Prompt Engineering for Ideation: Business Process Innovation

By Tojin T. Eapen

In this post, we will explore how Large Language Model (LLM) tools like ChatGPT can support a systematic idea-generation process that utilizes heuristics to guide divergent thinking. Specifically, we will examine how a supermarket in Columbia, Missouri can improve its business processes using the "Removal" heuristic or "Elimination" thinking tool, which involves generating divergent ideas by removing an existing element from a system. The Elimination thinking tool is one of the 11 thinking tools of Innomantra's Functional Innovation Methodology.

Why is the "Removal" or "Elimination" heuristic effective for generating creative ideas? For an idea to be considered creative, it must possess two elements: novelty and value. To be considered novel, an idea must appear surprising or different from what is expected. Removing a component from a system creates a perception of novelty relative to the degree of expectation of that component. However, it's important to note that the more embedded or expected the component is, the harder it is to remove, as there is usually a good reason for its presence. But if it is removed, the perception of novelty is also much higher. In terms of value, elimination can yield benefits in different ways. For example, it can reduce negative system parameters such as cost, weight, or waste, or it can introduce an unexpected source of efficiency. Removing a part of a system may make it more streamlined.

Now, let's put this knowledge to use and enlist the help of ChatGPT in generating ideas. First, we will ask it to identify various business processes associated with the store. Our prompts are in blue and are italicized, and the response of ChatGPT is in green.

Spencer's, a large supermarket located in Columbia, Missouri, is seeking ways to improve its business processes. Can you list some of the common activities and processes involved in the functioning of a supermarket, such as restocking products and removing expired items?

Some common activities or processes associated with the functioning of a supermarket like Spencer's may include:

• Ordering and receiving new inventory
• Storing and organizing products on shelves and in backrooms
• Pricing and labeling products
• Setting up and maintaining displays and promotions
• Operating cash registers and handling customer transactions
• Managing employee scheduling and training
• Cleaning and maintaining the store's physical appearance
• Handling customer complaints and concerns
• Auditing and tracking sales and inventory data
• Planning and implementing marketing and advertising campaigns
• Managing relationships with suppliers and vendors
• Implementing and maintaining security measures to protect store's assets and customer's information.

Great! Can you now prioritize and rank the activities you have listed?

It would be difficult to rank the activities I have identified as they all play important roles in the functioning of a supermarket. Each activity is necessary for the store to operate effectively and efficiently, and the priority and emphasis placed on each activity may vary depending on the specific goals and needs of the store. However, I can give some examples of what could be considered critical activities that would have a high priority for most supermarkets:

• Storing and organizing products on shelves and in backrooms: This is critical for ensuring that products are easily accessible to customers and that the store presents a clean and organized appearance.
• Operating cash registers and handling customer transactions: This is critical for generating revenue and providing a positive customer experience.
• Auditing and tracking sales and inventory data: This is critical for understanding the store's performance and making informed decisions about inventory and staffing.
• Managing employee scheduling and training: This is critical for ensuring that the store has the necessary staff to operate effectively and that employees are equipped to provide excellent customer service.
• Cleaning and maintaining the store's physical appearance: This is critical for creating a positive customer experience and maintaining the store's reputation.
• Implementing and maintaining security measures to protect store's assets and customer's information: This is critical for preventing loss and ensuring the safety of both the store and its customers.
• Ordering and receiving new inventory: This is critical for ensuring that the store has the products customers want to buy.
• Planning and implementing marketing and advertising campaigns: This is critical for bringing new customers to the store and increasing sales.
• Managing relationships with suppliers and vendors: This is critical for ensuring that the store has access to a wide range of products at competitive prices.
• Handling customer complaints and concerns: This is critical for maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty.

It's worth noting that the ranking could vary based on the specific needs of Spencer's store and its management priorities.

Please elaborate on the following activity that you have identified: "Storing and organizing products on shelves and in backrooms: This is critical for ensuring that products are easily accessible to customers and that the store presents a clean and organized appearance."

Storing and organizing products on shelves and in backrooms is a critical activity for ensuring that products are easily accessible to customers and that the store presents a clean and organized appearance. This includes a variety of tasks such as:

• Placing products on shelves in a logical and easy-to-find manner, with similar products grouped together and prominently displayed.
• Keeping shelves and displays fully stocked and properly rotated to ensure that products are fresh and that older products are sold before they expire.
• Keeping the aisles and displays clear of clutter and debris, so that customers can easily navigate the store and find what they are looking for.
• Keeping backrooms and storage areas organized, so that products can be easily found and restocked as needed.
• Properly labeling and identifying products and their location, so that employees can quickly find and retrieve them as needed.

By ensuring that products are easily accessible to customers, the store can improve the customer experience and increase sales. A clean and organized appearance also helps to create a positive image for the store, which can help to attract new customers and increase customer loyalty. Additionally, it can also help to reduce the time and effort required to restock shelves and find products in the store, which can improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Now, identify five creative idea that involve eliminating or getting rid of the following activity that you have identified: "Placing products on shelves in a logical and easy-to-find manner, with similar products grouped together and prominently displayed."

Self-service kiosks: Implementing self-service kiosks in the store could allow customers to quickly and easily search for products and find where they are located in the store. This could eliminate the need for products to be placed on shelves in a logical and easy-to-find manner, as customers could simply use the kiosk to find what they need.

Virtual product catalog: Creating a virtual product catalog and making it available online or in-store could allow customers to search for products by category, brand, or other criteria. This could eliminate the need for products to be grouped together on shelves, as customers could simply search for what they need using the catalog.

In-store navigation app: Developing an in-store navigation app that customers can download and use on their smartphones could allow them to easily find products in the store. The app could use GPS or other technology to guide customers to the products they are looking for, eliminating the need for products to be prominently displayed on shelves.

Personalized product recommendations: Implementing a personalized product recommendation system, such as through an app or online portal, could allow customers to receive personalized product recommendations based on their browsing history, purchase history, or other criteria. This could eliminate the need for products to be grouped together on shelves, as customers would receive recommendations for products that are tailored to their individual interests and needs.

Smart shelves: Implementing smart shelves in the store could allow products to be automatically reorganized and rearranged based on customer demand, sales data, and other factors. This could eliminate the need for employees to manually group and place products on shelves, as the smart shelves would do it automatically, and would also ensure that the products are always in the optimal location to be easily found by customers.

Great! Thank you for your support in helping us improve the business processes at Spencer's

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help. It's important for businesses to continuously review and improve their processes to stay competitive and meet the changing needs of customers. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.

The ideas provided by ChatGPT provide a useful starting point to further improve and refine the strategies for Spencer's. They can be used as a foundation to generate more specific and actionable plans. Additionally, they can serve as a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of new ideas.

To learn how leading Fortune Global 500 companies such as ABB, Bosch, Google, Samsung, and NetApp have used Innomantra's Functional Innovation Methodology to turbocharge their idea management process, schedule a meeting today at calendly.com/innomantra.