RECLAIMING GREEN with Confidence, Authority and Integrity
I recently had the opportunity to join forces with two industry powerhouses, Gagan Levy of creative agency Guru and Julia Collins of Planet FWD, to co-create and -facilitate a workshop at Ripple Fest, OSC’s annual leadership conference. Read on to learn about our deep-dive into data and storytelling, key takeaways from the session, and how to receive a free one-hour “data + storytelling” consultation.
Attendees got to work brainstorming the headlines they wanted to see in 2030 - and ID'ing the data they'd need to prove their impact.
The vibe was relaxed inside the rustic Sonoma County barn. While some sat casually cross-legged on the floor or on floor cushions, everyone was there to get to work. Soon, the room hummed with energy, ideas, and collaboration.
All too often, the biggest obstacles to storytelling with data are the inevitable delays and snafus that pop up along the way — as well as siloed teams, which can have a hard time alchemizing when they so infrequently interact, let alone collaborate.
On this day, however, we invited attendees to think BIG and unobstructed, starting with the bold headlines they want to see in their industries – from soil health and supply chain transparency to community empowerment and sustainable packaging.
But this wasn’t about vague promises. Once those headlines were written, we asked them to back up their vision with the cold, hard data they’d need to prove it. We even provided an "Impact Storytelling Framework" developed by Planet FWD to guide their journey.
Courtesy of Planet FWD
The ultimate goal of our session? To inspire these innovators to:
Reclaim "green" from greenwashers.
Proudly prioritize and promote impact over promises.
Embrace data as currency and change as a reward.
Break down the silos between the data-keepers and the storytellers.
“By quantifying our impact - and singing it from the rooftops - we were able to earn consumers’ trust back. But more importantly, we have ignited the passion of a generation that now sees that positive change is possible.”
In today’s world, where it can be hard to differentiate the greenwashers from the green warriors, we focused on providing tools to empower leaders to confidently set themselves apart from the "green noise” by demonstrating their real-world impact through data. For example, Gagan pointed out that tools like Maha Global, a reputation intelligence platform that unifies company behavior and public perception in real time, can reveal data that will help leaders and brands navigate next-best-step opportunities and risks.
But let's be real, data alone can be a little sleepy. This is where brand personality and stories that resonate with our audience's values become essential. Julia nailed this point, sharing her inspiring learnings with Moonshots, Patagonia Provisions and Numi Organic Tea's Carbon Label, a project that is near and dear to both of our hearts.
So what are the key takeaways that you can apply to your organization?
Shoot for the Moon: There will be time to pressure test your ideas later. Don’t miss the important step of thinking big, bold and audacious. Our participants did, and they left the session feeling inspired, armed with the knowledge and confidence to tell their impact stories with integrity.
Build Trust Through Data: We provided clear strategies for positioning yourself as a reliable source, ensuring your narrative stands out among the “green noise.”
Be Loud and Proud: We explored how, when and where to leverage the right channels and collaborations to spread the message far and wide.
This workshop wasn't just about telling stories; it was about inspiring action. By embracing transparency, data, and authentic storytelling, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that transforms our industries and our world.