Worthy, Worthless, and Worth a Damn
I've got more drama in this finger...
The use of drama (and by that I mean in video form) in change management communications has grown steadily over the last decade. Even though it’s more expensive than a flash animation, powerpoint slide pack, or interview with the CEO, it is seen as a way of getting the message across without hurting anyones feelings. Many a true word said in jest and all that…
The problem with so much corporate video drama is that so often they break the fundamental rule of storytelling. In that there can BE no drama without conflict. You know – the clashes and crashes that make great stories. The unforeseen, the personalities, the acts of God. The sex and the fighting. But in our litigious politically correct corporate cultures we are compelled to strive for harmony. Well – frankly – that sucks. Harmony is dull. Harmony is safe. Nobody notices harmony. No one remembers harmony and harmony just means the same as treading water – the status quo. Ever noticed how peaceful people look when they’re dead – yes – harmony.
So the best you can do is barely keep your heads above water? Great. I’ll take two tickets to that.
No – what we need is drama that competes with real TV drama – and I’m of course including comedy in here. Make it great. Make it memorable -abide by the same values they do when commissioning comedies or dramas for television. You know, the stuff people want to watch.
Please don’t misunderstand – not every film needs to be a harrowing account of one mans struggle to fight and shag his way through life. There are infinite ways we can create drama – and comedy – often with very effective subtle nuances. But it has to be authentic. And to be authentic, we just need to release our grip on the corporate culture just a little so that it can be effectively noticed and remembered.
The best programmes do this. What do you think? Is there a place for drama in corporate communications?
And by drama, I don’t mean a someone saving the world from the comfort of his PDA.
The Cynic
on February 15th, 2010
Spot on! Ordinary people wear a suit and enter an office building and all of a sudden they lose their personality or ability to relax.
I believe the sign of a mature organisation, is one that is self-aware and confident to the degree it doesn’t mind making fun of itself.
Reminds me of those Orange adverts you see in the cinema, funny, self-deprecating but sells the message really well. Don’t let a mobile ruin your experience. In the same vein, lets not let boring, narrow-minded twerps ruin our working environments any more!
Take your work seriously, not yourself.