Shift and Share
Timing (mins)
Participants
What does this enable?
Shift & Share makes it easy to uncover and share innovative ideas or projects within a group, organisation, or community. Instead of lengthy presentations to a large crowd, several individuals give short, focused talks at separate “stations” to small groups. Over 10-minute sessions, participants rotate between stations, learning about the innovations, asking questions, and thinking about how they could adapt these ideas. This process not only helps spread knowledge quickly but also fosters connections and sparks new, creative combinations of ideas. Presenters also benefit by refining their message through repetition.
Why use this?
- Quickly spread innovative ideas.
- Help people recognise their own potential to innovate.
- Build trust and a sense of community.
- Highlight contributions from all levels of the group, not just leadership.
- Expose participants to new ideas and encourage collaboration.
- Spark creativity through friendly interactions.
Tips for success
- Choose presenters based on content, not presentation skills—real-world examples matter most.
- Stick to the schedule with clear signals (like a bell) for station changes.
- Help presenters prepare for the short 10-minute format.
- Make the environment fun and interactive.
Examples of use
- Helping new members understand the group’s innovations.
- Sharing tech ideas at conferences.
- Connecting two teams after a merger.
How does it work?
Start with an Invitation Ask several people to present something innovative or useful they’re working on that could benefit others. Invite the rest to visit the stations and learn.
Arrange the Space Use a large area with enough room to arrange 5-8 stations. Space them out to avoid distractions. Provide chairs for small groups and space for presenters to display materials if needed.
Who Does What? Presenters share their work at the stations. Small groups rotate between stations, with everyone having an equal chance to listen and ask questions.
Group Setup Presenters remain at their stations. The audience splits into small groups, matching the number of stations. Groups move together through the stations.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Explain the Setup: Introduce the process and form the groups: 5 minutes.
- Station Visits: Groups spend 10 minutes at each station for presentations and Q&A: 10 minutes per station.
- Feedback: Participants can provide brief comments or ask questions: 2 minutes per station.
- Switch Stations: Groups rotate to the next station: 1 minute per move.
- Repeat until all groups have visited every station. Total time for 6 stations is around 90 minutes.
