Cultivating belonging with Google Xi and Storycraft Lab
Megan Henshall, Google’s Global Events Strategic Solutions Lead, and Naomi Crellin, CEO of Storycraft Lab, invited participants to answer the question ‘How might we create an industry design practice around belonging?’ at one of their Tuesday Google Xi CoLab sessions.
"Belonging is a key value that we’ve not been cultivating,” explained Megan as she emphasised the need to design events with belonging at their core. Post-it notes in hand, Megan and Naomi diligently wrote down every idea on belonging the audience could think of. “Facts are feelings,” suggested one audience member when prompted to think about the measurability of belonging. Technology such as Zenus AI facial analysis was recommended by another as a way to collect data at meetings and events to measure belonging. Exhibiting at IMEX, Zenus AI captures impressions and sentiments in any environment without crossing the privacy line.
As the physical wall of thought, in the form of bright pink post-it notes, built up on the Google Xi CoLaboratory space in Hall 9, the audience explored how to best build a business case for belonging. Shared ownership, accessibility and the creation of a conversation led by empathy with your attendees are the starting blocks.
"It isn’t a binary condition; it’s a journey." Naomi clarified as audience members asked how they can make sure there is no exclusion from the feeling of belonging at their events. At the heart of this session was the overriding principle that creating belonging at events is a purpose-led process. Without purpose in your business, you can’t even begin to start creating events with belonging at their core.
