Post-covid initiative
A CREATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO ENERGIZE AND MOBILIZE TEAMS
“The old ways of doing things just don’t work.”It was with these words that former President Barack Obama began his virtual graduation speech on May 16. The 99 PROJECT team got the message and delivers an innovative two-day seminar that leverages the driving force of a collective narrative and the identification power of theater to energize and mobilize teams after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 crisis and the lockdown that followed were a shock for the company; it revealed its weaknesses and its strengths: decrease of income, demand evolution, supply chain vulnerability, altered work organization, accelerated digitization…Will this crisis have lasting consequences, shall one ask? To tell the truth, no one today has obvious answers to this question.
A heterogeneity of experiences to be valued
Indeed, a simple “back to normal” is not really possible. The workforce experienced the lockdown very differently. Some employees worked with dedication and even with excess. Others have stepped back to the point of being invisible. Others were forced to go unemployed. Many made the best of it, balancing professional and family life as best as they could. But who has been confronted with this exceptional situation, has necessarily drawn something from it, an anecdote, a lesson, an important finding.
A collaborative storytelling to step into the future
The company has a lot to gain by inviting employees to give feedbacks, both personal and professional, from their experience. A time of sensible inquiry will make it possible to value everyone’s insights and draw useful lessons, particularly in terms of professional practices. What communication tools do we want to use? Are our performance indicators still suitable? How can we improve our team meetings and decision-making processes? Opening a space for listening and conversation will improve the work organization but also facilitate the teams’ consultation to re-align the strategic vision of the company. What are the new expectations of our customers and partners? Should we intensify the digital transformation of our businesses or not?
Meeting up for a fresh start
During the lockdown and probably for a few more months, protective measures will keep employees distant from each other at the work place. Whether you like it or not, this physical distance affects interpersonal relationships and the confidence that comes from proximity. How to rebuild the team spirit in these conditions? In addition to this, if responsibilities are meant to evolve, how will employees integrate the dynamics of their new roles?
Taking charge of the sensible, emotional and physical dimension of the crisis through adapted collective experiences is mandatory to energize and mobilize the collective.
How to get out from the crisis stronger?
“The old ways of doing things just don’t work”, declared former President Barack Obama to 27,000 American students at their graduation speech (1). “ Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs, still think that way — which is why things are so screwed up”, he continued. What if we hear his message, full of humour and humility, so as not to think tomorrow with yesterday’s words?
What if we take note of an exceptional situation to offer teams an exceptional experience?
The 99 PROJECT suggest an innovative, creative and pragmatic solution to listen, energize and mobilize teams. The approach leverages the driving force of a collective narrative and the identification power of theater. It aims to create and stage in collaboration a short play that articulates the lessons of the crisis, the renewed vision of business strategy and celebrates reunion on stage. Activities involve all employees with a mix of collaborative creative workshops and analysis to re-align the company’s strategy in light of the lockdown lessons, energize and engage employees on their future mission.
Discover the solution below
A CREATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO ENERGIZE AND MOBILIZE TEAMS
For more information, contact Geneviève Flaven, THE 99 PROJECT
(1) Former President Barack Obama speaks during Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 on May 16, 2020.