The Idea Midwife

Why Games Work When Goals Don't

I'm lucky. I did not play any organized team sports growing up. And I didn't participate in any competitions like spelling bees, dance recitals, or science fairs. And I never quite got the hang of playing the clarinet in 6th grade band. So for me, the idea of playing a game calls to mind a casual neighborhood round of soccer-baseball (a.k.a kickball), or attempting to jump rope for as long as possible without missing, while simultaneously reciting some weird story about a girl with a name that begins with A, then B, etc. and adding fancy steps until I tripped on my sneaker laces. Pretty low risk. No Olympic dreams. No athletic scholarships. And no, sports wise, I really never "could a been a contender." My history leaves me blessed with a rather childlike concept of play. I think playing a game is...well, fun. Your mileage may vary.

With this blessed perspective, here are some reasons why I think games work when goals don't:

• Playing a game lightens the performance burden. We are "just playing" after all. No one expects to be perfect. We are energized to keep trying new things.
• Playing begins with, and perpetuates a love of the game.
• Playing fully engages all of our senses, and thereby unlocks abundant creative resources.
• We more naturally identify simple, measurable steps. We can make those steps as easy or as challenging as we wish. I'm a big fan of easy -- not because I'm afraid of hard work. I'm a fan of easy because an easy task gets me into the game, then my natural curiosity and desire take over.
• If it isn't working, we can make-up new rules or call a do-over.
• It's fun to keep score. Is there anyone who doesn't love amassing shiny gold stars? (Please, it's not just me, is it?).
• A game naturally creates an environment that is designed for success. When we play a game, we think about things like equipment, and practice, and coaches, and fans. We learn or create rules that help us win. We begin to hone in on the actions that really make the difference (Just connect with the ball, don't try to knock it out of the park every time). Pick any game metaphor you like, and you have an instant framework for moving forward on something you want to be doing.

And, hello, we are playing here. It is supposed to be messy and chaotic, and loud, and punctuated by belly laughs. A lot like life.

Cats & Marketing - Part 3

In part one I explored Norton's approach to marketing (attracting sustenance). In part two, we saw how Kramer, my other furry guru, manages his approach to getting what he needs or wants. In each approach there are lots of reasons to conclude that you should not leave the cats in charge of your marketing.

Then again, maybe they're on to something: These furry little VPs of Marketing are spot on effective. Their approach to the customer is authentic, deeply connected with what is important to them, and only a moderate energy investment. Their action arises in the moment, based on their assessment of the situation (she moved...time to eat!). And while they have preferred individual approaches, they are willing to change strategies a bit if it doesn't seem to be working. They will often partner strategically with each other (abundance mindset - there's enough to go around). And, blissfully, sometimes they just let the purpose driven activity rest and hang out for a while enjoying the customer's company. Because, you know, as long as everyone is getting what they need, the relationship rules.

Norton & Kramer's Quick Guide to Marketing:

 Top 5 things to avoid:

1. It's best to not wait until you are starving to connect with your customer.
2. Staring at an empty bank account does not create sales.
3. Don't get underfoot, it can really be annoying (and annoying the customer is really not the best way to go).
4. Don't get frustrated if you don't get a result after a single action.
5. Don't bite.

10 things that work:

1. Flaunt your unique style.
2. Be in relationship with your customers daily.
3. Be a little entertaining.
4. Be willing to give a little something (add value), just for the fun of it.
5. Step back from time to time to get perspective.
6. Lavish your attention on your "right fit" customers rather than trying to please everyone.
7. Talk to your customers, and invite feedback from them.
8. Be creative in getting your message in front of your customer.
9. Make it as easy as possible for your customer to buy.
10. Take time regularly to just purr.

Why You Shouldn't Leave the Cat in Charge of Your Marketing - Part 2

In Part 1, I explored one cat's approach to marketing (attracting sustenance). Now in Part 2, we'll consider how Kramer, my other furry guru, manages his approach to getting what he needs; and once again there are lots of parallels to marketing strategies.

As a reminder, for this exploration, consider food and attention (sustenance) as the equivalent of sales/income (sustenance). Kramer's actions and antics are his marketing strategy and tactics. I am the Customer because I have the sustenance and Kramer wants some. He really wants some. 

Unlike his buddy, Norton, Kramer tends toward a more sleek and sophisticated style, but he is not af raid to flaunt his quirks. He can be a kind of "outside the box" guy (literally, but we don't need to go there.) And even more so then Norton, Kramer is perfectly content to ignore the Customer until he needs sustenance. In fact, he sets a whole new standard on what it means to ignore the Customer.

