Engineering a Human Empowered Experience
I was 15 years old sitting at a round table with seven empty chairs, in the back of a massive ballroom, under the veil of darkness as our family business A/V team prepared for a production test run of the opening sequence.
“We roll in 5,4,3,2,1..” I heard a sound engineer say and within seconds lights gently roused from sleep just enough to create a space of warm whites gently guiding my eyes to the stage. The screens lit up with the produced video welcome as….oh my favourite part….thunderous drums and accompanying harmonics engulfed the air and stirred my soul.
To this day sound-check is invigorating for me as an event producer, a speaker and a human.
The sound. The lights. THE EXPERIENCE.
And then the people come. All eager to consume the engineered moments you are about to feed them. The collective energy creates a contagious and shared human journey. This is the power of a strategic, sensory immersive and emotionally captivating event production.
I miss these moments. I am sure you do too.
So in our quest to adapt to virtual experiences our team is highly focused on the creative development of, what I call, Human Empowered Experiences. We are taking everything we know about orchestrating these powerful strategically designed moments IRL and applying them to the in-home-online environment.
Is it the same? NO. But moving forward I believe the online experience (which is right now our only way of safely connecting groups) will no doubt become value added chosen options for pre-event promotion and/or tiered attendee registration perks.
So let’s dive into what a Human Empowered Experience is comprised of with an example on how you can add HEE to your online event. The creative sky is the limit.
What is a Human Empowered Experience?
A HEE must include the following three elements:
1. a tangible resource
2. a collective action step
3. the consumption of a shared audio/visual experience.
These elements are what sets the HEE from being just another zoom call.
It’s the difference between your partner asking you where you want to go for dinner vs having dinner plans already reserved, flowers in hand, a handwritten card and a pre-planned in the middle of dinner surprise. Maybe that’s just my fantasy….insert your own.
A Human Empowered Experience is as romantic to the spirit as it is inspiring and as memorable to the mind as it is delightful.
A Human Empowered Experience Example
Imagine this.
You receive your branded package in the mail for that afternoon’s online Leadership Conference Virtual Keynote. When you registered for the event you were asked to choose a word that best describes your focus (growth, health, focus, love, adventure, resilience…etc). You chose COURAGE. When you open the package a card warmly welcomes you and explains that the accompanying wrapped gift must not be opened until you are directed to by the keynote speaker.
Three hours later you are in front of your laptop with headphones (like you are for many other online meetings throughout the day). You log in. Your wrapped package sits in front of you, patiently waiting for it’s unveiling. What could it be you wonder?
After being welcomed by your host a *short produced video sets the tone for what to expect ahead…..the keynote speaker takes over and delivers a funny, insightful program with practically based action steps to keep you focused on how YOU can make a change for yourself and impact those around you. The speakers face is close to the screen and it feels like she is actually speaking to…YOU.
25 minutes in the speaker pauses and asks you pick up your wrapped package. She guides you through the following few moments by expertly setting the stage for what is coming next. There will be a *short video. You are to immerse yourself in the visuals, the sounds and the words you see.
*note: for successful video streaming during a virtual keynote consult with a professional AV company for proper resources/platforms
The video begins. A well produced 5 minute audio/visual experience that incorporates her talking points earlier and asks the questions that will help you to step up as a person and as a leader. As the music slows the final words on the screen right in front of you say, “open your gift.”
Collectively….yet individually….attendees unwrap with anticipation. A frame is uncovered. A simple wood 4x6 with a quote on linen paper inside. Yours says, “Lisa. Your courage inspires others to lead. Keep going.”
Personal. Empowering. Connected.
After a 60 second reflection countdown ends on your screen the speaker asks attendees to turn on their cameras and hold up their frames in a group sharing #mymessagematters
This is ONE possible example of how you can strategically engineer a Human Empowered Experience in a virtual setting. There are creatively hundreds of different variations all possible within varying budgets and adjusted for attendee size and meeting goals.
Whatever your approach, always be sure to use the power of collective action, tangible resources and a group consumed audio/visual experience that creates a MOMENT above the norm of the everyday. Novelty is key (this keeps our creative juices free flowing!)
Stand out. Incite inspiration by igniting the spirit.
Cheers to creativity that is impactful.
