Please note – the updated infographic is at this link here. We are keeping this post as is, so that people can learn from the evolution of our thinking. Seeing a polished product doesn’t teach half as much as seeing the thinking and comments and ideas that have gone into that product! 10-24-12
It is the question we are asked most often… “I love what you guys are doing! (Deep breath). But I still don’t really understand – what exactly ARE you doing?”
Hopefully that will soon be a thing of the past, as we’ve been writing and speaking and creating graphics to articulate both our Theory of Change AND what Creating the Future is DOING with that theory of change.
Our first unveiling of that work was the conference keynote I did last month, where, to my delight, people nodded and added their own thoughts (vs. scratching their heads and politely smiling…).
And so we have gone to Step 2: An info-graphic, addressing the question, “What is Creating the Future?“ (link is to the 1st draft. For most recent draft,click here)
What you will see at the link is our current draft of the graphics and text we’ve been playing with. And as always, we want your help before we head too far down the trail. So please, click through to the infographic, and help us consider…
- From looking at the graphic, in your own words, what do YOU think we’re about?
- Does the graphic make clear to you what Creating the Future is? What we’re trying to accomplish, how we’re seeking to accomplish that, and what we are doing right now? Would you look at that graphic and think, “Yes that makes sense. I totally get it.”?
- And if not, what parts are NOT clear? What questions remain / occur to you as you look at the graphic?
- Does the graphic help you see where YOU might plug in to this work? The parts you might be interested in knowing more about / being part of? If not, what might help you to want to connect?
- Are there any questions we haven’t asked here, that we should have? (Please answer those, too!)
We know we can only accomplish our mission if we are clear in how we communicate. With your input on this overview piece, we will then begin creating sub-graphics, describing in greater detail each piece of the logic in this overview.
And as always, your input will help us ensure we are being clear, on this one and then into the future. So thank you – more than you can imagine!
Hi Hildy
It looks fantastic but the big question I was left with was ‘what is your mission’? I found it in the end but it didn’t grab me. The way I found it was…
You mention the mission in your strategy. You talk about your intended results and I see that you are creating a living laboratory for accelerating social change but I was still left with ‘why’.
Observing who you are and what you speak, leads me to say you are creating a future for people to live in where social missions can be accomplished. I then hear your voice asking ‘what would that make possible’? When I look, I see it would allow ‘all beings to live well, individually and collectively.’
I just didn’t get the link properly until I asked your question ‘what would that make possible’ and then I found the answer on the page. I didn’t find your mission easy to grasp without knowing your thinking first.
The more I look at it now, the clearer it is to me but I didn’t get it first read. Maybe that is a good thing. Maybe it should make us think a bit first…
Carol
As I read across “Our Theory of Change” my first visual assumption is that the theory of change is the Buddha quote whereas I assume that the Buddha quote is intended to be related to Thinking and that the entire grahpic line is the Theory of Change – perhaps the Buddha and quote can be more closely aligned above Thinking??
Is there meaning to having some setps in theory of change in the same color in the horizontal graphic, but different steps in the same colors in the iterative/circular graphic??? I was assuming that the colors indicated groupings but they aren’t consistent.
The Phases descriptions under Our Actions seem to imply that these phases are sequential and that all audiences/programs are dealt with simultaneously in the same phase, but my impression of work to date is that there are sequential phases for each prioritized target audience such that there would be a Phase I, II, III etc for Community Benefit leaders, a Phase I, II, III etc for Academic Institutions, and so on, and a series of celebrations for each target audience/program.
How do you see Plans belonging with Strategies rather than Actions? Why does Plans drop out of the picture in the bottom row of the graphic?
Comment question,.. Under the column for the actions… I see something linear, but as with the top row where you have an additional cyclic graphic, my intuition says this action column is also cyclic. Don’t know if it is important to underscore somehow here too.
My first impression is that it is very busy. But then, I don’t like reading logic models.
Second, I do get what your intended goal is (I think) about creating a future in which the actions of social missions are rooted in the core assumptions.
But I am left with the question of what do you do? I get that you are a ‘living laboratory,’ by being transparent, doing your planning online. But your mission as stated in “Our Thought Process” doesn’t include an object. “To infuse the effective assumptions into Leadership…Planning…Building Networks…etc.” sounds good, but I can’t figure out into whose leadership, planning, networks, etc you are trying to infuse those assumptions.
I can’t figure out how what you’re doing is going to effect the world of social missions
So, I guess I am still not sure what you do.
Here’s what I did, I read the blog first and looked at the infographic second. (I followed instructions, I think).
