Kodak sells film, but they don’t advertise film. They advertise memories.
It has been a while since I used film in a camera. But sure enough, Kodak still advertises memories not JPGs. So it should be for our projects and programs. Too often we get caught up in describing the impact of our initiatives in the wrong order:
- First, all the work that we and our team is doing.
- Second, all the great things that we’re building.
- Third, how many more resources we really need to build it right.
- Fourth… fifth…
- And finally, if we ever get around to it, we admit there may be some benefits to the project.
Of course, this approach will give audiences the wrong memories. When pitching something, one wants to draw the audience in with an enticing vision of the final destination. They don’t care so much about what it took to get there.
A more subtle problem is that focusing on work, technology, and obstacles makes one sounds self-centered The message comes across as — look at all the work I’m doing, what I’m building, how I’m suffering — as if no one else is doing the same.
A project should be advertising dreams, not drudgery!
Filed under: Branding, Business Case, Communications, Project Management | Tagged: advertising, Kodak, mission, Theodore Levitt, vision |
Good writing. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed my Google News Reader..
Matt Hanson
Hi Paul,
The most energizing projects I’ve been able to participate in have somehow been able to remain focused on the business benefits promised and ultimately delivered. The PM is definitely the lead on this.
Alec
P.S. Noticing how the quantity of posts have stepped up recently. Great work – please don’t burn out!!!