For years, I have been using Sandbox analogies for work. One of my favorites, “I love going to work every day. I get to play with some great toys (supporting my clients marketing with new programs and strategies) and make some great friends (team members, clients and vendors).”
When thinking through what I wanted Sandbox Lessons to become, I knew I wanted to work with folks I have built relationships over my entire professional career. These relationships meant a lot to me, they weren’t transactional, but rooted in deep friendships, some that have lasted for more than three decades.
I have bounced the concept of Sandbox Lessons off my past partners at Allison, I connected with college peers, friends, past clients, and vendors. I shared my vision to work with colleagues that wanted to focus on purpose and what that would look like and created the working term for our team members, “Sandbox Scholars.” These scholars have all helped shape incredible company cultures and would come together in a retreat to build out the services and products we could offer our clients.
I met with a senior consultant Rich Gold who said, “prior to your retreat, think through your goals and objectives, write your vision for the Sandbox so the others could brainstorm off of them.” I loved his counsel as it forced me to really focus on what and how Sandbox Lessons could differ from other consulting firms.
A few weeks later, I hosted a retreat at the Ventura Ranch KOA with a handful of colleagues to pressure test the directions. We spent a few days really thinking through the opportunities and outcomes we wanted to provide for our clients. One of my friends, Kerjon Lee, summed up our concepts with a great analogy. After listening to what was shared, he said we were shaping a new type of Disneyland.
Knowing that I loved Disney lore and that my wife and I had a Beauty and the Beast themed wedding, this hit home for me. Each land represented a personal passion area for me to offer different types of consulting. One land would be a home for nonprofits services where we would bring together an official team of knowledgeable experts. Another land would be educational institutions, and we would bring together associates who have a passion for education and mentorship. And a third land would be a brand home where we could bring consultants together who wanted to help companies build immersive work cultures and internal communications campaigns.
What I liked even more as the Disney concept sank in, the Sandbox potentially could only get bigger. Like Walt Disney said, “The park means a lot to me in that it’s something that will never be finished. Something that I can keep developing, keep plussing and adding to—it’s alive. It will be a live, breathing thing that will need changes.”
Truly, if I could have a dream job, it would be playing in the Sandbox. Every day is different. New challenges, new opportunities, and the ability to work with like-minded people who also want to make a difference. Follow us, as we spend the next few weeks, months and years, into a playground that many will want to play and show outcomes that build winning cultures.
