SCAMPER Your Way to Breakthrough Ideas: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Ultimate Brainstorming Tool

What is SCAMPER?

Ready to turn your brain into a creativity factory?

Say hello to SCAMPER, your new best friend in the world of innovation.

It’s a mental trampoline that’ll have your ideas bouncing higher than a caffeinated kangaroo.

SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse.

It’s like a Swiss Army knife for your mind, helping you slice, dice, and julienne your thoughts into brilliance.

We’re about to take your ideas on a wild ride through the SCAMPER playground.

Ready to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary? Let’s SCAMPER!

Let’s look at each element of SCAMPER

1. Substitute: Replace part of the product, process, or service with something else.
   Example: A restaurant substitutes rice with quinoa in their burrito bowls to offer a healthier, protein-rich option.

   Prompt: What if we replaced our plastic packaging with biodegradable materials?”

2. Combine: Merge two or more ideas, products, or services to create something new.
   Example: A smartphone manufacturer combines a phone with a high-quality camera lens to create a device that appeals to photography enthusiasts.

   Prompt: How could we combine our fitness app with social media features to create a more engaging experience?

3. Adapt: Change an existing idea or product to suit a different purpose or context.

   Example: A clothing company adapts their popular outdoor jacket design to create a line of stylish, water-resistant backpacks.

   Prompt: How can we adapt our office chair design for use in outdoor settings?

4. Modify (Magnify/Minify): Change the size, shape, or other attributes of an idea or product.

   Example: A software company modifies their project management tool by adding new features and simplifying the user interface based on customer feedback.

   Prompt: What if we miniaturized our desktop computer to fit in a pocket?

5. Put to another use: Find new applications or target markets for an existing product or service.

   Example: A manufacturer of kitchen sponges puts their product to another use by marketing it as a tool for cleaning car interiors.

   Prompt: How could our car-sharing service be used for delivering goods in urban areas?

6. Eliminate: Remove elements or simplify an idea or product to its core essentials.

   Example: A designer eliminates unnecessary buttons and features from a remote control to create a simpler, more user-friendly device.

   Prompt: What features can we remove from our smartphone to create an ultra-minimalist device?

7. Reverse/Rearrange: Turn an idea or product on its head or change the order of its components.

   Example: A furniture company reverses the traditional design of a bookshelf by creating a unit that hangs from the ceiling instead of standing on the floor.

   Prompt: What if we reversed the traditional restaurant model and had customers cook their own meals with provided ingredients?

Now using the formula, let’s create some prompts for different audiences using SCAMPER.

Prompts for Marketing

Welcome to the SCAMPER Spectacular, where your wildest ideas perform death-defying feats of innovation.

In this creativity circus, you’ll witness ten rings of marketing madness, each showcasing a different act of business brilliance.

No safety net needed here, folks. These SCAMPER prompts are designed to catch your craziest concepts and launch them into the spotlight.

So, grab your ringmaster hat and imagination whip – it’s time to tame these marketing beasts into purring campaigns of pure genius!

• Social Media Marketing Prompt: Imagine you’re revamping our brand’s social media presence using the SCAMPER technique. Substitute: What if we replaced our current content style with interactive AR filters? Combine: How can we merge live streaming with user-generated content challenges? Adapt: What storytelling techniques from viral TikTok trends can we adapt to our campaigns? Modify: How can we tweak our posting schedule to maximize engagement across different time zones? Put to another use: How can we repurpose customer reviews into engaging social media stories? Eliminate: What underperforming content types can we cut to focus on high-impact posts? Reverse: How would our strategy change if we prioritized community building over promotional content?

  Let’s check this prompt on ChatGPT Plus.

• Email Marketing Prompt: Reimagine our email marketing strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced text-heavy emails with interactive mini-games? Combine: How can we merge personalized product recommendations with user behavior tracking? Adapt: What elements from successful mobile app notifications can we adapt to our emails? Modify: How can we alter our subject lines to boost open rates in different demographics? Put to another use: How can we repurpose our email content for an SMS marketing campaign? Eliminate: What unnecessary design elements can we remove to improve load times and readability? Reverse: How would our email sequence change if we started with the purchase confirmation and worked backwards?
• Content Marketing Prompt: Transform our content marketing approach with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced blog posts with interactive infographics or data visualizations? Combine: How can we merge long-form articles with podcast episodes for a multi-media experience? Adapt: What techniques from investigative journalism can we apply to our industry reports? Modify: How can we adjust our content tone to appeal to a younger audience without alienating our core readers? Put to another use: How can we repurpose our white papers into a series of short video tutorials? Eliminate: What topics can we cut to focus more deeply on our core areas of expertise? Reverse: How would our content calendar change if we planned backwards from major industry events?
• Event Marketing Prompt: Revolutionize our event marketing strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced physical goody bags with digital asset bundles? Combine: How can we merge virtual and in-person elements for a hybrid event experience? Adapt: What concepts from music festivals can we apply to our business conferences? Modify: How can we change our event layout to encourage more meaningful networking? Put to another use: How can we repurpose event recordings for year-round marketing content? Eliminate: What traditional event elements can we remove to create a more streamlined experience? Reverse: How would our event planning change if we started with the post-event follow-up and worked backwards?

  Let’s try this Event prompt with Perplexity running Claude 3 Opus.

