Brainstorm past the obvious answers

--- name: brainstorm-past-the-obvious-answers description: "Generates genuinely different ideas by exploring several deliberate angles, then scores and narrows them to the best few. Use when asked to brainstorm or decide an open-ended question such as naming, strategy, or design." --- Use this when someone asks for ideas, options, names, or approaches on an open-ended question where several answers could work and the obvious one may not be the best. Skip it when the question has one standard answer, when the person asks for something quick or standard, or for factual lookups. Steps: 1. Write down the three answers that come to mind first and label them the obvious set. They stay in the running but get no extra credit. 2. Generate ideas from at least five deliberately different angles, for example: a strict regulator or risk officer; a complete beginner or a child; someone with no budget at all; someone who must deliver in one day; a different industry that solves a similar problem; and the opposite of the obvious answer. Produce two or three ideas per angle, each in one or two lines. 3. Remove duplicates and group similar ideas. Drop ideas that are clever but break a stated constraint, and say briefly why. 4. Score the remaining ideas from 1 to 5 on usefulness for the goal, feasibility with the stated resources, and originality. Show the scores. 5. Take the top three and develop each a little further: how it would work, the first step, and the main risk. Output shape: the obvious set; ideas grouped by angle; a short scored table; the top three developed; and a one-line recommendation with the reason. Avoid: padding the list with near-identical ideas, choosing novelty over usefulness, and dismissing the obvious answer when it really is the best (say so when it is).

Obvious set: loyalty points card; email discount; referral bonus. By angle: - No budget: a handwritten thank-you in the first order; customers vote on next month's flavour. - Beginner's view: a first-visit tasting tray so newcomers are not overwhelmed. - Other industry (gyms): a bring-a-friend Saturday... | Idea | Useful | Feasible | Original | Total | |---|---|---|---|---| | Flavour vote | 4 | 5 | 4 | 13 | | Tasting tray | 5 | 4 | 3 | 12 | | Points card | 3 | 5 | 1 | 9 | Top three developed: 1. Flavour vote: a card at the till each month. First step: print 200 cards. Risk: low turnout... Recommendation: start with the flavour vote; it is cheap and gives customers a reason to come back.