Brainstorming Techniques That Actually Generate Ideas
Most brainstorming sessions waste everyone’s time. Here’s why they fail and what actually works when you want real ideas, not just a roomful of people talking.
Marcus Tan
Director of Innovation Workshops & Creative Development
Mindcraft Labs Pte Ltd
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Creative thinking isn’t a talent you’re born with — it’s a skill that gets sharper with the right framework and practice. I’ve spent 14 years proving that any organization can unlock this capacity in their teams.
About
The Journey So Far
Marcus discovered his passion for creative thinking methodology while working as a management consultant in Singapore back in 2010. Thing is, he kept noticing the same pattern: traditional business processes were stifling innovation instead of encouraging it. So he decided to do something about it.
He pursued formal training in design strategy at the National University of Singapore and spent the next five years designing innovation workshops for Fortune 500 companies across Southeast Asia. His work helped over 200 organizations embed creative problem-solving into their culture. But the real turning point came in 2017 when he joined Block71 as a resident innovation mentor — that’s when he developed his signature Mindcraft methodology, combining design thinking, lateral thinking techniques, and behavioral psychology into one practical system.
Today, he leads the creative development team at Mindcraft Labs, where he designs immersive workshop experiences that genuinely transform how teams approach problems. You’ll find his work featured in regional innovation publications, and he regularly speaks at business forums about building sustainable creative cultures.
Core Strengths
What Marcus Brings to the Table
Specialized methodologies developed through 14 years of hands-on experience with startups and established enterprises.
Design Thinking Facilitation
Structured workshops that guide teams through empathy, ideation, and prototyping. He’s delivered over 150 sessions, from two-hour sprints to multi-day immersions. The focus is always practical — you’ll leave with actual ideas you can implement.
Innovation Culture Development
Helping organizations shift from top-down decision-making to collaborative problem-solving. This isn’t quick. It takes months of coaching, training, and cultural reinforcement. But the results stick.
Organizational Problem-Solving
When companies face complex challenges without clear solutions, that’s where Marcus works. He’s guided teams through product strategy, business model innovation, and operational transformation using proven methodologies.
Team Coaching & Leadership Development
One-on-one coaching for leaders who want to build more creative, adaptive teams. Marcus works with individuals and groups to develop the mindsets and skills that drive innovation from within.
Background
Education & Experience
2024 – Present
Director of Innovation Workshops
Mindcraft Labs Pte Ltd
Leading the creative development team and designing custom innovation programs for enterprise clients across Southeast Asia.
2017 – 2024
Innovation Mentor & Senior Facilitator
Block71 Singapore
Developed and delivered innovation workshops for startups and corporates. Created the Mindcraft methodology — a hybrid approach combining design thinking with lateral thinking and behavioral psychology.
2012 – 2017
Senior Consultant, Innovation Strategy
Management Consulting Firm, Singapore
Designed and delivered innovation workshops for Fortune 500 companies. Built frameworks for organizational change and creative culture transformation. Worked with over 50 enterprise clients.
2010 – 2012
Management Consultant
Singapore-based Consulting Firm
Started career identifying how traditional business processes often blocked innovation. This observation sparked the journey toward design thinking and creative methodology work.
2012 – 2014
Master’s Degree in Design Strategy
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Specialized in design thinking methodology, innovation systems, and organizational change management. Research focused on how design thinking integrates with business strategy.
Latest Writing
Featured Articles
Practical insights on creative thinking, innovation methodology, and building creative cultures in organizations.
Design Thinking Framework for Problem Solving
Design thinking isn’t just for designers. It’s a practical system for solving messy business problems. We’ll walk through the five-step framework that’s worked for hundreds of organizations.
Mind Mapping: Organize Complex Ideas Visually
Your brain doesn’t think in bullet points. Mind mapping lets you capture ideas the way your brain naturally works. Plus, it’s an incredible tool for team collaboration.
Building a Culture of Innovation in Teams
You can’t mandate creativity. But you can create the conditions where it thrives. This is what we focus on when working with organizations that want real, lasting change.
Get in Touch
Work With Marcus
Whether you’re looking to run a workshop, develop your team’s creative capacity, or explore innovation strategy for your organization — let’s talk.
Organization
Mindcraft Labs Pte Ltd
Focus Areas
Design thinking facilitation, innovation culture development, organizational problem-solving
Location
Singapore & Southeast Asia