• Influencer Marketing Prompt: Innovate our influencer marketing approach with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced individual influencers with micro-communities or niche forums? Combine: How can we merge influencer collaborations with customer loyalty programs? Adapt: What strategies from political campaigns can we apply to our influencer outreach? Modify: How can we adjust our influencer contracts to prioritize long-term partnerships over one-off posts? Put to another use: How can we repurpose influencer-created content across our own marketing channels? Eliminate: What metrics can we stop tracking to focus on more meaningful engagement indicators? Reverse: How would our strategy change if influencers approached us instead of vice versa?

1. SEO Strategy Prompt: Enhance our SEO strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced keyword-focused content with topic clusters? Combine: How can we merge our SEO efforts with our PR initiatives for better backlink building? Adapt: What techniques from voice search optimization can we apply to our overall SEO strategy? Modify: How can we adjust our meta descriptions to improve click-through rates from search results? Put to another use: How can we repurpose our FAQ page content to target featured snippets? Eliminate: What low-performing keywords can we cut to focus on more valuable search terms? Reverse: How would our content creation process change if we started with the desired search ranking and worked backwards?
2. Video Marketing Prompt: Revolutionize our video marketing strategy with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced scripted videos with improvised, authentic content? Combine: How can we merge live video with interactive polls or quizzes? Adapt: What techniques from popular YouTube creators can we apply to our corporate videos? Modify: How can we adjust our video length and format for different social media platforms? Put to another use: How can we repurpose our webinar content into bite-sized social media clips? Eliminate: What production elements can we simplify to create more frequent, timely content? Reverse: How would our video strategy change if we focused on silent, caption-based videos first?
3. Affiliate Marketing Prompt: Transform our affiliate marketing program using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced individual affiliates with strategic brand partnerships? Combine: How can we merge our affiliate program with a customer referral system? Adapt: What elements from successful loyalty programs can we incorporate into our affiliate structure? Modify: How can we adjust our commission structure to incentivize quality over quantity? Put to another use: How can we repurpose our affiliate marketing materials for general brand awareness? Eliminate: What underperforming product categories can we remove from the affiliate program? Reverse: How would our strategy change if we started with our ideal customer acquisition cost and worked backwards?
4. Public Relations Prompt: Innovate our PR strategy with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced traditional press releases with interactive digital media kits? Combine: How can we merge our PR efforts with our corporate social responsibility initiatives? Adapt: What storytelling techniques from documentary filmmaking can we apply to our brand narrative? Modify: How can we adjust our tone and messaging for different media outlets and audiences? Put to another use: How can we repurpose our crisis communication plans for proactive reputation management? Eliminate: What outdated PR tactics can we cut to focus on more impactful strategies? Reverse: How would our approach change if we started with our desired brand perception and worked backwards?
5. Customer Retention Marketing Prompt: Reimagine our customer retention strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced generic loyalty points with personalized experiences or perks? Combine: How can we merge our customer service interactions with upselling opportunities? Adapt: What techniques from subscription box services can we apply to keep our one-time buyers engaged? Modify: How can we tweak our post-purchase follow-up sequence to encourage repeat business? Put to another use: How can we repurpose customer feedback into testimonials and case studies? Eliminate: What unnecessary touchpoints can we remove to streamline the customer journey? Reverse: How would our retention strategy change if we focused on preventing churn rather than encouraging repurchases?

Prompts for Business Leaders

Ready to shake things up in the corporate colosseum?

We’re about to take your business strategies on a wild ride through the SCAMPER jungle.

No boring boardroom banter here – just pure, unadulterated innovation that’ll make your competitors’ heads spin.

So grab your thinking cap (or better yet, your thinking sombrero), and let’s turn your business into a creativity powerhouse!

