Innovative Concepts

Suspicious Minds

Why do many of us look at the “you are a winner” banner ad with such suspicion and disdain?  Many of us see these pop-up advertisements as not only annoying but as possibly the beginning of the meltdown sequence for our device.

Why then are we confused by the lack of engagement when the “donate now” button on our home page stands in the way of telling our story?  So many great causes bury their story in order to make room for the contribution channel.  Poorly executed, a “donate now” option is a bit like a lobster pot randomly tossed on the ocean floor.  Something is bound to walk in but without a strategy it may never be a lobster.

Some of the most compelling enterprises offer an vision of a compelling future.  A destination that is relevant to the reader but not easily reached.  An organization that demonstrates it is uniquely positioned to undertake the journey builds a foundation of trust.  The cause may then offer the community a chance to provide fuel for its quest.  The “donate now” button becomes an opportunity to invest in a shared belief not a trap of surprise.  The lobster pot donor interaction is transactional the visionary is aspirational.  Which model will have the most profound impact on the future of your organization?

Charles Russell’s Letters

IMG_6091The 100 Best Illustrated Letters of Charles M. Russell is a fascinating book.  The letters provide unique insights into the American West in the late-1800’s.  What makes the letters remarkable to me are the illustrations Russel added to tell a richer and more colorful story.  The drawings themselves illuminate a deep, focused experience.  Russell’s work is a great reminder that when we tell our stories the use of images adds exponential value.

Scale

IMG_6076How do we scale?  Collaboration.  We cannot do it alone.  The destination we seek requires assistance from others.  As Simon Sinek reminds us, if we were great at everything we would have no need for others.  We scale by taking our greatness and finding others who are uniquely positioned to amplify our strengths by employing their super powers.  The opportunity that exists in front of us is the result of those who went before and collaborated.

Change

John Kotter outlines an eight-step hierarchy to create change and build a new culture.  If we isolate the first three steps, it is often the starting ground for a strategic initiative.  Developing a strategy if there is not a sense of urgency or critical people are missing from the team has less likelihood of maximizing its impact.  Just because we think an opportunity or challenge is urgent does not automatically make it so for others.  If we have a personal experience that illustrates the opportunity for change, we are much more likely to act.

What is your edge?

Stars

Seth Godin posted about the concept of edgecraft a few weeks ago which offered a compelling insight into embracing that which makes us different. Along Seth’s philosophy, Jo DeBolt from La Piana Consulting asked an intriguing question today at the ED Sessions 2.0 in Boise, Idaho.

What is your edge?  How are you remarkably excellent?

Defining our edge clearly underscores how well we understand ourselves and the space we occupy.  Trying to be remarkable in a crowd is much like trying to identify stars in the night sky.  A few are remarkable because we understand their place in relationship to other night but they also dominate their location.

 

What is your edge?

What is Your Real Story

Real stories are authentic, mind blowing, perplexing, rough, silent, obscene, sudden, painful, long, joyful, and unique.  We have our elevator story, the synopsis of ours life that is worthy of a couple floors.  What is the story we would tell nightly dinner guests during a trans-Atlantic cruise?  A story so momentous that it requires breaks.  Where plot lines simply fall off into recessed depths (or do they rise out of sight) and yet we continue, undeterred.  People want to hear these stories.  The ones without editors or a communication departments.  One hundred and forty characters may grab a headline but it is hard to change my life without telling the rest of the story.

Predicting the Future

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/89394659″>Watch as 1000 years of European borders change (timelapse map)</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user7792440″>Nick Mironenko</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

Country’s borders are not static and the influence of many cultures shape our current map.  If we cannot readily predict the future of nation states then what makes us certain we can write a plan that has such clarity and certainty?  State your future potential and then take steps to move towards the destination but prepared to adapt and retrace your steps if necessary.  Who knows how the landscape will present itself tomorrow but your presence provides the meaning.  Select adventures that are worthy of your time and expertise.