Today's post comes from frequent contributor "Dad" Matt Blaisdell. Enjoy!
What if DeMolay had more public ceremonies to present in
schools to cover a larger membership growth target? That's a question which is
drawn from Human Centered Design & Research.
Human Centered design is a creative approach to problem solving which starts with
people and ends with innovative solutions tailored to meet the needs of your
target market. It is used a lot with interactive solutions such as a Kiosk in
the mall or the ATM at the bank down the street, but have you ever considered
the Human Centered Design for DeMolay?
Everything from the phone you have in your pocket to the stores you go to first
at the mall has been designed, based on needs, goals and target markets (who we
want to gain interest from.) The same goes for DeMolay and our internal interactions,
such as our International Congress, our DeMolay & More Store, our Chapters
and even the functions and purpose of our meetings. When DeMolay was first
being
designed, "Dad" Land had a goal and need in mind for an
intended target market. He asked questions (internally or through feedback)
about what works and what doesn't and tried new things - because progress
doesn't happen when you spin your wheels in the mud.
Over 95 years of idea incubation, creation, collaboration
and visualization for DeMolay has brought us to where we are today - a revised
edition to our Ritual, updated forms which adhere to the needs of our leaders,
our DeMolay presentations, and have you seen the old DeMolay shirts
and clothing that were for sale? Most wouldn't be caught wearing something like
that today, right? That's a lot of successful progress, which would not have
happened if somebody didn't ask why and try something new for the sake of
innovation.
The 15th edition of our ritual was created because...
Someone asked a question why we're
doing something this way...
Some of the words used were dated.
The grammar wasn't consistent.
Our open ceremonies weren't as easy to access, as members, in comparison to our
closed ceremonies.
Our submission forms have been updated because...
Someone asked a question why we're
doing something this way...
Technology has allowed for a larger availability for
internal access.
Changes in information requirements and content
Our membership presentations have been updated because...
Someone asked a question why we're
doing something this way...
The target market has changed
and updated their interests.
New technologies allow for new styles of presentations.
Interests are diverse and widely spread across a lot of areas.
Our apparel designs on the DeMolay & More Store
updated because...
Someone asked a question why we're
doing something this way...
Stock has run out of specific
product, which is traditional.
New technologies emerge, allowing for new design styles.
Internal research happens, which shows which type of product sells and what
doesn't.
I'm a huge proponent for innovation and questioning
established mannerisms in any way of life. The key in Human Centered Design is
to ask why we do things and how we can do it better when it comes to
interactions.
On a local note, why do we do the things we do in our
Chapters, State or International. Who's goals and needs are in mind? Like I
mentioned above, a lot has happened in 95 years. Tons of changes, tons of
adaptations (both good and bad), tons of rerouting directions based on needs
and goals.
DeMolay can go two ways in the next 95 years
1) Continue to build upon the established and accept what
has been given to you. Do it because "it's the way it always should
be."
2) Ask why, what the needs and goals are and where will
DeMolay be in 95 years.
To create innovation through DeMolay, you should rethink it
from the users (members of tomorrow) point of view, setting aside established
functionality for general idea generation (playing the what if game)
4 Step List of Human Centered Design Innovation
1) Determine the needs & goals of your targeted market
and members of tomorrow.
2) Share ideas and collaborate. Nothing can be solved by a single person, so
collaboration is key in innovative success to determine different idea
perspectives.
3) Visualize your ideas. Visualizing helps to understanding
problems, communicate new ideas and identify new opportunities. Think of lots
of ideas. Some too crazy too work and some too crazy to try. Hold on to the good
and toss out the bad, but the main concept is to develop
new ideas that haven't been thought of before.
4) Interact with your idea. Try your ideas and test them to
see what works and what doesn't. That might mean get together with some Chapter
members and mock up a new prospect party presentation style or get feedback
from a new brochure design.
The purpose of this article isn't to call out what doesn't work in DeMolay
Chapters and organization as a whole, but to encourage members to consider the
needs and wants of the members of tomorrow, in order to progressively work
towards the next 95 years of success in DeMolay. Think and share ideas with your
brothers and advisors and play the "What If..." game.
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