1. Strategic Planning Prompt: Imagine revolutionizing your company’s five-year plan using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced financial goals with impact metrics? Combine: How can we merge our long-term vision with short-term agility? Adapt: What strategies from successful tech startups can we apply to our traditional business? Modify: How can we tweak our planning process to be more inclusive of junior staff? Put to another use: How can we repurpose our strategic plan as a recruitment tool? Eliminate: What assumptions can we challenge to create a more innovative strategy? Reverse: How would our approach change if we planned from the future backward?
2. Team Management Prompt: Reimagine your leadership style with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we swapped hierarchical structures for self-managing teams? Combine: How can we blend remote and in-office work for optimal productivity? Adapt: What techniques from sports coaching can we apply to business leadership? Modify: How can we adjust our communication style to better resonate with Gen Z employees? Put to another use: How can we leverage team conflicts for innovation? Eliminate: What micromanagement habits can we ditch to foster autonomy? Reverse: How would our management approach change if employees evaluated their managers?
3. Innovation Process Prompt: Supercharge your R&D department using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced brainstorming sessions with silent idea generation? Combine: How can we merge customer feedback with emerging tech trends in our innovation process? Adapt: What methods from design thinking can we apply to our product development? Modify: How can we alter our prototyping process to be more sustainable? Put to another use: How can we repurpose “failed” ideas into new opportunities? Eliminate: What stages in our innovation funnel can we remove to speed up development? Reverse: How would our approach change if we started with the user and worked backward to the technology?
4. Corporate Culture Prompt: Transform your company’s DNA with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced annual reviews with continuous feedback loops? Combine: How can we blend work and play to create a more engaging environment? Adapt: What practices from successful co-working spaces can we bring into our office? Modify: How can we tweak our dress code to reflect our brand personality? Put to another use: How can we use our company values to drive customer loyalty? Eliminate: What outdated traditions can we drop to stay relevant? Reverse: How would our culture shift if we prioritized personal growth over professional achievements?
5. Risk Management Prompt: Revolutionize your approach to uncertainty using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced risk avoidance with calculated risk-taking? Combine: How can we merge risk assessment with opportunity identification? Adapt: What techniques from extreme sports can we apply to business risk management? Modify: How can we adjust our risk tolerance to encourage innovation? Put to another use: How can we use potential threats as catalysts for improvement? Eliminate: What unnecessary precautions are holding us back from growth? Reverse: How would our strategy change if we viewed every risk as a potential advantage?
6. Customer Experience Prompt: Reimagine your customer journey with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced traditional customer service with AI-powered personal assistants? Combine: How can we blend online and offline experiences for a seamless customer journey? Adapt: What elements from luxury hotel services can we bring to our everyday customer interactions? Modify: How can we tweak our loyalty program to create emotional connections? Put to another use: How can we turn customer complaints into marketing opportunities? Eliminate: What friction points in the customer journey can we remove? Reverse: How would our approach change if we designed our service from the customer’s perspective inward?
7. Supply Chain Management Prompt: Transform your logistics using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced long-term contracts with dynamic, AI-driven partnerships? Combine: How can we merge sustainability goals with efficiency metrics in our supply chain? Adapt: What practices from just-in-time manufacturing can we apply to our inventory management? Modify: How can we adjust our supplier relationships to be more collaborative? Put to another use: How can we leverage our supply chain data for market predictions? Eliminate: What redundancies in our logistics network can we cut to increase speed? Reverse: How would our approach change if we started from the end consumer and worked backward through the supply chain?
8. Talent Acquisition Prompt: Revolutionize your hiring process with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced resumes with project-based assessments? Combine: How can we blend traditional interviews with virtual reality simulations? Adapt: What techniques from dating apps can we apply to candidate matching? Modify: How can we tweak our job descriptions to attract more diverse applicants? Put to another use: How can we use our recruitment process to enhance our brand image? Eliminate: What biases in our hiring decisions can we remove? Reverse: How would our approach change if candidates designed their own roles?
9. Financial Planning Prompt: Reimagine your budgeting process using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced annual budgets with rolling forecasts? Combine: How can we merge financial goals with social responsibility metrics? Adapt: What practices from personal finance apps can we apply to corporate budgeting? Modify: How can we adjust our financial reporting to be more accessible to non-finance staff? Put to another use: How can we use our budget as a storytelling tool for investors? Eliminate: What unnecessary expenses can we cut without impacting growth? Reverse: How would our financial strategy change if we started with desired outcomes and worked backward to resource allocation?
10. Corporate Social Responsibility Prompt: Transform your impact strategy with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if we replaced one-off donations with long-term community partnerships? Combine: How can we blend profit goals with social impact metrics? Adapt: What practices from successful NGOs can we apply to our CSR initiatives? Modify: How can we tweak our volunteering program to align with employee passions? Put to another use: How can we leverage our CSR efforts for employee retention? Eliminate: What “greenwashing” practices can we remove for authentic impact? Reverse: How would our approach change if social responsibility drove all business decisions?

Prompts for Creative Professionals

Ready to take your artistry to the next level?

We’re about to dive into the SCAMPER pool, where your ideas will swim through a sea of innovation.

No more mundane brainstorming—just pure, unfiltered creativity that’ll make your work stand out like a neon flamingo in a flock of pigeons.

So, grab your metaphorical paintbrush, and let’s remix, reimagine, and revolutionize your creative projects!

