The difference is remarkably simple – it is in how you peel off the post-its.When you peel off the post-it vertically (like most people – me included – do instinctively), the post-its will curl up, stick less and fall off. However, when you peel off the post-it horizontally, it will stay in its place and wont curl. Again, yes, there is a right and a wrong way to do post-its.Then there are ‘wrong’ post-its. Lets put it this way: if you peel off cheap post-its from your local supply store the wrong, you’re sure to have them fall off. If you peel off better post-its the wrong way, there is a chance they will actually stick. It is always a great way to instantly know whether the facilitator bought the cheap knock-offs or the real deal: just peel off a post-it vertically and try and stick it to a wall.No sponsoring here, but for me, without a doubt, 3M post-its are the best. Never failed on my in all those years doing workshops.
… and then there’s the digital post-it, as used in whiteboarding tools like Mural and Miro for remote workshops. Although I do still like the feeling of having physical, tangible post-its in my hand and do appreciate the group dynamic that goes into the blood, sweet and tears of a productive workshop, there is clear value in remote workshops where you use digital post-its.
Because of the structure, workshops tend to go faster and with less noise. Captured ideas are digital, so easily captured, and re-used in the rest of the product design, innovation or customer experience process or in something as simple as a recap.There are always ways to improve your meeting design and facilitation skills. Even on the detailed level of something simple like post-its. There is a right way and a wrong way to use post-its. There are better post-its. And then there are the best (?!) post-its.
