's demonstrated skills as a problem solver.
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Brainstorming bars
Darko SavicApr 29, 2022
Bars where people can pay for their drinks by coming up with original ideas and sharing them with the world. The sponsor handles the verification of originality and reimburses the bar for the drinks.
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Add your creative contribution
General comments
Goran Radanovic2 years ago
The idea's image made me think of a pop-up shop. But that's a fixed location, even if temporary. So I thought about ideators changing locations to get more clients if a certain spot isn't working.
I thought of themed trailers. So your trailer is set up in the design of an office, or the design could be one of your images. It's a shop on wheels, helping you avoid rent but allowing you access to more people.
If you design a cool shop, people will come in just to check it out.
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Subash Chapagain2 years ago
I find this idea very interesting and quite doable. This can be even implemented by public agencies and governments as well. This will be helpful not just for the ones with problems, but for everyone as a whole. In its extended version, I can imagine several booths and stalls at different locations where you can simply go and 'deposit' your ideas for potential problems that people in your area might be facing. Voluntarily, if you are the kind of person who is constantly ideating, you can just go to these 'idea booths' and sell your ideas. Moreover, these venues can also work as matchmakers for ideators with the ones with problems. The scopes are boundless!
Darko Savic Apr 19, 2022
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