INDUSTRY
Government-Hosted Business
Networking
DESIGN CATEGORY
Service Design
Behavior Design
SCOPE
Strategy Brand Creation Talks and Keynotes
TOOLS
Human-Centered Design Framework
Design Tools:
I'm Not My Business Card
The Stories In-Between
Listening With [Blank] In Mind
Unlocking Personal Brand
The Communication Equation
The Problem:
NETWORKING IS OFTEN SEEN AS A SONG AND DANCE ROUTINE, TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED WITH SELF MOTIVATED AGENDAS AND GAIN IN MIND. THIS MODEL PROMOTES A FOUNDATION OF SELF SERVICE INSTEAD OF SELFLESS SERVICES.
WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW:
When Joshua René, at The Spill Teem, first encountered a local networking scene, he noticed that there was a fundamental issue with the way that networking events were designed.
For events that are meant to form genuine, lasting connections among innovators in the local area, they felt more “stressful” and "fake" than anything else. The rigidity of networking was not designed for the way people actually behave. Feeling frustrated with the experience, Joshua left the event, thinking, "if only there were a way to craft a networking experience in a way that is human-centered..."
WHO’S OUR CLIENT?
A partnership with local economic development to serve the organizational leadership and the business community
The Design Challenge:
How Do We Craft a Networking Event
for the Way People Actually Behave?
Our Design Process...
Built event structure utilizing a Human Centered Design framework
Introduced concepts to foster deeper connection and collaboration
Defined & Designed tangible ideas around concepts
Materialized ideas by testing on other participants
Designing The Framework
With this solidifying idea, The Spill Teem designed the groundwork for how an event with such magnitude would be structured using the HCD framework.
Understand: Challenge & Concept: At each event participants empathize and define around a newly introduced concept that assist with overcoming their specific networking challenges.
Explore: Define & Design: With new skilled learning, participants ideate around the concept and design a quick prototype (way) to use it. This happens within minutes!
Materialize: Try it out!: Participants bring it all together and put it into action. They test, learn and implement on fellow participants.
Our First Event!
"I'm Not My Business Card" was the central idea introduced to a room full of leaders, marketers, business operators, and more. The event challenged the status quo to tear apart misconceptions around how people currently use their business cards to create connection.
THE PROCESS:
What did the people understand?
The audience participated in a dynamic talk that revealed that the business cards they use to create introduction and conversation are the very things they hide behind. This takes away from human connection and builds relationships around achievements and association.
What did the people explore?
Participants defined and designed a new, nontraditional business card that was aligned with the authenticity they were hoping to lead with. They prototyped a card that only contained (1) the wearer's name and (2) the value added to others. Can you imagine how this turned out!?
What did the people materialize?
Participants were able to test and implement their newly designed business card on actual people!
The Outcome
TRADITIONAL NETWORKING IS A TOOL INTENDED TO FOSTER CONNECTION THAT INSPIRES INNOVATION WITHIN COMMUNITIES. HOWEVER, THIS PURPOSE HAS BEEN LOST THROUGH SELF AMBITION. GOCONNECT ALLOWED HUNDREDS OF PARTICIPANTS TO REDISCOVER HUMAN-CENTERED WAYS OF BUILDING PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS, ACHIEVING RESULTS AND CELEBRATING SUCCESSES IN MORE COLLABORATIVE WAYS.
The Impacts
PEOPLE LOVED GO CONNECT! BECAUSE THE NOT MY BUSINESS CARD talk WAS SO SUCCESSFUL, THE SPILL TEEM WAS INSPIRED TO CREATE EVEN MORE TALKS, FILLING THE NEED FOR HUMAN CONNECTION IN NETWORKING EVENTS FOR over TWO more years! THIS INSPIRED OTHER SPILL TEEM LIVE EVENTS SUCH AS...
WITH THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF THESE TALKS, KEYNOTES and define and design EXERCISES, WE HELPED ORGANIZATIONS FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE, BUSINESSES TO BE DEVELOPED, AND PARTNERSHIPS TO BE FORMED!
“WOW?! I get it now, to be creative and innovative professionally, you have to grow personally.”
“I felt more human!”
“It was one of the most exciting and authentic experiences I’ve had.”
“I saw light bulbs flashing - I love the rekindled energy and excitement!”
