Have you made connecting with your organization a dynamic and memorable part of your organization? Often we find uninspired first impression because an organization has focused all its resources on their key feature. Many car show rooms reflects this approach. If we hide then many potential fans are going to get lost or frustrated on their way to find us. Upon reaching the historic Dutch craft village of Zaanse Schans outside Amsterdam, a device resembling a slot machine greeted us. The kids were so impressed that they each took a turn pulling the large lever and took the map that appeared in the slot. If the maps had been left out on a shelf under a rock to hold them in place the kids would have shown no interest. Their first interaction at the village was unique which set a different expectation for the entire experience.
Author: whatifconcepts
Visible
Vision statements have multiplied in front of me this week. Authentic vision statements are challenging to craft. We want to tell people exactly where we are going and dispense with aspirations since details feel actionable. A vision should tell us which remarkable journey is worthy of loading on supplies and raising the sails. A vision is does not need a confirmed itinerary and we can point with a finger to a general direction on the map for which we intend to set course. A vision gives us an emotional assessment if boarding your ship to join the adventure is significantly compelling. We can sort out the details later.
A Better Bag
I have never had the opportunity to shop at an Ikea store but I am aware that they make a great bag. Wandering the streets of European cities the bags are clearly treasured for their functionality. I have spotted them strapped to bicycles in Amsterdam, placed in the rear window of Smart Cars in Paris, over shoulders in the Gothic district of Barcelona, and at a construction site in Florence. I cannot speak to the quality of Ikea’s furniture or famous meatballs but I am confident they make a remarkable bag. Sometimes we create something simple that transforms everyday life.
The Benefit of Sharing
A whole bunch of books is not remarkable in itself. However, when the collection represents the lifetime assemblage of art history texts, as is pictured above from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, it serves as a beacon for those who share a passion for the arts. There is a fine line between hording and assembling. Hording is for our own benefit, cataloging is for the benefit of others.
Danger is Different than Fear
Chris Hadfield’s TedTalk captures the value of pushing through our fears in order to see our world differently. A question he challenges for all of us is what have we withheld from ourselves in deference to our fears? Would you be willing to experience space despite the eye-opening risk? How would a moment in space forever change your perspective? What does ‘roaring silently’ sound like? What does a sunrise or sunset every 45-mintues look like? What is on the other side of your fears?
Breakaway
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A breakaway is a powerful tool. Going off the front and inspiring others to increase their pace leads to better results. Racing in the middle of the pack is not courageous. Launching off the front does not always succeed and sometimes it results in finishing behind the pack because your energy reserves are exhausted. Being out front offers a different view, a new perspective, a chance to put your strengths to work, and be vulnerable. Leading can be scary but the stories you will generate will be endless. The pack is safe but also dusty, uninspired, and the story created is a duplication of everyone else who stayed with the masses.
Transactional Philanthropy
A transaction is not a philanthropic action. Social sector causes mistake membership renewals, silent auction bids, purchasing tables at a gala, or sponsorships of programs as philanthropic. If goods and services are exchanged in consideration for a ‘donation’ then define the interaction as transactional. However, if somebody wants to support your vision by providing fuel (money, resources, talent, networks) for your journey in exchange for the stories you share and the dent you plan to make in the community, then that interaction is philanthropic. Twisting arms, offering benefits, hyping features are transactions. Nothing wrong with this tactic but defining them as acts of philanthropy is inconsistent. Most corporations no longer practice philanthropy, their transactions with social sector enterprises are approved by the marketing department who is thinking of the corporation’s positioning as well as the the nonprofit’s success. Transactions can be a powerful tool but the motivation of the contributors are different from the true philanthropist. Consider the following question, who takes your calls when you offer only the stories that come from the pursuit of our organization’s vision? Those are your philanthropist.
Internal Inquiry
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| Thanks reddit |
A culture of inquiry is essential for growth. If we remain within the same group, surrounded by similar surroundings, rehashing the same conversations we tend to replay the greatest hits. However, if we are willing to stretch ourselves and connect with others the opportunity to innovate and expand is probable. If we wonder why we cannot think of any new ideas, then perhaps we are plugged into our own power source.
Exhaustive Search
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| Circle Credit |
Recent press releases announced job positions being filled after “exhaustive searches.”. Was the time and resources committed to the search exhaustive? Was the help wanted sign so vague that it took tremendous amounts of extra effort to find the right candidates? If you announce you are looking for a house in a modesty sized town the request can be overwhelming. I do not know where to start in aiding search. However, if you can paint a specific picture (a single story bungalow in the historic district which is close to an elementary school and has a fenced yard for a dog), I can help. Exhaustive searches come when there is not enough information to start triangulating a location or person. Exhaustive produces Venn Diagrams with too many unconnected circles.
Try It
If the journey is difficult then you know there is a higher probability the result will be remarkable.
What-if-concepts 
