Engage

Enterance Customization

There are many entrances to Central Park in New York City. As a special touch, there are twenty unique gates (entrances) along the six-mile perimeter of the park. Some are self-evident. The Children’s Gate leads to the Central Park Zoo and adjoining playgrounds. The Artist Gate is reflective of the cultural buildings nearby. And other gates (Woodsman, Miners, and Pioneers) are a nod to those critical to the city’s founding.

How might we use customized entrances as a way to welcome, honor, and celebrate those who are critical to our success.

Context

The Women of the RNLI Exhibit provides depth and dimension to the work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in the United Kingdom. Throughout the exhibit, the impact of the RNLI’s work is highlighted, especially the fact that the institution receives no government support and relies on philanthropy to fund its operations. Making the cost of operations visible is challenging, but when done well, it educates, engages, and calls us to action.

How might we make our work more visible?

Please Review Your Item

A hardware store emailed the other day and asked for a review of the three-foot wood dowel I purchased. I received a second request identifying the wood dowel as an item that had not been reviewed, and the store was seeking input. If I did review the item, I am not sure it would benefit future customers.

How might we ask for feedback on experiences and items that alter the course of our work? If we ask for a review of everything or uniform items, we might be frustrating our fans instead of offering a chance to delight future users.

Enter Here

How we welcome those we aspire to serve makes a difference, and it establishes a mindset and displays our core values. There is an opportunity to design with intention, engage, inspire, and energize. Equally, one can create the mundane, limit expectations, and secure the lowest common denominator. How do you welcome your team members? Is it unique and worthy of comment, or does it feel like roll call in a high school classroom?