A quick, simple digital networking idea:
Let’s be honest – members find ribbons to be the exciting part of their name badge. If they are a volunteer, it shows where they are giving of themselves to the organization. A ribbon can be how they demonstrate their loyalty through repeat attendance or years of membership. A ribbon can share which sub-discipline is their area of interest – helping to connect with other like-minded colleagues. And then, of course, there are the light-hearted ones that just bring a smile.
Ribbons are the flair of the meeting experience.
In this next chapter of member organization, connection, meeting, and learning – our name badges have shifted. We might go around at the start of a meeting and introduce ourselves from our Brady Bunch display on Zoom – our name proudly displayed below our face – but that is just the beginning of personalization.
I was recently in a meeting where we started changing the name below each of our video shots to be more ribbon-esque. There were little insights into personality, imagination, and – as some continued to update their digital ribbon aka their name bar – commentary on what they were thinking about what we were discussing.
So, yes – you can play with backgrounds and be underwater or in outer space – that is also fun. Yet, when you are looking for an easy way to connect and personalize a digital meeting experience – take a moment to create-your-own-ribbon – even in isolation we should have a bit of flair!
Lowell Aplebaum, FASAE, CAE, CPF is the CEO and Strategy Catalyst of Vista Cova – a company that partners with organizations on strategic visioning and planning, creating stronger governance models, and reimagining value and engagement. Lowell frequently provides dynamic sessions to organizations – conducting deep-dive interviews and getting members and volunteers involved through experiential learning approaches. He is the creator of a master-level learning series called Through the CEO Lens and Association Charrette – a co-creation retreat experience. His work on global efforts for associations has included experience across five continents, hundreds of volunteer groups, and all 50 states in the U.S
