Now for something completely different....
Blackfriars principal Mary Timmons and I took a break from corporate marketing and communications strategy over the weekend to bring our Destination Imagination teams to the Region 3 Massachusetts Tournament. For those of you not familiar with the program, Destination Imagination is is one of the world's largest creativity and problem solving programs for youth of all ages, with thousands of participants in 47 US states, 15 countries and Canadian provinces participating annually. While the program emphasizes creativity, the tournaments also measure the quality of that creativity in fairly objective ways.
In this year's tournament, two of our teams built bridges made only from wood and glue weighing less than five ounces that were able to support more than twenty-five pounds; the winning bridges supported more than 150 pounds! And one of our other teams built entire vehicles, including propulsion and steering systems, that were capable of navigating triangular tracks and carrying multiple people. And all these activities had to be done with budgets of less than $175.
But the technical challenges of DI are only a piece of the puzzle for winning teams. All of the challenges require that the teams present their solutions to the tournament audience in engaging and entertaining ways. Many of the presentations involve sets, costumes, makeup, and special effects, all of which also must be paid for out of the team budget. Further, the teams must present and complete their solutions, including the time to set them up, in eight minutes or less.
We here at Blackfriars believe that Destination Imagination is a truly worthwhile activity for school kids. But we also believe that there are lessons here for corporate marketers and program managers. After all, when was the last time you saw a marketing program presented that was completely original, built within a shoestring budget, and could be completely presented within eight minutes?
Blackfriars applauds the work of Destination Imagination and we encourage others to encourage and support those who have participated in the program.
In this year's tournament, two of our teams built bridges made only from wood and glue weighing less than five ounces that were able to support more than twenty-five pounds; the winning bridges supported more than 150 pounds! And one of our other teams built entire vehicles, including propulsion and steering systems, that were capable of navigating triangular tracks and carrying multiple people. And all these activities had to be done with budgets of less than $175.
But the technical challenges of DI are only a piece of the puzzle for winning teams. All of the challenges require that the teams present their solutions to the tournament audience in engaging and entertaining ways. Many of the presentations involve sets, costumes, makeup, and special effects, all of which also must be paid for out of the team budget. Further, the teams must present and complete their solutions, including the time to set them up, in eight minutes or less.
We here at Blackfriars believe that Destination Imagination is a truly worthwhile activity for school kids. But we also believe that there are lessons here for corporate marketers and program managers. After all, when was the last time you saw a marketing program presented that was completely original, built within a shoestring budget, and could be completely presented within eight minutes?
Blackfriars applauds the work of Destination Imagination and we encourage others to encourage and support those who have participated in the program.
posted by Carl Howe at
12:51 PM
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