1. Art Project Prompt: Use the SCAMPER technique to reimagine your next art project. Substitute: What if you used recycled materials instead of traditional ones? Combine: How can you merge digital art with physical installations? Adapt: What elements from nature can you adapt into your design? Modify: How can you alter the scale of your work to create a different impact? Put to another use: How can you repurpose everyday objects into your art? Eliminate: What details can you remove to simplify and strengthen your message? Reverse: How would your project look if you started with the final piece and deconstructed it?
2. Graphic Design Prompt: Transform your graphic design process using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced traditional fonts with hand-drawn typography? Combine: How can you merge photography with vector graphics for a unique look? Adapt: What patterns from different cultures can you adapt into your designs? Modify: How can you tweak color schemes to evoke different emotions? Put to another use: How can you use infographics in unexpected places, like packaging? Eliminate: What design elements can you strip away to create a minimalist aesthetic? Reverse: How would your design change if you started with the negative space?
3. Illustration Prompt: Reimagine your illustration style with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you used unconventional tools, like coffee or spices, instead of ink? Combine: How can you blend traditional illustration with augmented reality? Adapt: What techniques from animation can you incorporate into your static illustrations? Modify: How can you alter the perspective to create a more dynamic composition? Put to another use: How can you turn your illustrations into interactive experiences? Eliminate: What unnecessary details can you remove to focus on the core message? Reverse: How would your illustration look if you started with the background and worked forward?
4. Photography Prompt: Innovate your photography approach using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you used vintage cameras instead of digital ones? Combine: How can you merge photography with mixed media art? Adapt: What lighting techniques from cinema can you adapt to your photo shoots? Modify: How can you change the framing to tell a different story? Put to another use: How can you use your photos in unexpected formats, like textiles? Eliminate: What elements can you remove to create a more striking image? Reverse: How would your photo series change if you started with the final edit and worked backward?
5. Fashion Design Prompt: Revolutionize your fashion design process with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you used sustainable fabrics instead of conventional ones? Combine: How can you merge fashion with wearable technology? Adapt: What traditional garment-making techniques can you adapt for modern designs? Modify: How can you tweak silhouettes to create a new trend? Put to another use: How can you repurpose old clothing into new collections? Eliminate: What design elements can you remove to create a minimalist look? Reverse: How would your collection change if you started with the accessories and built outfits around them?
6. Interior Design Prompt: Transform your interior design projects using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you used reclaimed materials instead of new ones? Combine: How can you merge indoor and outdoor spaces for a seamless experience? Adapt: What elements from historical architecture can you adapt into modern interiors? Modify: How can you change the layout to improve flow and functionality? Put to another use: How can you repurpose furniture for different uses? Eliminate: What unnecessary decor can you remove to create a cleaner look? Reverse: How would your design change if you started with the lighting and built the space around it?
7. Animation Prompt: Reimagine your animation techniques with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you used stop-motion instead of digital animation? Combine: How can you blend 2D and 3D animation for a unique effect? Adapt: What storytelling techniques from live theater can you adapt into your animations? Modify: How can you alter character designs to make them more relatable? Put to another use: How can you use animation in unconventional formats, like virtual reality? Eliminate: What scenes can you cut to streamline the narrative? Reverse: How would your animation change if you started with the climax and worked backward?
8. Sculpture Prompt: Innovate your sculpture practice using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you used biodegradable materials instead of traditional ones? Combine: How can you merge kinetic elements with static sculptures? Adapt: What techniques from industrial design can you adapt into your sculptures? Modify: How can you change the scale to create a different impact? Put to another use: How can you repurpose found objects into your sculptures? Eliminate: What elements can you remove to highlight the core concept? Reverse: How would your sculpture change if you started with the final form and deconstructed it?
9. Creative Writing Prompt: Transform your writing process with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you wrote in a different genre than usual? Combine: How can you merge prose with poetry for a unique narrative style? Adapt: What techniques from screenwriting can you adapt into your storytelling? Modify: How can you alter the narrative structure to surprise readers? Put to another use: How can you repurpose your short stories into scripts or plays? Eliminate: What unnecessary subplots can you remove to tighten the story? Reverse: How would your story change if you started with the ending and worked backward?
10. Music Composition Prompt: Reimagine your music composition using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you used unconventional instruments, like household items, instead of traditional ones? Combine: How can you blend classical music with electronic beats? Adapt: What techniques from visual art can you adapt into your music composition process? Modify: How can you change the tempo to evoke different emotions? Put to another use: How can you repurpose your compositions for film scores or video games? Eliminate: What elements can you strip away to create a minimalist sound? Reverse: How would your composition change if you started with the chorus and built the verses around it?

Prompts for Content Creators

Ready to sprinkle some SCAMPER magic on your creative cauldron?

We’re about to dive into a whirlwind of innovation that’ll transform your content from ordinary to extraordinary.

No more cookie-cutter ideas—just pure, unfiltered creativity that’ll make your audience sit up and take notice.

So, grab your wand (or keyboard), and let’s conjure up some content gold!

1. Blog Writing Prompt: Apply the SCAMPER technique to your blog writing. Substitute: What if you swapped written blogs for illustrated storyboards? Combine: How can you integrate interactive quizzes within your blog posts? Adapt: What successful elements from viral articles can you adapt to your writing style? Modify: How can you change the structure of your posts to include more visual elements? Put to another use: How can you repurpose your blog content into eBooks? Eliminate: What redundant information can you cut to make your posts more concise? Reverse: How would your blog change if you started with the conclusion and worked backward?
2. Video Content Prompt: Transform your video content strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced talking head videos with animated explainer videos? Combine: How can you merge live-action footage with motion graphics? Adapt: What techniques from popular YouTube channels can you adapt to your videos? Modify: How can you tweak your video intros to grab attention immediately? Put to another use: How can you turn your video scripts into blog posts? Eliminate: What unnecessary scenes can you cut to keep your videos engaging? Reverse: How would your video content change if you started with the end credits and worked backward?
3. Podcasting Prompt: Innovate your podcasting approach with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced solo episodes with guest interviews? Combine: How can you merge podcast episodes with live listener call-ins? Adapt: What storytelling techniques from radio dramas can you adapt to your podcast? Modify: How can you change the format to include more listener interaction? Put to another use: How can you repurpose podcast transcripts into articles? Eliminate: What segments can you remove to streamline your episodes? Reverse: How would your podcast change if you started with the key takeaway and worked backward?
4. Social Media Content Prompt: Reimagine your social media strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced static images with GIFs or short videos? Combine: How can you merge user-generated content with branded posts? Adapt: What successful tactics from influencers can you adapt to your social media? Modify: How can you tweak your posting schedule to maximize engagement? Put to another use: How can you repurpose social media content for email newsletters? Eliminate: What types of posts can you cut to focus on high-engagement content? Reverse: How would your social media strategy change if you started with the desired engagement and worked backward?
5. Email Marketing Prompt: Transform your email marketing using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced text-heavy emails with visual newsletters? Combine: How can you merge email campaigns with social media promotions? Adapt: What elements from successful email campaigns can you adapt to your style? Modify: How can you change the subject lines to increase open rates? Put to another use: How can you repurpose email content for blog posts? Eliminate: What unnecessary information can you remove to make emails more concise? Reverse: How would your email strategy change if you started with the call-to-action and worked backward?
6. Webinars Prompt: Innovate your webinar approach with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced traditional webinars with interactive workshops? Combine: How can you merge live webinars with pre-recorded segments? Adapt: What techniques from successful online courses can you adapt to your webinars? Modify: How can you tweak the format to include more Q&A sessions? Put to another use: How can you repurpose webinar content for video series? Eliminate: What parts of the webinar can you cut to keep it engaging? Reverse: How would your webinar strategy change if you started with the key learning outcomes and worked backward?
7. Infographics Prompt: Reimagine your infographic design using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced static infographics with animated ones? Combine: How can you merge infographics with interactive elements? Adapt: What design techniques from popular infographics can you adapt to your style? Modify: How can you change the layout to make information more digestible? Put to another use: How can you repurpose infographic content for social media posts? Eliminate: What unnecessary details can you remove to simplify the design? Reverse: How would your infographic change if you started with the most important data point and worked backward?
8. E-books Prompt: Transform your e-book creation process with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced text-heavy e-books with multimedia e-books? Combine: How can you merge e-books with interactive quizzes or assessments? Adapt: What elements from successful e-books can you adapt to your style? Modify: How can you tweak the format to include more visual elements? Put to another use: How can you repurpose e-book content for blog series? Eliminate: What sections can you remove to make the e-book more concise? Reverse: How would your e-book strategy change if you started with the key insights and worked backward?
9. Live Streaming Prompt: Innovate your live streaming strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced solo live streams with collaborative streams? Combine: How can you merge live streaming with real-time audience polls? Adapt: What techniques from popular live streamers can you adapt to your streams? Modify: How can you change the format to include more audience interaction? Put to another use: How can you repurpose live stream content for highlight reels? Eliminate: What parts of the live stream can you cut to keep it engaging? Reverse: How would your live streaming strategy change if you started with the end goal and worked backward?
10. Content Curation Prompt: Reimagine your content curation process using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced automated curation with handpicked content? Combine: How can you merge curated content with original commentary? Adapt: What techniques from successful curators can you adapt to your process? Modify: How can you change the format to include more multimedia elements? Put to another use: How can you repurpose curated content for newsletters? Eliminate: What types of content can you cut to focus on high-quality pieces? Reverse: How would your curation strategy change if you started with the desired audience reaction and worked backward?

