Congratulations to The adidas Group, for achieving the ‘User Experience Design & Content Management’ award at the recent Intra.Net Awards! The group gained 2nd place for its innovative and inspiring a-LIVE intranet, which seamlessly connects a previously disjointed array of information for their global workforce (from business applications to internal social media) ‘in a progressive and clean design that is fun to use’.
In keeping with the group’s principles, consumer focus, efficiency and speed were all at the forefront of the design.
A smart search function was integral to the functionality and success of the group’s new digital home. Taking inspiration from the Google search bar, we combined the ‘a’ device of the adidas logo with the search field to create a truly unique and interactive identity – ensuring employees have quick and easy access to the information and tools they need.
We’re proud to have worked in partnership with adidas on developing the a-LIVE brand and multi-channel intrigue, launch and adoption campaign to achieve such an accolade, and most importantly… involve a global army of digital ‘a-LOVERS’!
Leadership cannot be a solitary task. Even Steve Jobs at Apple failed miserably in the early days because he failed to mobilise his trusted board of directors.
A leader is nowhere without their trusted advisors. A great leader realises that to be truly effective, they must act with their community.
It is the only way to affect real change.
“Some of the greatest accomplishments in business, politics, and culture have come not from individual initiative alone but from those working in, with, and for community.”
When facing challenges or obstacles, the leader is always stronger with the weight of their team behind them. In isolation, the power of a leader is limited. Few of us are strong enough to face trying situations alone.
A leader that is dedicated purely to their own personal glory will always fail to reach their full potential. We are all better leaders when we seek counsel, advice and support within our business community.
If you are going to lead by example, you have to lead from within your team. How are you supposed to project the behaviours and values you expect onto your employees from an inaccessible parapet?
The buoying power of your team cannot be overestimated. They can lift you and your organisation to lofty heights and carry it forward. You have been chosen as a leader not because you are better than the rest of your team. You are in that position of responsibility because you demonstrated the qualities and attributes necessary to galvanise and involve the team, to empower them to lead themselves.
If you are lucky enough to be leading a fully involved community of employees, then you have a great power at your fingertips. Mobilise the power of that community, and your potential is endless.
If you would like to know more about how to act with your community, please do not hesitate to get it touch.
Comments Off on Using Graphic Facilitation To Overcome Cultural And Language Barriers
“Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.”
Walt Disney
In today’s global marketplace, offices and workspaces are naturally becoming increasingly multicultural. The way we do business has changed.
So, we have to change the way we communicate.
“Communicators need to face the reality of how employees’ experience their day-to-day working lives and ensure engagement, clear line-of-sight, streamlined processes, and a healthy, progressive business.”
A multicultural workplace is a wonderfully complex melting pot of backgrounds, languages and cultures. Language is therefore no longer the most effective way to get across key strategic information.
Do you find that cultural and language barriers complicate your internal communications strategy?
Why not try drawing it?
Graphic Facilitation
Facilitation n. the art of leading people through processes toward agreed upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation, ownership, and creativity from all involved.
Graphic facilitation is a clear and engaging way of communicating your internal communications strategy that transcends cultural and language barriers. In fact, using images to communicate ideas far predates modern language. Our Neanderthal forebears were using cave paintings to communicate themselves long before the spoken word existed.
Graphic facilitation not only strengthens understanding, but it also helps to break down cultural divides and differences. It is a non-threatening translation of content that relies on visual stimulation rather than verbal cues, thereby avoiding any confusion.
80% of human beings are proven to learn visually. Graphic facilitation is a universal language that taps into our natural instincts – no matter what our culture, background or spoken language. Visualisation techniques can help team members to digest an abstract or complex idea in a much shorter space of time, irrespective of culture or first language.
The effective use of this invaluable tool means better collaboration, more creativity and better understanding. You need to be sure that ALL employees and team members walk away with a clear understanding of what was presented to them, and that employees are not penalised for their cultural or language differences.
Universal Involvement
Our goal as leaders is universal involvement. It is vital, therefore, that you use every tool at your disposal to make sure that neither language nor culture is a barrier to that.
If you would like to know more about how we could help you communicate your internal communications strategy visually, please give us a call today!
