Make it memorable with a prop

Our client Mark Thompson speaks to groups of CEOs about product development, and the need to leverage all the resources a company has at their disposal to create new products. When presenting, he uses an interesting story  and prop to make his message stick.

He begins by telling his audience about a friend who is a great gourmet cook. Going to dinner at this friend's home is always a delightful adventure into the world of great cuisine. He relishes getting an invitation and always looks forward to the meal with great anticipation.

However, one night he had a dream he was invited to his friend's home for dinner. He dreamt that he walked into his friend's kitchen, but there were no signs of any food being prepared. The only thing he saw was one pot on the stove and in the pot was oatmeal. Incredulous, he went to the cupboards and tried to open them, but they were all locked. Everything in the kitchen was locked up.

He tells the audience that this is what is happening in companies all over America. "Just like my friend who had all these ingredients and cooking talents, you too have a wide range of resources in your organization. Are you, like my friend, just cooking oatmeal?" He then brings out a big box of oatmeal and slams it on the table. He adds, "Are your cabinets locked? You have organizations filled with talent, capabilities, products and services - make sure you are not just serving your customers oatmeal."

In closing, he brings out boxes of oatmeal and gives one to each person in the audience. It becomes a symbol of leveraging resources for product innovation that they never forget.