Prompts for Entrepreneurs

Ready to catapult your startup into the stratosphere of innovation?

We’re about to embark on a SCAMPER safari, where we’ll hunt down game-changing ideas and turn your business into a lean, mean, disrupting machine.

No more recycling stale concepts—it’s time to shake things up like a snow globe in a hurricane.

So, strap on your innovation jetpack, and let’s blast off into a universe of entrepreneurial brilliance!

1. Product Development Prompt: Use SCAMPER to revolutionize your startup’s product. Substitute: What if you replaced physical components with virtual ones? Combine: How can you merge your product with AI capabilities? Adapt: What features from the gaming industry can you incorporate into your product? Modify: How can you tweak your product to be more eco-friendly? Put to another use: How can your product solve problems in an entirely different industry? Eliminate: What features can you remove to make your product more intuitive? Reverse: How would your product change if you designed it for the opposite of its intended purpose?
2. Business Model Innovation Prompt: Transform your startup’s business model using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you swapped your current revenue model for a subscription-based one? Combine: How can you blend e-commerce with personalized consulting? Adapt: What elements from successful platform businesses can you incorporate? Modify: How can you adjust your pricing strategy to capture a new market segment? Put to another use: How can your business model work in a completely different industry? Eliminate: What unnecessary costs can you cut to increase profitability? Reverse: How would your business model change if customers paid you to not use your product?
3. Marketing Strategy Prompt: Reimagine your startup’s marketing approach with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced digital marketing with experiential marketing? Combine: How can you merge influencer partnerships with user-generated content? Adapt: What guerrilla marketing tactics can you borrow from other industries? Modify: How can you tweak your brand voice to resonate with a new audience? Put to another use: How can you use your marketing content to educate or entertain? Eliminate: What marketing channels can you cut to focus on high-ROI activities? Reverse: How would your strategy change if your customers became your marketers?
4. Customer Acquisition Prompt: Innovate your customer acquisition strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced cold outreach with inbound marketing? Combine: How can you blend referral programs with gamification? Adapt: What techniques from dating apps can you apply to customer matching? Modify: How can you alter your onboarding process to increase retention? Put to another use: How can you use your acquisition funnel to gather market research? Eliminate: What steps in your sales process can you remove to speed up conversions? Reverse: How would your approach change if customers had to apply to use your product?
5. Funding Strategy Prompt: Transform your startup’s funding approach with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced traditional VC funding with crowdfunding? Combine: How can you merge equity funding with revenue-based financing? Adapt: What strategies from real estate investment can you apply to startup funding? Modify: How can you tweak your pitch to appeal to impact investors? Put to another use: How can you use your funding round as a marketing opportunity? Eliminate: What investor requirements can you negotiate away? Reverse: How would your funding strategy change if investors paid to pitch to you?
6. Team Building Prompt: Revolutionize your startup’s hiring process using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced full-time employees with a global freelance network? Combine: How can you merge skill-based hiring with culture fit assessment? Adapt: What techniques from sports team drafts can you apply to your hiring? Modify: How can you change your interview process to better assess real-world performance? Put to another use: How can you use your hiring process to generate new product ideas? Eliminate: What unnecessary steps in your recruitment can you remove? Reverse: How would your team structure change if employees chose their own roles and salaries?
7. Product-Market Fit Prompt: Innovate your approach to finding product-market fit with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced surveys with behavioral analytics? Combine: How can you merge user testing with predictive modeling? Adapt: What techniques from anthropology can you use to understand your market? Modify: How can you tweak your product to solve adjacent problems? Put to another use: How can you use your product-market fit data for partnerships? Eliminate: What assumptions about your market can you challenge? Reverse: How would your approach change if you built a market around your product instead of vice versa?
8. Scaling Strategy Prompt: Reimagine your startup’s scaling approach using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced rapid scaling with slow, sustainable growth? Combine: How can you merge vertical integration with horizontal expansion? Adapt: What scaling techniques from franchises can you apply to your startup? Modify: How can you adjust your organizational structure to facilitate scaling? Put to another use: How can you use your scaling challenges as content for thought leadership? Eliminate: What processes can you automate or outsource to scale efficiently? Reverse: How would your scaling strategy change if you focused on depth rather than breadth?
9. Innovation Process Prompt: Transform your startup’s innovation process with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced brainstorming sessions with silent idea generation? Combine: How can you blend design thinking with lean startup methodology? Adapt: What techniques from improv comedy can you use to boost creativity? Modify: How can you change your ideation process to include more diverse perspectives? Put to another use: How can you apply your innovation process to solve internal challenges? Eliminate: What barriers to innovation can you remove in your company culture? Reverse: How would your innovation strategy change if you focused on making existing products obsolete?
10. Pivot Strategy Prompt: Innovate your approach to pivoting using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced your current target market with an entirely new one? Combine: How can you merge elements of your original idea with new market needs? Adapt: What successful pivot strategies from other startups can you learn from? Modify: How can you tweak your core technology to serve a different purpose? Put to another use: How can you repurpose your existing resources for a new business direction? Eliminate: What aspects of your current business model can you let go to enable the pivot? Reverse: How would your pivot strategy change if you worked backward from your desired company vision?