I was instantly wondering what, if anything, were you saying during the keynote as you unveiled this? Were people nodding their heads at the infographic alone, or more in resonance with your words that accompanied the graphic? If so, what were those key comments that contributed to the AHAs and is there a way to add some key elements here without getting too crowded or crazy?
Like Carol, I didn’t see the mission as being fully clear or emerging from the graphic alone.
I’m sure several have seen the cartoon in regards to TOCs or Logic Models that says “A Miracle Happens Here” and the other guy says “I think you need some additional info here.” Here’s how I see it applicable to this TOC is between Actions and Results. To me there’s a gap from being a “living laboratory” to changing the way the sector does things and social missions being accomplished around the world. Perhaps, I’m missing an action whereby the work picks up steam, is multiplied, replicated, grows to scale or any other phrase or buzzword that explains the “miracle” as depicted in the cartoon.
You commented on the cartoon characters, I think the labels in the TOC boxes are blurry as well as the circle — perhaps Dimitri is already planning to get those or perhaps it’s time for my annual eye exam.
Think this is a huge step forward and moves Creating the Future towards its future.
I know it took a lot of work to get here, so congrats on that! It feels like something has clicked for you and Dimitri in understanding the whole thing. And that is something to celebrate.
Most people will only need to come for parts of this, not the whole thing. Believe me, I know the impulse to have people understand the whole, but most people just have attention for the parts. Therefore, it is best to give people info on a want-to-know basis.
Here are my questions:
1) who is your intended audience for this info graphic?
2) why are they coming to you to learn more about CTF? What would they want to know about you?
3) what do you want them to do as a result of the information?
Maybe these questions will help narrow the focus for specific audiences and other info graphics (what program did you use, anyway?).
It’s great for CTF and the board to have this as a one-page grounding of the org and mission and big picture, but if there are other audiences in mind, then different info graphics will be needed. Even as involved as I am, I had trouble taking this all in. I think you are on the right track, though, and it can be refined for specific audiences.
This is tremendously helpful, gang. And Susan, I appreciate your ongoing confusion / uncertainty. THAT is very helpful, truly.
Bill, Kevin, Kim – I know you guys have a bit of insider perspective, but would you share from viewing this graphic – what do you think we are?
Michael – same question. Do you get a sense of what we are seeking to accomplish?
One thing we are intending to do in the next step is to have each of those areas link to another infographic, specific to the questions that might arise from each of those columns. So for example, in the Living Laboratory area, link to an info-graphic that is JUST about that. Otherwise, we’re thinking there’s just too much going on.
Off to drive to Phoenix. Will be responding to all the really really helpful questions you guys posed upon my return. So please for now, keep it coming. This is more helpful than you can possibly know.
Hildy asks: Do you get a sense of what we are seeking to accomplish?
My sense comes from the name of the work “Creating the Future” coupled with the vision/request: “Imagine that every community around the world is healthy, vibrant & humane in every way.”
I know that Creating the Future is about moving in that direction … “accelerating the social change” toward that end. So to that extent what you wish to accomplish is clear to me.
From my own experience – I know it will take “all of us” starting with a dedicated few (hat tip to M. Meade), and I know that it will require many different approaches. What is important in this description of the work, for me is that it is an ongoing (cyclic) effort in this direction requiring feedback and reflection.
What is the “Living Lab” however? What is CtF? I ask this in the sense of making clear how people of like mind and intent get involved. What is the Vessel? I realize these questions are loaded and perhaps unclear to many.
Two quick answers to help clarify, as I cannot stop thinking about your comments and questions. (This is a very good thing!)
Kevin – clarification: I didn’t present this infographic as my keynote – that would have been horrible, not to mention my never being asked to keynote anything ever again! 🙂
I talked about the assumptions and thought processes – considered our current assumptions about what’s possible and about each other as humans, and then moved through the lens of assumptions of the Pollyanna Principles. Then showed effective thought processes that arise when we change our assumptions, then gave an example of the results that came from that change of thought process.
(And just thinking “Oh my!” – If I hosted a conference and someone keynoted by presenting an hour on their organization, I’d SO demand my money back!!!)
And Kim, quick answer re: target audience is that this will be at our website, at the About page, for whomever is going there. Which could be anyone in the social change arena, for a variety of reasons – I know the answer “everyone” is the one that marketing folks hate, but it is narrowed down to “anyone who would visit our website”.
I can just feel marketing folks the world over sighing a collective “ugh.”…
HG
I love the idea of making a one page graphic that explains Creating the Future, and know that there will be wonderful input here to build on the work already accomplished.
