What Difference Can Four Minutes Make in a Corporate Video?

If it were your career, it would make the difference between one job or another.

And if it were your company, four minutes could potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars.

Problem: How does a Fortune 500 company reduce hiring, recruiting and training costs for new hires? How can a company quickly, effectively and realistically show their culture, values and communicate their "vibe" to potential candidates ahead of time?

Answer: Produce an honest and compelling documentary featuring four diverse employees. Have the "heroes" share their personal stories about the corporate culture, the pace and rhythm of work, a typical day, the training required, the role of teams, etc. Show the real deal. Tell the real deal. A pre-written script? No, thank you.

This approach actually captures the integrity and honesty of an organization: outer actions reflects inner actions. The trust factor increases between all stakeholders.

I was actually commissioned to produce this 10 minute film. After five days of intense editing, the film runs 14 minutes. Now, I'll tell you up front; if I were asked to produce a 14 minute film, without hesitation I would say, "That's too long. Tighten it up."

This film proved me wrong.

Throughout the editing process, I realized something I haven't realized in a long time; more time can tell a story better than less time.

Those extra four minutes can, and will, change someone's world for the better. And the change could go either way. "Thanks for telling me more of your story. Hire me. I'm a great candidate." Or, "No thanks. I'll pass."

Both parties win either way.

This 14 minute story is actually better than a 10 minute story. In video, that's rare.

Just like honesty.

---Tom

Comments

[Robert Hruzek]

So...less isn't ALWAYS more, eh? Why limit yourself to 6 words when you really need 8?

Very good lesson, Tom. As my good buddy Horace used to say, "I struggle to be brief, and become obscure."