What is the story that goes with the above painting?
When have we presented an image that makes sense to us, but to an outsider, the narrative is too obscure to grasp?
Story
Connection
Memory
Researchers asked people to draw different corporate logos from memory. The results are fascinating and provide insight into what we recollect. What if you were asked to draw your organization’s logo? How about writing down the mission statement? Can you list the three biggest expenses and revenue categories? What is the name of the summer intern at the nonprofit you engage with the most? What was the name of the last author you saw speak in person?
Like the image posted above, we all have some degree of memory and can respond to the prompts. Our fidelity to the actual answers might be marginal. As an interesting corollary, ask respondents for the three most important things about your enterprise. Is there a contrast between the basic components and their responses? It might be illuminating.
Connecting Over History
Barbie: The Exhibition is currently on display at the London Design Museum. It is a retrospective of Barbie’s life from her invention in 1959 to the present day. One of the palpable parts of the experience is how many adults find themselves reliving their childhood as they walk between the galleries. Common refrains include,’ I had that Barbie, my friend had that outfit, we still have that Dream House.’ There is a combination of nostalgia and renaissance, aide by the return of Barbie to a greater social consciousness after the Barbie (2023) movie.
What history connects your fans with your enterprise. Is it a person, event, program, decision, structure, critical communication, disaster, or service? What focuses your fans on the events of the past?
Energy
How does your energy vary between arrival and departure from a destination? A sense of place is a major influence, home versus new location. Do we arrive with anticipation and depart with satisfaction? Are we descending into anxiety and ascending with relief?
What emotions are we trying to elicit when we join a cause, and what do we hope to feel as we move on to the next enterprise?
Awww vs Facts
Sometimes, art touches us in a way that a coherent case based on the best facts does not. There are occasions when a well-placed design does more than any paragraph might. I am not sure I found the right Polar Bar when doing a quick internet search, but their design makes me curious to learn more. How might we embrace the aesthetics embedded in our purpose?
I Am Not Here to Save You
In the Netflix series Queen’s Gambit, Jolene tells Beth, “I am not your guardian angel. I am not here to save you; I can barely save me. I am here because you need me to be here. It is what family does.”
Who are you here for? Who is part of your family? Otherwise, we are rescue beacons waiting to be activated.
The Family Tree
Sometimes it takes a better graphic to help us comprehend how we are connected. Or you get create an algorithm, like Wolframalpha to map our connections.
Courtesy Call
“This is a courtesy call to remind you that your membership is expiring.”
Is the purpose of a courtesy call for the member’s benefit or for the organization? Is the intent to maintain a financial relationship or to engage community? What would it feel like if the courtesy call was a personal call. A chance to connect and have a conversation. What if we knew our members so well that the last thing we mentioned on a call was their expiring membership?
What-if-concepts 