Collaboration Events by The Ludic Group

Consulting Services (CS) has partnered with design thinking specialists, The Ludic Group, to create  a process to help clients understand and solve complex problems. Basically, get all the high level decision makers into a really cool and cushy hi-tech room for a few days, throw their mobile phones into a bucket of water and don't let them leave until they solve the problem.  Throw in some actors (yes, real actors), some illustrators and some highly skilled and trained moderators and you have a truly ground breaking event with a potentially innovative outcome. Exhilarating!

Big Version

When it works it's a fantastic bonding experience between client and service provider and even among stakeholders themselves. Since the goal is to exit with an outcome these sessions are not only effective relationship forming events but also potential sources of new business.  Effective for new new and for forming closer relationships with existing.

A full on "serious" event might run over two or three days in either a special facility or in any room that is adapted for the event. Preparation is potentially  significant, from as much as weeks of interviews and discovery at customer facilities around the globe to as little as a few days of prep. The production itself (which is really what this is) includes moderator(s), actors, artists, catering, props, filming, editing: you get the idea.  Also available in German and French!

Small Version
On the other hand, a "light" version might involve a moderator and/or a specially trained illustrator creating story boards for presentations. This unusual and unique presentation approach might even entail the same illustrator on the day as scribe to bring to life an unfolding storyline during the actual presentation itself.  A fantastic idea to stand apart from the competition during Q&A sessions of large and complex proposals.

Relevant Areas

Any sector.  The Big Version is especially valuable for engaging on a business level high in the value chain and for forging close working relationships with clients. Appropriate in very large deals for two reasons.  First, the larger the deal the greater the complexity and the greater the likelihood and need for engaging at a business level.  Second, a large deal offers the opportunity to try something different if the cost is only a faction of the overall deal.  It is not cheap but it's only a fraction of the cost of a large deal and it sure is different. The Small Version is much less expensive and would be appropriate where presenting a large deal proposal or at a Q&A, where permitted.

Innovation Scale: 3/3

The idea has been around and is used by some consultancy groups. However, the process itself is one that can produce innovation in its own right when used in the right scenario.  

S4: Develop Status

CS has run several sessions for senior business leaders and decision makers. As such, it is a well developed and mature offering.