A Better Vantage Point

An extraordinary event called the Pageant of the Masters takes place in Laguna Beach, California, every summer. At this unique art show, volunteer actors and actresses transform themselves into living representations of famous paintings and statues.

They step into framed artwork or assume poses to become part of the art itself, blurring the lines between reality and masterpieces. Having attended this event at least a dozen times over a couple of decades, I can attest to its captivating allure.

My first encounter with the Pageant of the Masters happened while I was living in Detroit, Michigan. It was my manager's idea to organize a team outing in Laguna Beach, where she lived. The prospect of leaving Detroit for sunny California and attending this event was incredibly enticing.

?However, my initial experience was unexpectedly chilly, which is typical near SoCal beaches in the evenings in early summer months. (Of course, I didn’t know that then.)

The event took place in an outdoor amphitheater and started after sunset. I had anticipated warmer weather, given California's reputation. At that point, I hadn't yet experienced living in California.

?What truly sets this show apart is how seamlessly the volunteer actors blend with the artwork. Before they step into the frames, they are adorned with makeup, and precisely timed lighting changes create a flawless fusion between the actors and the art.

From a mid-tier vantage point (where we were seated), binoculars are highly recommended. Thankfully, there are rentals available for binoculars, blankets and seat cushions before the event. Unfortunately, I hadn't anticipated the cold or the distance from the stage and didn't rent any of these things.

Luckily, my fellow attendees had rented binoculars. Borrowing a pair, I was able to discern intricate details of the paintings and the actors. The show remained astonishing, but the magnified perspective afforded by the binoculars revealed the presence of actual people within the artwork.

It's incredible how binoculars can transform your perception of what you're observing. By providing a magnified view of distant objects, they bring clarity to your assessment.

In fact, binoculars enhance depth perception and visual acuity. These incremental data points empower users to process and synthesize their observations more keenly.

Much like using binoculars to gain a clearer view, incorporating multiple perspectives into decision-making processes can be immensely valuable. Gathering diverse data points (especially from experienced professionals) broadens our understanding of the business challenges and possible solutions that we consider.

Expanding our solution set, whether by involving internal functional leaders or seeking expertise from outside advisors, enriches our problem-solving efforts, increasing the chances of finding an optimal solution.

When our vantage point limits us, the best course of action may be to change our perspective by seeking assistance from others—not unlike asking a friend for their binoculars. Find the right partners who can add clarity to what is happening right in front of you and transform your business outcomes.

#marketing #perspectiveshift #fractionalcmo

Katherine Hunter-Blyden?is a CMO Partner at TechCXO. She is a senior marketing executive with P&L management experience. As a full-stack marketer, Katherine's experience includes brand strategy, advertising, digital marketing, sales promotion, product management, pricing and market research. Katherine helps businesses meet their goals with data-driven, quantifiable results.