I always have to think about these kinds of questions for a while, but my first reaction was, “Who is the audience for this infographic?” I saw that Kim asked this previously and Hildy responded “everyone who visits the website”
When I look at the infographic, it makes sense because I have context. For the organizations I interact with most frequently, I envision glazed eyes. For a beginner,searching for answers, the information might be overwhelming.
What are the most basic points that need to stand out and catch the eye and interest? Are the vocabulary and reading level engaging for everyone who visits the website?
Just a few thoughts to start the day with my coffee.
Michael – hugely helpful clarifying thoughts and questions. Thank you.
Nancy – you’ve got me thinking about being clearer about who is likely to visit the website.
And that has to do with the fact that the site as it is now is a fraction of what it is soon to be – including completely different architecture and focus, starting with a whole new home page and whole new navigation, all focused around the 4 parts to the mission:
• R&D into effective thought processes and approaches
• Demonstration of those approaches in action
• Education about those approaches (into which the current library and pages about our courses will be subsumed)
• Convening / engaging conversation
So the immediate answer to the question of audience is “whoever will be partnering with us / interested in partnering with us in those 4 areas,” again as this will be at our About Us section.
The site as it has been is sort of a hodgepodge, with remnants from our old consulting days, some detail about our courses, and an inkling that this is about something bigger, but no real idea of what that bigger thing is.
The people who have used the site to date have been primarily on-the-ground changemakers and consultants, using it primarily for the library. In the future, those users are likely to be a small percentage of the users of the site, and are likely to arrive at the site through an article (whether they come to that article through a search or because someone recommends it to them). In the event they actually then ask, “Ok, so who are these guys?” they will go to the About page. Our stats over the past few years suggest that that is a very small percentage of visitors who arrive in that way – they read the article, perhaps pass it along to a friend, and then leave the site.
However, the people who come to the site as partners will be there for the express purpose of seeing how we can all play together. Or for wondering “Who it this Hildy person?” which is again typically about partnering or learning more about Creating the Future in a holistic way.
This is off the top of my head, and so it may not be clear. But your encouraging me to be clear about it is helpful beyond words.
Ok, one more thought and then I really am hitting the road. And that is I’m wondering if what we really have here are THREE info graphics – and they can even all be on the same page, flowing into each other.
1) JUST information (which is now buried in the current bottom half of the screen) from the Thought Process and Strategy sections – our mission and what we’re doing. That could be fleshed out more, so people would have a clearer sense.
At the bottom of that infographic, it could say something like “Why are we focusing on this stuff?” or etc., which would lead to…
2) A whole info graphic on the theory of change, which would then lead to
3) A less busy (would only need the graphic from the theory, not the text) info graphic that would be what is now the bottom – putting our theory of change into action.
I’m thinking this would allow people to ease in / go deeper if they wish, or glean the basics from #1 and move on.
Thoughts?
Hildy, although I’m still mulling over what you actually DO, reading your response, and the responses of others, I have a thought about your splash page. The circular graphic in the upper right corner says a lot of what you’re saying with the logic model. If you start by attaching your assumptions to the top of the circular graphic, and allow people to be intrigued, you can link to the others. That would be a lot cleaner, and lead people through your steps. The logic model and all the accompanying verbiage is just very, very dense.
You asked me and a few others to respond to: “From this graphic, what are we?” and to put aside insider knowledge. Unfortunately, I can’t tell. That’s okay, because maybe you are modeling something new, but without something familiar to hold on to, I’m kind of at a loss.
Is there an analogy that can be used?
Nice work, you see what is happening…there is a big difference between ‘creating the future’ and seeing one possibility as being your creation. Lessons on the road to power are valuable, and of all the most is that power is, you do not create it, fools yield it, the greedy amass it, and yet these are illusion.
Discernment, patience, honesty and perseverance.
Another set of comments from elsewhere the question was asked, is now creating HUGE mind shift for us. And that is that several people have asked, “So is this a consulting firm?”
Thinking that seeing it out of the context of the website might be part of it, but also thinking there is something there that is clearly saying that – and not sure what that is.
As we work to redesign and make it more clear, perhaps we need to state the words that make me nuts, but are the lexicon people identify – that Creating the Future is a “nonprofit” community benefit organization whose mission is to etc. and etc.
Which makes me wonder aloud if we need to use words like “think tank” (which we’ve shied away from) in an effort again to meet readers where they are?
***
And one more observation. I cannot imagine embarking on an effort like this without actively engaging this kind of conversation – first off, it would be like running blindfolded. But second, how would we all learn together without someone engaging this conversation? (Sorry to editorialize, but we’re just so grateful for the dozens of eyes, coming from all different worlds, who are considering this from their own vantage point!)