Prompts for Product Managers

Ready to jazz up your product management game?

We’re about to dive into the SCAMPER symphony, where your ideas will dance to the tune of innovation.

No more playing it safe—it’s time to remix, reimagine, and revolutionize your product strategies.

So, grab your conductor’s baton, and let’s orchestrate some product magic!

1. Feature Enhancement Prompt: Apply SCAMPER to enhance your product features. Substitute: What if you replaced a manual feature with an automated one? Combine: How can you merge two existing features to create a new, powerful functionality? Adapt: What features from popular apps can you adapt to your product? Modify: How can you tweak a feature to make it more user-friendly? Put to another use: How can an existing feature be repurposed for a different use case? Eliminate: What redundant features can you remove to simplify the product? Reverse: How would the feature change if you started with the end goal and worked backward?
2. User Experience (UX) Design Prompt: Innovate your UX design using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced text-based navigation with voice commands? Combine: How can you blend visual design with haptic feedback for a richer experience? Adapt: What UX patterns from gaming can you adapt to your product? Modify: How can you change the layout to improve user flow? Put to another use: How can you repurpose user feedback for continuous improvement? Eliminate: What unnecessary steps can you remove to streamline the user journey? Reverse: How would the UX change if you started with the user’s final action and worked backward?
3. Product Roadmap Prompt: Reimagine your product roadmap with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced quarterly updates with continuous deployment? Combine: How can you merge short-term goals with long-term vision? Adapt: What strategic planning techniques from other industries can you apply? Modify: How can you adjust your milestones to be more flexible? Put to another use: How can you use your roadmap to align cross-functional teams? Eliminate: What low-priority items can you remove to focus on high-impact features? Reverse: How would your roadmap change if you started with the end-of-year goals and worked backward?
4. Market Research Prompt: Transform your market research approach using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced surveys with immersive user interviews? Combine: How can you merge quantitative data with qualitative insights? Adapt: What research methods from anthropology can you adapt? Modify: How can you tweak your research questions to uncover deeper insights? Put to another use: How can you repurpose research findings for marketing strategies? Eliminate: What irrelevant data points can you remove to focus on actionable insights? Reverse: How would your research strategy change if you started with the desired outcome and worked backward?
5. Pricing Strategy Prompt: Innovate your pricing strategy with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced one-time payments with a subscription model? Combine: How can you blend tiered pricing with value-added services? Adapt: What pricing tactics from luxury brands can you adapt? Modify: How can you adjust your pricing to better reflect customer value? Put to another use: How can you use pricing experiments to gather market insights? Eliminate: What hidden fees can you remove to increase transparency? Reverse: How would your pricing strategy change if you started with the customer’s budget and worked backward?
6. Product Launch Prompt: Reimagine your product launch strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced traditional press releases with viral marketing campaigns? Combine: How can you merge online and offline launch events for maximum impact? Adapt: What launch tactics from blockbuster movies can you adapt? Modify: How can you tweak your launch timeline to build anticipation? Put to another use: How can you repurpose launch content for ongoing engagement? Eliminate: What unnecessary launch activities can you remove to focus on key events? Reverse: How would your launch strategy change if you started with post-launch goals and worked backward?
7. Customer Feedback Prompt: Transform your approach to customer feedback using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced email surveys with in-app feedback? Combine: How can you merge customer feedback with social listening tools? Adapt: What feedback collection methods from retail can you adapt? Modify: How can you change your feedback process to be more engaging? Put to another use: How can you use feedback data to drive product innovation? Eliminate: What irrelevant feedback questions can you remove to focus on critical insights? Reverse: How would your feedback strategy change if you started with the desired improvements and worked backward?
8. Competitive Analysis Prompt: Innovate your competitive analysis approach with SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced traditional SWOT analysis with real-time competitor tracking? Combine: How can you blend competitive analysis with customer sentiment analysis? Adapt: What competitive strategies from tech giants can you adapt? Modify: How can you tweak your analysis to uncover hidden opportunities? Put to another use: How can you use competitive insights to refine your value proposition? Eliminate: What irrelevant competitor metrics can you remove to focus on key differentiators? Reverse: How would your competitive analysis change if you started with your unique strengths and worked backward?
9. Product Differentiation Prompt: Reimagine your product differentiation strategy using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced standard features with customizable options? Combine: How can you merge your product with complementary services for a unique offering? Adapt: What differentiation tactics from niche markets can you adapt? Modify: How can you adjust your product design to stand out visually? Put to another use: How can you use differentiation strategies to enter new markets? Eliminate: What common features can you remove to highlight your unique selling points? Reverse: How would your differentiation strategy change if you started with customer pain points and worked backward?
10. Sustainability Strategy Prompt: Transform your sustainability approach using SCAMPER. Substitute: What if you replaced non-recyclable materials with eco-friendly alternatives? Combine: How can you blend sustainability initiatives with cost-saving measures? Adapt: What sustainability practices from green startups can you adapt? Modify: How can you tweak your production process to reduce waste? Put to another use: How can you use sustainability efforts for brand storytelling? Eliminate: What unsustainable practices can you remove to improve your environmental impact? Reverse: How would your sustainability strategy change if you started with long-term environmental goals and worked backward?

