We’ve done numerous workshops lately focusing on improving Customer Experience and we believe this supermarket icebreaker is a great one for a customer focus. It starts with the simple question, “what product are you?” This enables everyone to start immediately with something personal – one of our three pillars of good icebreakers – and to share a little of themselves with their colleagues. Our objective here is to oust the old mentality of meetings and agendas and transform the way others interact with each other. Jump here to learn more about our three pillars.
A trip to the supermarket is not always people’s idea of fun. However, there are in fact many people that actually enjoy this “necessary evil” that costs both time and money. The positives of grocery shopping always outweigh the negatives: in the end, you leave the store with products you rely on and enjoy. Some even think it’s a great “first date” as each product people choose reveals certain aspects of their character. So again, the question becomes this: what product are you?
How this Supermarket Icebreaker Works
In this supermarket icebreaker, as in all of ours, we want people to find two or three people they don’t know very well. This helps people develop some early rapport so that during the main activities of the workshop, there is an established sense of camaraderie and familiarity. Keep in mind that icebreakers typically last from about 15-30 minutes. So we move fast, energizing people to think quickly and act quickly. Once people form their teams and get to know everyone’s names, they dive right into the brainstorming process. With the provided flipcharts and markers, people jot (or draw) their product, then start on the interesting part. “Why are they that product? Why is it uniquely him or her?” So someone choosing ‘Coffee’ may say things like: “I’m hot; I help people’s days get started; you can drink me all day long, but too much, and you get the jitters!!!”
This is Where Personalities Shine
We’ve noticed groups get deeply into the attributes of buyers such as a mother, with kids, with no extra time, that likes the better things in life and is organizing a birthday for her son. Some go ever deeper, building a persona (typically people who know about Design Thinking and User Centered Design). Other groups just get straight to the point: “It’s a builder that is going to play poker with his mates.” Both conversations are valid and noteworthy indicators of the types of thinkers in the
room. This is where personalities really begin to shine, ultimately setting the tone for the remainder of the workshop.
Why Your Meeting Will Go from Bland to Bold
So what is the benefit of this supermarket icebreaker? The chances of you actually transforming into a supermarket product are highly unlikely. But the probability of you and your team engaging in a topic that incites a fair dose of humor, a lens into each other’s personalities, and a greater comprehension of everyone’s ability to think non-linearly and creatively is indeed much more likely. It is also relevant because it makes everyone think in the customer’s shoes. This icebreaker proves to accomplish this critical aspect of workshops based around Customer Experience and Design. In addition to keeping it relatively succinct and straightforward, keeping things fun, personal, and relevant are essential facets of any successful icebreaker. Learn more about our fundamentals in Meeting Hacks: Icebreakers – giving you a snapshot of both how they work and why they work.
As the day moves forward, you may be surprised at how such a simple activity positively affects the collaborative and creative energies in the room. The avocado from one group may eventually find herself next to the dark chocolate of another group. Despite their differences, they recall their aforementioned utilities and qualities, and merge them. These are where the big “a-ha!” moments happen. And ultimately, where people begin to formulate ingenious strategies and solutions.
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