A few weeks ago, Rosie Lee Group celebrated its 24th birthday. Ever since our 20th birthday, we’ve wanted to celebrate our heritage in a meaningful way but it has been very challenging for various reasons (our 20th birthday was in 2020…). This year we managed to pull off an experimental 3-day long series of live-streamed conversations with some of our friends and colleagues and had a lovely time doing it, but why did we do it?
The need for experimentation
Last October, I developed a concept for our organisation called High Level Experiments with Mark. The idea had been bubbling away for some time in various formats but a few tequila-infused espresso martinis with Mark in a Mexican bar in Boston seemed to create the perfect environment for this concept to be fully conceived and agreed upon.
At the heart of our journey on this concept is a recognition of the need for experimentation within every creative organisation. The cultural environment we operate in is a dynamic ecosystem that is constantly evolving. It has never stood still, and it never should. It has always evolved but every now and then we see an evolutionary leap, and we’re in one of those right now. This leap is fuelled by a radically transformed working style, a generation that relates to their company differently to previous generations and powerful emergent technology. Combined, these forces are creating a radical transformation to the nature of our work.
High Level experiments
We believe in the transformative power of creativity, but anything that remains static will cease to be creative - it just becomes another process. Our High Level Experiments are driven by 3 core axioms:
AXIOM 1: Experimentation fuels creativity
In a world where change is the only constant, fostering an environment that allows for, and encourages, risk-taking is essential. Experimentation explores the new, and without anything new, creativity fades.
AXIOM 2: Adaptability is key
The increased, rapid pace of cultural evolution requires an adaptive approach. Banking a series of experiments provides fuel for adaptability. Our initiative is a response to this evolving landscape, ensuring that our creative pursuits don’t just ‘stay relevant’ but to ensure we are future-proofing our business.
AXIOM 3: We encourage others through action
Leadership in creativity is not just about guiding others - it's about embodying the principles we expect to see in others. Our High Level Experiments demonstrate our commitment to lead by example, encouraging our team to embrace experimentation as a core value.
HLE 001
Unorthodox Blend has been about taking risks since its inception. On paper we don’t have the time or experience to be writing a blog, and the same can definitely be said for hosting podcasts. But this is exactly the experimental spirit we are conjuring through our actions. Every time we begin to feel safe, we ratchet it up a notch.
UB Live 24 marked a celebration of this spirit but for us internally also saw our journey begin into these High Level Experiments. With 9 streamed conversations and an in-person HR panel, over 3 days, this event stood as the embodiment of our commitment to getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
HLE 002
While UB Live 24 now sits firmly in the past, it's time to launch the second of our High Level Experiments. It's no secret that the use of generative AI is quickly becoming a norm in our industry, the scale of which depends on where you are on the adoption curve, how much time you have to experiment and your current state of mind regarding ethics.
In line with our concept of taking risks, we have decided to jump right in. In the next few weeks we will be re-launching Against Time to be a technology-driven creative unit within our group. This unit was born during the pandemic to take on the hyper-current challenges that brands faced AT still sits firmly in this position, it's just that the current challenges are now different. (if you want to learn more then follow AT on Instagram).
Is it working?
UB Live 24 was not just about the discussions that took place; it was about the ideas that emerged, the human connections and the inspirations we gained from talking with great people. But maybe even more important than any of this has been getting that excited/nervous feeling inside of us - like stepping out on stage or being on a roller coaster.
That feeling tells us that we’re pushing beyond what we’re comfortable with. We’re breaking through and achieving the internal strategy, the personal training and the role-modelling of risk-taking.
And we’re getting that same feeling again around the evolved Against Time. While we’re compiling the new portfolio website, and updating social media channels, we’re trusting that part of ourselves that believes in disruption and jumping in two feet first.
Experimentation for life
Through our HLEs, we are showing ourselves and others that we’re committed to the principles of experimentation, adaptability and leadership, knowing that the future belongs to those who dare to experiment. And if it all fails, then it’ll be a hell of a ride anyway!
Written by Russell