Uses of SCAMPER technique in business

• Product Development: A toy company uses SCAMPER to create new variations of their popular board game by modifying the rules, combining it with digital elements, or adapting it for different age groups.

  Prompt: Imagine you’re a mad scientist tasked with mutating a beloved board game. How would you splice its DNA with a smartphone app, age it backwards for toddlers, or evolve it into a life-sized version that turns players into human game pieces?

• Service Innovation: A hotel chain applies SCAMPER to improve their guest experience, such as combining room service with local food delivery options or adapting their check-in process for contactless service.

  Prompt: Picture yourself as a hotel wizard. How could you conjure up a spell that teleports local cuisine directly to guests’ rooms, or create an invisible check-in fairy that whisks guests to their rooms without human interaction?

• Marketing Campaigns: An advertising agency uses SCAMPER to generate creative ideas for a client’s rebranding campaign, such as substituting traditional media with guerrilla marketing tactics or putting their product in another context to reach new audiences.

  Prompt: You’re a brand alchemist transforming a company’s image. How would you turn billboards into interactive art installations, or make their product the star of a flash mob? Can you reincarnate their mascot as a TikTok influencer?

• Process Improvement: A manufacturing company applies SCAMPER to streamline their production process, eliminating unnecessary steps, combining tasks, or rearranging the order of operations to increase efficiency.

  Prompt: Pretend you’re a factory floor choreographer. How would you orchestrate a ballet of machines and workers to eliminate clumsy steps, merge solos into duets, or rearrange the dance sequence for a standing ovation of efficiency?

• Packaging Design: A cosmetics brand uses SCAMPER to redesign their product packaging, adapting it for eco-friendliness by substituting plastic with biodegradable materials or modifying the shape for better shelf visibility.

  Prompt: Imagine you’re Mother Nature’s personal stylist. How would you dress up cosmetics in biodegradable couture, or reshape their outfits to strut confidently on store shelves? Can you give plastic packaging a green makeover?

• Business Model Innovation: A subscription-based service uses SCAMPER to explore new revenue streams, such as combining their offering with complementary products or adapting their model for enterprise clients.

  Prompt: You’re a business model mixologist. How would you blend your subscription cocktail with a dash of product partnerships or stir up an enterprise-strength version? Can you garnish it with a side of unexpected revenue streams?

• Customer Experience: A retail store applies SCAMPER to enhance their customer experience, eliminating long checkout lines by combining self-service kiosks with mobile payment options or adapting their layout for better product discovery.

  Prompt: Picture yourself as a retail store Jedi. How would you use the force to vanquish checkout lines, summon products to customers’ hands, or rearrange your store layout into a treasure hunt adventure?

• Human Resources: An HR department uses SCAMPER to improve their employee onboarding process, combining online training modules with in-person mentorship or modifying the duration based on job complexity.

  Prompt: You’re the HR department’s dungeon master. How would you craft an onboarding quest that combines digital challenges with real-world mentorship? Can you modify the journey based on each new hire’s character class and level?

• Supply Chain Management: A logistics company applies SCAMPER to optimize their supply chain, substituting traditional shipping methods with drone delivery for faster service or putting their fleet to another use during off-peak periods.

  Prompt: Imagine you’re a logistics superhero. How would you swap out sluggish trucks for a fleet of delivery drones, or transform your idle vehicles into mobile billboards during quiet hours? Can you bend the laws of physics to teleport packages?

• Event Planning: An event management firm uses SCAMPER to create unique corporate events, combining virtual and in-person elements for a hybrid experience or adapting a traditional conference format into an interactive workshop.

  Prompt: You’re a corporate party wizard. How would you conjure up a hybrid spell that merges virtual realms with physical spaces? Can you transfigure a stuffy conference into an immersive choose-your-own-adventure workshop?

