So what does the process of writing a song have in common with your businesses desire to Innovate? It’s a valid question. There are a few key touch points here where Song Writing and Innovation address virtually the same challenges.
1 – Innovation, is essentially the practice of the execution of putting Creative Ideas into the realm of reality…. Making the ideas “happen” so to speak. In most successful situations, this takes a TEAM of players with a shared goal. To bring a concept, idea, new product, solution to life…takes many spokes to the same “Wheel.” Well, 90% of the biggest and most well-known, successful songs regardless of Genre from the last 100 years were written by TEAMS of songwriters. Bringing more voices to the table, utilizing a variety of skill-sets, methods, and experiences..usually will yield more desirable results in the long-view, then if not as many voices have their say.
2 – Another key similarity is that much like songwriters are constantly trying to write a perfect, original new song using all the “Same old themes” of love, loss, trucks, summer nights, social issues, jobs lost, drinking at a favorite bar etc…Businesses are constantly trying to improve upon profitability by improving services, creating new products, improving processes, making better customer service the norm. These are all old concepts. Nothing new under the sun right? Whether it’s a new love song, or a new and improved smart phone…it’s a re-packaging of an older idea. So then the difference becomes, how original is your approach, how impassioned and dedicated is your team?
Let’s look at 3 different ways to write a line of a song that ALL have the same story, or message:
- I saw her standing there, her lips so fine, and hair so long.
- There she was with her long blond hair, lip gloss on…
- As I sat at the bar, she was 8 seats away, I was trying to think of some smart words to say…
Let’s look at 3 different ways to describe a common business challenge for the airlines:
- Our on time rate has plummeted this quarter, our customers are not going to be happy. Especially those in business class.
- What do our business class guests have to say about our less then stellar trend of running behind this quarter?
- With our on-time rates suffering this past quarter, what we can learn to begin to solve this issue? Can we email our business class guests a survey to ask their advice?
You see, the process of brainstorming songwriting/lyric solutions and music solutions in a typical songwriting session in Nashville, or LA, or NYC is extremely similar to the process required to suss out creative solutions in your organization. Though we have to warn you, the process may be a bit more fun while writing a song!
What a fun way to start off the week! Thank you for your thoughtfulness and for leading a session at the conference that was truly unique and which engaged our creativity.
Heather Perdue, M.A., CFRE The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
Jeff and his team gave us exercises that allowed for critical team development. One of Jeff’s most valuable assets is his ability to empower others using songwriting as a tool. Our group was so lucky to spend an afternoon with Jeff and Michael.
Jamie Amaral, Senior Director Marketing & Sales – OIA, Inc.
Jeff’s process was fast-paced, fun and educational. It was highly interactive and it most certainly brought out the creative spirit in everyone. It was unlike any other team-building exercise that I’ve encountered. I would encourage any group wanting a unique and meaningful team-building experience to work with Jeff. It is time well spent.
Anita J. Day, Co-founder and Executive Director – Outrun the Sun, Inc.
Who knew that play-doh and music would go together! Outpatient Imaging Affiliates had a wonderful, fun time and we all learned how to work as a group and be creative. Thank you Jeff for helping us learn more about each other’s strengths and how to maximize them.
Janet Cheek, VP Operations – Outpatient Imaging Affiliates, LLC.
What an INCREDIBLE Team building program this was! Jeff, you managed to bring together a room full of people that are from all over the country and create one collaborative piece. You have a true gift that inspires all of us to reach beyond and see what was in front of us all along.
Kimberly Miller, Director of Sales & Marketing – Hilton Hotel Group
Jeff’s keynote and his team’s ensuing team-building workshops really touched the fabric of our employee culture. Write-A-Song-Build-A-Team accomplished all of our goals. You really hit a home run!
Brad Green, President – Listerhill Credit Union
Jeff Jacob and Sherrie Austin gave a wonderful program for our new Admissions Specialists Team. Their message and method really resonated, and they touched our organizational clay. Hope we can work with them again soon!
Ginger Priddy, Project Coordinator – DaVita
Jeff, our 2013 class loved you! Your program was phenomenal. I hope we get to work together on another project soon!
Kelly Alvarez Vitale, President – Broward Leadership Council Founder
Your team building program was awesome! I’ve heard nothing but positive comments from our employees. Most are saying it was their favorite part of our event! All writers on your team were outstanding, and your passion for helping teams improve will stay with us for a long time.
Linda Crawford, Training Director – Listerhill Credit Union
Jeff gave a wonderful workshop for our conference. It was insightful, inspiring and a ton of fun! He really made a difference for our attendees. Hope we can have him back for other events in the future.
Elizabeth Allington, Director of Creative Services – Indiana University School of Law
Jeff facilitated a highly productive, energetic team development session for our IT silo at FAU. Recently we’ve been tasked with consolidating operations and campuses and our teams have to learn to work more efficiently together. This program really helped move us in the right direction!
Alberto Fernández, Ph.D. – Director, Partner Campuses Technology Services – Office of Information Technology