It's That Simple: A Manifesto for the 2008 Age of Conversation

This past week, 275 authors submitted their articles for publication in "The Age of Conversation: Why Don't People Get It."

I was delighted to be a part of the first edition available at Amazon.com. Now it's time to participate in the second book!

Here's what I've been thinking lately...

At some deep and personal level, I believe we are all seeking meaning to our lives within the context of our existing relationships. People want and need to connect with other people. We want to understand one another. It's really not a difficult concept to grasp. As a matter of fact, I believe it's that simple.

I also believe nonfiction video storytelling for organizations can open doors to initiate conversations that can ultimately help create a better understanding of who we all are. Again, not brain surgery.
It's that simple.

So it was this idea that was the inspiration behind my manifesto for the new book. It's titled:

"It's That Simple: How smart people in smart companies use real video stories to create real emotional connections."

The manifesto is a "call to action." Hopefully, it will inspire people to capture nonfiction personal video stories as a way to initiate conversations with their viewers. To simply deepen our understanding with one another.

Here's how "It's That Simple" ends...

Our stories help us to understand one another. And understanding one another is the first step to transforming the world.

It’s that simple.

I'll keep you posted when the book is available for purchase.

---Tom

It's That Simple. A Manifesto for the 2008 Age of Conversation

What's Your Big Idea?

IF,

as a filmmaker,

• I ever stop wondering about the mysteries of life;

• I don't teach people what I'm doing everyday to make this world a better place through my craft as a filmmaker;

• I forget to laugh every day;

• I fail to ask questions that will enlighten the journey for others;

• I think and act like I know everything;

• I fail to enable the voices of others;

• Listening compassionately becomes a chore;

• I wake up thinking my story doesn't effect anyone else;

• I fail to listen to my intuition which acts like a "True North" radar;

• I don't realize our inherent power to create greatness in this world;

• I keep my eyes closed and neglect to constantly seek out new sources of inspiration;

• I think there's a perfect formula for every video story, or for that matter, a formula for life;

THEN

I absolutely have no way to become better as a filmmaker.

Hat tip to Mike Sansone for inspiring me to get this out of my heart and into the world.

If you're interested, here's the original statement from Carl Glickman's book, Leadership for Learning: How to Help Teachers Succeed.

While this concept was originally intended for teachers, as a filmmaker I feel I have been teaching something to someone every day. For instance:

• Teaching new clients what will happen on their video journey.

• Teaching people in my life that their personal story really does makes a difference to others.

• Teaching people how to break into the field of video storytelling for organizations.

Perhaps you feel the same way. What's your "Big Idea?" What's your "IF/Then" statement?

---Tom

What's Your Big Idea?

I'm Off to Blogging School!

I'm going back to school.

Well, not really.

But I am going to be in Chicago to be a part of the "Biz School for Bloggers," otherwise know as SOBCon08.

The list of presenters alone is enough to make one go, not to mention the 100 or so "masterminds" in attendance. If last year's gig is any indicator of things to come, this year's conference is going to rock.

Oh yeah. Here's the best part. Class won't be held in a school. Unless you call this boat a class!

Be back soon.

---Tom

I'm Off to Blogging School!

Responsible Corporate Video Storytelling

As usual, my dear friend Drew McLellan has me thinking.

Between Drew's latest post on how internal corporate videos can go awry and one very long bike ride, I got to thinking about something I haven't yet written about:

• responsible corporate video storytelling.

Regular readers know how passionate I am about capturing authentic stories from people for organizations. New readers will quickly find out, for sure.

Microsoft's video may have been produced as a joke and not have been intended for external eyes.

No matter. There's a larger point.

I guess I have a hard time seeing an organization's story as a joke. Hence, seeing resources that are wasted instead of being used to help and enlighten others along their journey is hard to witness.

I would also venture to guess that the many employees who do work hard everyday at their company don't see their own personal story or their company's story as a joke, either.

Microsoft's video is now perpetuating the term many people have cringed at over the years: corporate video. Too bad. They had a unique opportunity to turn that around and create a new story. A story that could have worked at so many different levels. But they didn't.

So, we have a choice, then, don't we?

We have a choice to create a video story that inspires hope and greatness in each other. Or perhaps even create a story that points to an inner truth we all seek throughout our lives. One that says, "Yes, I can do this!"

Or we have a choice to misuse the resources given to us to create something less than great.

It comes down to one...or, the other.

My dream?

I dream that those creating corporate videos realize the inherent power a personal story can have not only for their organization, but for those around them and the world.

For nearly 25 years of capturing hundreds of passionate personal stories for organizations both large and small, I have been blessed to witness this power.

We have a voice. It's time to use it.

The planet needs it.

---Tom

Responsible Corporate Video Storytelling

Are Your Ideas Sticky? Take This Test

Got a few minutes? Feel like taking your SAT...again?

No, not that SAT! This SAT.

I think you'll have fun taking this little quiz. I did!

The "The Stickiness Aptitude Test," or SAT, was designed by The Heath Brothers and Guy Kawasaki.

For the curious, here's a portion of the score card:

• 1 to 16: Scotch Tape. You are making some ideas stick. In the right environment (e.g., your coworkers who share a similar background), you can make a difference in how people think. But your ideas don’t stick with everyone.

• 17 to 30: Duct Tape. You’re a master of making ideas stick. You can explain your ideas convincingly to VCs, customers, employees, and random bystanders. Even your 4-year-old daughter can describe your business strategy.

• 31 to 50: Superglue. Your brilliantly-crafted ideas embed themselves permanently into the brains of your audience.

Go ahead. Take the quiz. Find out how "sticky" your ideas are!

My score? 31.5. Brilliant? Uh, well, er...never mind :-)

What's your score?

---Tom

Are Your Ideas Sticky? Take This Test