Now, Let’s SCAMPER A Restaurant

This is a brief for using SCAMPER. You can use this method or the User Input answers [below in the AI Recipe] as you prefer.

Objective: Improve a Restaurant’s Takeout Service – A restaurant owner wants to improve her takeout service to increase sales and customer satisfaction during the pandemic.

She decides to use the SCAMPER technique to generate ideas and make improvements.

1. Substitute
   • Replace plastic takeout containers with eco-friendly, biodegradable packaging.
   • Offer a variety of healthy substitutes for side dishes, such as salads or roasted vegetables.
2. Combine
   • Combine the restaurant’s ordering system with a popular food delivery app to reach a wider audience.
   • Bundle popular menu items together as meal combos for added value and convenience.
3. Adapt
   • Adapt the menu to include more travel-friendly options, such as wraps or bento boxes.
   • Modify recipes to ensure dishes maintain their quality during transportation.
4. Modify (Magnify/Minify)
   • Increase the portion sizes of popular dishes for family-style meals.
   • Offer smaller, individual portions for customers who prefer variety or have dietary restrictions.
5. Put to another use
   • Use the restaurant’s kitchen to offer meal prep services or cooking classes during off-peak hours.
   • Partner with local businesses to provide catering services for corporate events or meetings.
6. Eliminate
   • Remove menu items that don’t travel well or have low profit margins.
   • Streamline the ordering process by eliminating unnecessary steps or information fields.
7. Reverse/Rearrange
   • Offer a “build-your-own” option where customers can customize their meals with various ingredients.
   • Rearrange the kitchen layout to create a dedicated area for takeout order preparation and packaging.

By applying the SCAMPER prompts, the restaurant owner generates creative ideas to improve her takeout service, adapt to changing customer needs, and potentially increase sales during challenging times.

AI Recipe For SCAMPER

• For this AI recipe, we shall use the RATS Framework, an elegant method I have developed for writing prompts. It provides the context clues and structure to help GPTs frame and answer problems. We shall also combine all the steps of SCAMPER in this method
• Before using RATS prompts, ensure you have clearly defined the problem and constraints using the Problem Statement or Product Brief Methods from Phewture.
• If this this your first foray on Phewture, do familiarize yourself with the Basics of Prompting.

Begin Prompt

Complete the tasks outlined below one step at a time. After each step ask for my permission before moving on to the next step. If a step takes more than one message to complete, send “Continue” to proceed to the next message. Provide a complete detailed response without worrying about message length. Let me know when you are ready for me to provide the brief.

Step 1: Gather User Inputs [Fill this up if you haven’t written a brief]

Welcome! Let’s start by gathering some information about the product or service you want to improve. Please provide the following details:

1. What specific product or service are you focusing on? Describe the product or service you want to enhance using the SCAMPER technique.
2. What is the primary objective or goal you want to achieve with this improvement? Clearly outline the desired outcome, such as increasing customer satisfaction, boosting sales, or enhancing efficiency.
3. Who is the target audience or the stakeholders involved in this initiative? Identify the key demographics or stakeholders, such as customers, employees, or partners.
4. What are the current perceptions or challenges associated with this product or service? Share any existing beliefs, misconceptions, or challenges related to the product or service.
5. What constraints or limitations should be considered while addressing this problem? List any specific limitations, such as budget, time, or resources, that must be considered.

Once you provide these details, please let me know when you’re ready to proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Apply the SCAMPER Technique

Thank you for providing the details. Now, let’s apply the SCAMPER technique using the information you’ve shared.

[Role]: Assume the role of an experienced innovator or business strategist, using the SCAMPER Thinking Technique to enhance the product or service.

• Generate creative ideas using the seven SCAMPER prompts.
• Adapt products, services, and processes to changing customer needs.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Evaluate and prioritize ideas based on feasibility and potential impact.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement ideas effectively.

[Avatar]: The target audience for this initiative includes:

• Business owners and managers looking to improve their product or service.
• Professionals seeking to adapt to changing customer preferences and market conditions.
• Entrepreneurs and small business owners in the relevant industry.

[Topic]: Improve the specified product or service using the SCAMPER technique.

[Task]: Generate 35 ideas for enhancing the product or service by applying the SCAMPER prompts.

[Structure]: Generate Ideas as below:

• Substitute:
• Combine:
• Adapt:
• Modify (Magnify/Minify):
• Put to another use:
• Eliminate:
• Reverse/Rearrange:

[Style/Tone]: Maintain a professional and motivational tone throughout the content. Ensure clarity and accuracy while engaging the reader with actionable insights.

End Prompt

AI Tools that you use

You can use any one of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini Pro, or the free llama 3 LLM for trying out the techniques discussed on Phewture.

Or if you crave variety, then use Perplexity,ai [select Perplexity, or Claude Models], or Poe [select from multiple models such as Claude. GPT4, etc].

Read this article on Phewture for how to install LLMs on your desktop.

Next Steps

1. The SCAMPER Technique is part of a number of Creative Thinking Models we explore at Phewture. There are other related techniques such as Thinking Styles, Mental Models and Problem Solving Techniques that you can play with.
2. Check the results, tweak it, play with it. See what you get.
3. Don’t forget to leave your comments below and share your joy with your friends on social media. Use the Share Icons below this post to gain some good karma.

Wish to train your in-house team on AI techniques?

Phewture offers AI-spurred training for teams. Do check out the Training Services.