My LSP (LEGO SERIOUS PLAY) Journey, and its battle with ROI (Return on Investment)
When Digital Marketing Hit the Target
Digital marketing has a way of targeting just the right audience. For me, it was the LSP (Lego Serious Play) Facilitator’s Certification. What those ads didn’t spell out was the most and all-important ROI (Return on Investment), especially since the certification comes at a steep price. Early in 2023, I became the target, perhaps of persuasive marketers, or maybe because of an algorithm that knew me too well; and I gave in to the promos.
The Conversion Happened
Six months later I was packing my bags, flight tickets and accommodation booked! Yay! It was time for Destination Kochi. LSP always chooses destinations and properties that have a sense of calm and a ‘no rush’ quality to them, which I think every Mumbaikar craves for. Add to that the 5 star resort, food, the casual dress code, and the experience, the 4 days of the programme were just blissful, even amidst all the first time learnings which were at times like ‘bouncers’ (a term in cricket game where the ball goes over the head).
The Fellow Participants
Almost all the participants, barring a few freelancers like me, were sponsored by their organisations and companies that already had a fair idea of what LSP is. Many of them had experienced LSP beforehand in short formats at their workplaces, and were chosen to participate in the Facilators’ programme to help capacity building of their teams.
What Exactly is LSP?
Of course, when it’s Lego, it’s about bricks, and building models with the bricks and Duplos (larger bricks and figurines like houses, elephants, etc.). There were methodologies, techniques, and hierarchies in which steps had to be introduced, unlike other programmes where one can bring in their own methods of doing things. LSP on the contrary, I realised, is very technical, and hence involves a lot of concentration. The only place where one could paint outside the box is when building their unique models, where each model brought out individual perspectives, and stories from individual experiences and pasts.
Mesmerised by LSP
There were so many ‘wow’ moments, how one thing could lead to another, the cumulative effect that a decision could have, how real is the brain and hand connection, leading to stories being told from the heart, and letting the participants frame their ‘Simple Guiding Principles’ based on their models. There were times when I was surprised by the potential that I held within me, the untold aspects that could be explored – all brick by brick. The models that I built were way too simple as compared to my fellow participants, but they were mine, and each model told a story, stories that connected with other models, as we painted a bigger picture of cooperation, coordination, and winners that a team could come up with when they worked as one, in spite of their individualism and diverse backgrounds shaping it.
The Moment of (LSP) Truth
Back in Mumbai, it was implementation time. With all my excitement, I approached one of the senior-most, wisest, most highly educated, visionary, sensible, and street- and market-smart people I know and have ever met. My mentor. I was facing ‘the moment of truth’. The questions posed:
- Can the interventions be done digitally?
- How much did you spend to get qualified?
- Could you have qualified online?
- Did you explore the market first?
- Is this really suited for Indian corporates, especially the ones in Mumbai?
- And finally, the clincher. What is the ROI?
The Persuasion Began
Then came my explanations, the intervention has to be experiential as it’s all about the head and hands connection, gave them the numbers for my expenses, told them that as of now the online options are very limited, but reiterated that it’s best conducted on an offline mode, as LSP is about touch and feel, and the stories come through that very factor.
No. I seriously had thought that all would be well in the ‘corporate land’ and the HR managers would jump at such a fantastic opportunity to introduce something different to their teams for enhancing their performance. Another realisation followed; the Indian corporates (barring a few) are still not ready for an intervention like LSP.
The Elephant Duplo in the Room
ROI, ROI, ROI – many such initiatives in the area of Learning and Development do not project an immediate ROI, and with a relatively new intervention like the LSP, ROI was a far cry. My report card was delivered. Somehow, I saved my perspective saying that, ‘for me it was like an investment in jewellery’, and I certainly felt vindicated!
The Lego Serious Potential
Having said that, LSP holds a lot of potential, and the corporates and individuals who have experienced it would be able to vouch for its transformative power. It just needs a slight push, some eye opening, and a lot of cooperation from the community of facilitators when it comes to sharing opportunities, or being transparent when it comes to charging commercials. The most important of course, is being able to align with the true sense and well researched methodologies of LSP, and not diluting the methods or steps, and using it as per individual convenience.
The Way Forward
If I chose LSP in place of some beautiful piece of jewellery, then this piece has to be displayed for it to be known to the world. The same holds true for LSP as well. We need to build more awareness on the intervention. Conduct more workshops, frequently. For LSP to thrive in India, the biggest and strongest support or push has to come from the global community of facilitators, and the LSP leaders. Till then in India, LSP will be an uphill climb that would be carrying the load of ROI, and weighed down by it.
By Deepa Natarajan, Editor, Socio Center