Case Study: Creatifying with Shopify
What do you get when you cross the Learning Team from one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms with The Making-Box? You get the digital-equivalent of that scene in Dead Poet’s Society where the kids stand on their desks: a team explodes with new creative energy, and becomes more closely connected in the process.
Who They ARE:
Shopify is an e-commerce platform with over 1.7 million customers worldwide. The Learning Acceleration team designs and leads on-boarding and development programs. Within the LA team are Learning Experience Designers, a Delivery Team (known as the “The Postal Service”) and Program Managers.
Why They Called:
After six months of leading learning programs during a global pandemic and hiring surge, the LA team was feeling like they were “finally coming out of the storm”. However, routine on-boarding and leadership development activities were starting to feel stale. A need to “add more fun” to learning programs was apparent. It was important to heighten this team’s “ability to see creative opportunities where they are” and possess the confidence to experiment.
During “the storm” there was little opportunity for bonding. So, in addition to exploring new skills, fun was essential.
What We Did:
A 2-hour program with 20 participants via Zoom focused on fostering team connection and creative risk-taking.
First, a series of energizing activities to get everyone feeling connected in a joyful space. Then, we introduced the fundamental applied improvisation tenant of “Yes, And” and explored how it can accelerate creative collaboration.
The session concluded with what we call “The Lab”. Small teams are given 5 minutes to co-create a new connector/energizer/closer using a piece of inspiration (ie. something in their space that is yellow). Teams then set-up and test-flight their new activity back in the main room. The LA Team prototyped three new tools (with wonderful names like; Pillow Talk, Lemons, even T-Rex Time Machine) delighting in the challenge and excitement of experimentation.
What They Said:
“The following day we did our health check and had an incredible result in measures for team trust and connection. The next week we had a meeting to brainstorm ideas of how to bring more fun into our learning and development programs. The team used the techniques you offered as a starting point.”
-Wanda Santini, Senior Learning Lead at Shopify
100% of participants reported that they had fun
91% of participants reported they had new tools to apply in their work
Overall average satisfaction rating 4.73 / 5
What Happened as a Result:
Since this first workshop, we’ve been resourced by 6 other teams at Shopify.
One of the tools we introduced became so widely used across Shopify that when we approached new teams, we had to adjust our programming assuming they had already experienced one of core exercises.
What we Learned:
People at Shopify call themselves Shopifolx.
Shopifolx are now digital by default, and we’ve been able to help them find connection in the process.
Creatify isn’t a word. But should be.