Imagine you're Planet Comms

I was thinking about the universe today.

In the context of the infinity of space, I decided I'd be Planet Comms. A small planet orbited by a myriad of moons spinning in a complex system of different activities and responsibilities, each with its own unique purpose and trajectory. And all those moons would need careful managing to stop them from spinning out of range.

Here's what my solar system might be made up of.

Non-moons ?

Did you know that some moons aren't moons at all? They're more like flotsam and jetsam, bits and pieces of space dust.

I'm mindful of communications non-moons. Replying to a question, booking a meeting, writing an email. Tasks that can feel like detritus, but which actually need careful managing, or risk disrupting the whole system if left hanging. The last thing I'd need in space, or comms, is for a little thing to become a big thing. Small asteroids get bigger very quickly when they're hurtling towards you at speed.

Mini-moons ??

Mini-moons come and go, they enter a planet's gravitational field only temporarily before twirling back out again and heading off on a different path through the galaxy until they return again.

These moons are the discussion guides of the comms universe. Or the scripts. The end-of year videos. The All Hands Calls. These are the activations I can see coming, plan for and execute, before they're gone again, back out into space before their next inbound visit. There's a regularity to them, but not a permanence. They're visitors and each has its own path and personality depending on the time and atmosphere when they choose to make their next appearance. These mini-moons in comms space must be prioritised before, during and after each of their visits.

Big-kahuna-moons ??

The big-kahuna-moons are the Titans. The giants.

These are the primary narratives that articulate business strategy and purpose. The communications pillars developed to engage and connect with multiple audiences and stakeholders. The big kahunas are complex, encompassing strategy, storytelling, planning, timing, measurement and collaboration.

Titans are cornucopias of communication compounds - some of which are familiar, and some (in rare and beautiful instances) can be completely new additions to the overall mass of the giant moon. Big-kahuna moons are all huge and all demanding of focus, thought and acute attention to detail if they're to be managed successfully.

Planet Comms ??

Planet Comms is us!

We sit at the heart of these interstellar eco-systems. Our communications rays send energy and clarity far beyond our own atmospheres. Orbited by a multitude of dependents held n our gravitational field, we keep a close eye on the stars in our orbit, managing their trajectories with care, always mindful that at any given time it could be a small piece of space dust or a giant Titan that needs our focus.

The secret to being a communications planet, is keeping a watchful eye on the trajectories of the stars that spin around you, maintaining the equilibrium and engagement of your cosmic collective.

Back down to Earth ??

And now, it's time to leave the universe behind, come down from the stars and return to my home planet ready to jump onto the next asteroid.

Or Teams call as we know and love them. ??

#storytelling #culture #communication #employeeengagement #space

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Louisa Houghton is a storyteller and employee engagement specialist. She's also many other things, including bee keeper, guitar player and German Shepherd despairer (if that wasn't a thing, it is now). Louisa is all about keeping it real, dispensing with the fluff and having some fun. She is a firm believer in the extraordinary everywhere. Magic can always be found if you look for it.

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