I took part in a Jeffersonian lunch today that Stan Phelps started. For those not familiar with it (as I was not), The tradition of a Jeffersonian Dinner (for us lunch) began at the home of Thomas Jefferson in the late 1800’s. A man of many talents and with a deep curiosity of the world around him, Jefferson was to known to invite thought leaders and influencers of his time from a range of backgrounds and fields– whether it be the arts, sciences, current affairs, philosophy or literature — to share in conversation and debate on a particular topic. By engaging in a single conversation, with only one person speaking at a time, Jefferson and his guests were able to unlock the power of their collective wisdom. The purpose was simple: to listen, learn, and inspire one another through meaningful dialogue around a particular topic.
The question that was asked was "What do you see happening differently in the tangible world of communications?" I responded that mailing packaging was becoming more prevalent as a way to get in front of executives versus the online communications. Basically the "real" inbox at your office desk is pretty empty these days as everyone races to email and online ads; so you will get noticed through a mailing.
Second, a dimensional piece is intriguing and has that "gift-like" presence. You can then couple it with Augmented Reality if you want to add an interactive component, but it's not a requirement; it's more important to be relevant and timely.
The next time you really want to get someone's attention, mail them something. Research proves it stays with them both physically and mentally longer than any other channel.
