Iconic image needed!
January 6, 2010 7:38 PM Subscribe
Iconic image needed to represent change within a business. This would be an image for the employees to rally around that would represent how their effort is radically changing things for the better.
Controversy about the war aside, a great example of such an image is when the statue of Saddam Hussein was pulled down in 2003.
Looking for something that will inspire people and is appropriate for a business atmosphere.
Controversy about the war aside, a great example of such an image is when the statue of Saddam Hussein was pulled down in 2003.
Looking for something that will inspire people and is appropriate for a business atmosphere.
This is a psyops stunt... that said, how about the fall of the Berlin wall? Assuming you're in the US, that (also staged) Iwo Jima flag-raising image might work.
posted by pompomtom at 7:53 PM on January 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by pompomtom at 7:53 PM on January 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
I don't think that anyone who doesn't already buy into their job will be convinced to do so by comparing it to something totally unrelated. You'd probably have more luck trying to find images that are directly relevant to your company specifically. For example, if employees' efforts are really radically changing things for the better, find some customers/clients whose lives have been radically improved in this way, and figure out a way to make those stories iconic.
posted by No-sword at 8:11 PM on January 6, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by No-sword at 8:11 PM on January 6, 2010 [2 favorites]
You'd metaphorically need something/someone to hold the nazi/villain place: iconic photos of the French Liberation in 44. Also, these are often photos of smiling girls with a certain subtext.
Otherwise you might want to go with canonical photos of pioneering scientists/engineers, if people at your work would know who they are (but please no Einstein).
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 8:45 PM on January 6, 2010
Otherwise you might want to go with canonical photos of pioneering scientists/engineers, if people at your work would know who they are (but please no Einstein).
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 8:45 PM on January 6, 2010
Is this going to cost the company money? If so, scrap it, spend the money on something for the employees, and take a picture of them liking it.
I don't know -- the most inspiring image I've seen lately is that happy grinning guy next to his $15 million Pancake Batter In A Can invention.
posted by Sallyfur at 9:41 PM on January 6, 2010
I don't know -- the most inspiring image I've seen lately is that happy grinning guy next to his $15 million Pancake Batter In A Can invention.
posted by Sallyfur at 9:41 PM on January 6, 2010
Best answer: Dawn: the start of a new day. (Or something like it.)
posted by SPrintF at 9:59 PM on January 6, 2010
posted by SPrintF at 9:59 PM on January 6, 2010
Since it's a team effort, how about a great construction or engineering accomplishment? E.g. the Eads Bridge in St. Louis (ok, maybe too obscure, but it's what sprang to mind). On the plus side, you could have a great big photo of some impressive construction that's interesting to look at.
Just don't go for the Pyramids---how will your workers feel?
posted by tss at 10:05 PM on January 6, 2010
Just don't go for the Pyramids---how will your workers feel?
posted by tss at 10:05 PM on January 6, 2010
The seminal scene at the start of 2001: A Space Odyssey when the caveman is bashing the shit out of his long-dead enemy and that shard of bone goes flying.
Or when the caveman found the plinth-like thing from the future that represented enlightenment[?].
I don't have any screen capture software and I'm not sure if you can get a good image that has all the characteristics you need.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 1:59 AM on January 7, 2010
Or when the caveman found the plinth-like thing from the future that represented enlightenment[?].
I don't have any screen capture software and I'm not sure if you can get a good image that has all the characteristics you need.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 1:59 AM on January 7, 2010
A phoenix.
A bunch of people under a Macy's Thanksgiving Day style parade balloon in the shape of your company logo.
Your company logo made out of people holding their legs in letter shapes. (that could be fun to actually have your employees do this during a pizza party and take a picture)
posted by carlh at 3:51 AM on January 7, 2010
A bunch of people under a Macy's Thanksgiving Day style parade balloon in the shape of your company logo.
Your company logo made out of people holding their legs in letter shapes. (that could be fun to actually have your employees do this during a pizza party and take a picture)
posted by carlh at 3:51 AM on January 7, 2010
My issue with this is such:
- Any iconic image from history will be directly associated with that particular very important event in history
- If an employee doesn't think their work is important, showing them a picture of a very important event in history might further cement their position that their work is not as important as that very important event in history
I'd find something more abstract, or interactive.
Or the scene from superman where he crushes coal into a diamond.
posted by CharlesV42 at 5:37 AM on January 7, 2010
- Any iconic image from history will be directly associated with that particular very important event in history
- If an employee doesn't think their work is important, showing them a picture of a very important event in history might further cement their position that their work is not as important as that very important event in history
I'd find something more abstract, or interactive.
Or the scene from superman where he crushes coal into a diamond.
posted by CharlesV42 at 5:37 AM on January 7, 2010
When the winds of change blow hard enough, the most trivial things can become deadly projectiles.
posted by themel at 6:25 AM on January 7, 2010
posted by themel at 6:25 AM on January 7, 2010
I second No-sword -- if at all possible, it should be directly related to what your staff does. If you just put up a poster of a random mountain, I for one would be thinking, "Why am I not out there actually climbing actual mountains, rather than stuck in this cubicle managing our orthopedic shoe accounts?"
If you make orthopedic shoes, picture of a smiling granny who can now walk herself to the shop, for example. Or of my military friend with a metatarsal injury, who couldn't go more than a mile until he found the right shoes! One nice letter from a real person is the best motivator in the world.
Or, as TSS suggests, find a team effort from history- but try to find one that a commonality with your crew-- plucky team from your home state, or a historical precent specific to your project, ideally from a period with funny hats. Something with a story. A generic image would be worse than nothing, I think.
(If it can't be directly relatable, I strongly suggest you go for funny. The road to ridicule gapes wide here. You can't go wrong with comic books, I always say, especially if your crew battles spear-wielding giraffes. The age of your staff may be a factor here.)
posted by Erasmouse at 7:04 AM on January 7, 2010
If you make orthopedic shoes, picture of a smiling granny who can now walk herself to the shop, for example. Or of my military friend with a metatarsal injury, who couldn't go more than a mile until he found the right shoes! One nice letter from a real person is the best motivator in the world.
Or, as TSS suggests, find a team effort from history- but try to find one that a commonality with your crew-- plucky team from your home state, or a historical precent specific to your project, ideally from a period with funny hats. Something with a story. A generic image would be worse than nothing, I think.
(If it can't be directly relatable, I strongly suggest you go for funny. The road to ridicule gapes wide here. You can't go wrong with comic books, I always say, especially if your crew battles spear-wielding giraffes. The age of your staff may be a factor here.)
posted by Erasmouse at 7:04 AM on January 7, 2010
If it's not politically sensitive, there's always Obama shooting hoops. I always like this photo for some reason ... makes me think of having fun while doing good work.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:51 AM on January 7, 2010
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:51 AM on January 7, 2010
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posted by StickyCarpet at 7:51 PM on January 6, 2010 [1 favorite]