The foundation of Kramer's marketing strategy is quid pro quo...I'll do something for you, you give me food. And he has two categories of "something" that he gives in order to gain: entertainment and gifts with intention.  Here's how it starts...

Why You Shouldn't Leave the Cat in Charge of Your Marketing

This is Norton. He is one of my two furry feline gurus. This week, Norton and his buddy Kramer (you'll meet him later) have been teaching me different approaches to marketing. It started like this: they were being totally annoying (as only cats can be), because they were ABSOLUTELY STARVING!! But each was using a very different approach to get what they wanted. And I got to thinking that their actions were beginning to look like individual marketing approaches. Let's take a closer look...

Sudoku Teachings, Part 2

Today, I'm working on a puzzle I am finding particularly difficult. Truth to tell...I started it days ago and still haven't finished it! I am completely stuck. I tried everything I knew to do and still no solution. My usual strategies had always been successful...until now. I keep moving the partially completed puzzle around as if being in a different physical space will cause the solution to magically appear. (Heck, sometimes that works for me -- get out of the office for a little breather and shazam! a solution just pops up).

I was even ready to "cheat" by finding the printed solution and taking a quick peek for "inspiration."  I had my rationalization all ready -- "It wasn't really cheating it was a new learning strategy:  start with the answer and work my way back." I suppose it is no coincidence that I have found probably the only puzzle collection that does not include the answers neatly tucked "in the back" or "just a click away."  Then it struck me...suduko was ready to teach me a new lesson. Was I ready to learn?

The Sudoku Puzzle Approach to Creative Business Planning

I admit it. I've become addicted to sudoku puzzles. And, they are showing up in my life in weird ways. Just the other day I was talking with a delightful group of entrepreneurial women on the verge of launching new businesses. We were commiserating about the challenges of writing a business plan. It seems so left-brained and not so much fun. Then, it occurs to me...writing a business plan, planning a product launch, creating a marketing strategy -- really any  "big hairy project" -- is kind of like a sudoku puzzle. The Teacher is at hand...consider if you will the lessons of the sudoku puzzle: 

1. Start with the "rules" of what you are creating -- they provide a container to hold your creation.
2. Do the easy things first -- they will usually open doors to complete the tasks that seem harder at the start.
3. Work in pencil and have an eraser handy -- use tools that allow you to easily take risks and make changes.
4. Follow the emerging order of what you are creating. Step-by-step is not always a straight line.
5. A fresh perspective provides new answers. What is unclear when viewed in one way, becomes obvious when viewed in another.
6. Sometimes it goes painstakingly slow, sometimes it ripples quickly -- that's just how it is. Take advantage of your momentum by going fast when things are rippling; let yourself slow down when the pace needs to be more painstaking. The ebb and flow is natural.
7. Struggling does not create progress. Stop banging your head against the answer that just won't come. Move on to a different part of the puzzle.
8. Feeling stuck is an invitation to explore a different area-- if you can't find the solution now, it could be because there is other information that needs to happen first before this box can be solved.
9. Savor the feeling accomplishment when you solve a piece of the puzzle -- and use that delicious feeling to inspire you forward.
   

The Power of A Good Story

I love a good story. Don't you? Stories work on us, they take us places, and they let us plumb the depths of our wisdom for new ways to look at familiar challenges. Metaphors challenge, confound, entertain, and change us.

At any moment, we can choose to invoke the power of story to create a new result. As a coach, I frequently use stories and metaphor to help people move from being stuck, into practical action; from defining a situation as a problem, to seeing how it is a steppingstone. And stories and metaphor are everywhere. You can’t take a half a step in any direction without bumping into a whole bunch of them -- in a book, a poem, a quote, a conversation, inspirational writings, a song, graffiti, a personal belief, a folk tale, a prayer, an email, a wish, a joke, a movie, a commercial, on a bumper sticker…heck, everything has a story just waiting to inspire you.

Birthing Ideas is Like Birthing Babies

Why  "idea midwife?" Creating, like birthing, is a natural process, with its own ebb and flow, phases, moments of wonder, times when special attention or effort is required, and times when, now matter how much you might want to, pushing is not a good idea.  Let yourself be informed and supported by this natural cycle as you bring your creative ideas to life. Consider what phase of development your idea is in, and take actions to support and encourage its development and your well being -- keeping in mind that, unlike birthing babies, when you birth innovation the gestation period can vary wildly -- and you can take a step back, in order to move forward.