When You Hear "Corporate Video..."

...what do you think of?

For over 40 years, organizations have used corporate videos for any number of purposes; promotional, recruiting, sales, executive communications, corporate identity and more.

You've seen them. What do you think?

What works? What doesn't? In this "age of conversation," what do corporate videos need now more than ever before?

Drop me a note. I'd love to hear from you.

---Tom

What do corporate videos need

"Let's See That Again!"

It's in. It's done.

A month ago, Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton announced their idea to quickly publish an e-book on "The Age of Conversation." 100 amazing authors. 100 different conversations. One incredible cause.

"Let's See That Again!" is my 400 word riff to help you create remarkable conversations from authentic corporate videos. Yup...corporate videos actually do ignite amazing conversations.

I'll post a link when the book is available.

---Tom

The Age of Conversation

Jibber Jobber "Gets It"

...and now for something completely different.

Jibber Jobber is the perfect personal relationship manager for anyone seeking to optimize their network of relationships. Jibber Jobber is more than just a job search tool and contact management system. Think of it as a personal tool to manage your every aspect of you career.

Jason Alba is the architect behind Jibber Jobber. His blog is jammed packed with topics from social networking and personal branding to technology to the latest tools...all designed to help you manage every aspect of your career.

Jason decided to create his own "relationship tool" when he realized that the current tools available for job seekers were not filling his own job search needs. Jibber Jobber has tons of unique and customizable tools to help you in every way, no matter what your profession or what stage in your career you are in.

Jason's own efforts at branding Jibber Jobber has resulted in the Jibber Jobber, "You Get It" award. The award features people who "use technology (yes, heavy on the bloggers) to quantify their breadth, depth and passions." In other words...recognizing those who embrace technology for personal branding efforts.

Thank you, Jason, for recognizing me with your "You Get It" award.

---Tom

P.S. Many thanks to Phil Gerbyshak at Make It Great! for pointing me to Jibber Jobber. And to Liz Strauss for the tag line, "Let's see that again!"

Jibber Jobber

No “Sticks” Allowed

It’s a peculiar combination: organizations and documentaries.

Well, not really. Here’s why.

In 1960, filmmakers DA Pennebaker and Drew Associates developed a mobile camera and sound system that enabled big, bulky cameras to fit on their tiny shoulders. Almost overnight, sights and sounds could be captured with little or no interruption to those around them.

The camera tripod, called “sticks” by film crews, now evaporated on many sets.
Filmmakers could be a “fly on the wall.” Almost overnight, the documentary format was born.

Documentaries for organizations were a real possibility. Finally, companies could capture their own story directly from within; not re-created somewhere else, like in a cavernous studio with a "talking head" pointing at a flip chart.

This "hand-held" camera innovation created endless possibilities and benefits for organizations, like:

1. Producing and owning their own documentary program.
2. Recording many scenes at work without a lot of set-up time and trouble.
3. Capturing a sense of “immediacy” and “reality” within the company.
4. Filming “real” people doing “real” things in “real” environments.
5. Affordable production costs with small crews and portable gear.

“Sticks, anyone?”

“No thanks. I’ll pass.”

---Tom

Corporate Documentaries

What are the Two Biggest "Dips" in Every Corporate Video?

Imagine this. What would happen if you knew ahead of time when to quit something: a project, a job, a relationship?

Seth Godin's new book, "The Dip," helps you figure out exactly that. When to quit... and when to stick.

The "dip" is that "long slog between starting and mastery." The "dip" separates the beginner from the expert. It's that place where people quit just when a little extra effort would take them through the "dip" and on to the "other side." To become a superstar. To be a winner. To be, as Seth says,"the best in the world."

Here are eight "dips" facing every organization or individual:
1. MANUFACTURING DIP
2. SALES DIP
3. EDUCATION DIP
4. RISK DIP
5. RELATIONSHIP DIP
6. CONCEPTUAL DIP
7. EGO DIP
8. DISTRIBUTION DIP

Now, let's plug in your corporate video. What are the two biggest "dips" facing every corporate video project? And when do they occur?


1. The "RISK DIP." This happens at the beginning of every video project.
2. The "DISTRIBUTION DIP." This happens at the end of every video project.

The "RISK DIP" occurs when you go for "safe." Instead of risking an authentic story with un-scripted interviews, many corporate videos take the safe route...crafting predictable, disengaging and unemotional messages. Bang! They hit the "RISK DIP." Decide in the beginning to take a risk. Decide where the risk is. And then decide if the risk will help you create a video that's the "best in the world." If not, why bother?

The "DISTRIBUTION DIP" occurs when you realize few people can actually see your story. Decide in the beginning you need to create a"best in the world" distribution system for your video. It's not brain surgery. What IS hard is figuring out how you are going to distribute your "best in the world" video when you are done with your project. Bang! You just hit another "dip:" the "DISTRIBUTION DIP."

Knowing your "dips" ahead of time can help you create a corporate video that's the "best in the world" and worth talking about.

---Tom

The Dip and Corporate Videos