Picture this:

The High-End Strategy Consultants Sam hired have delivered their work and moved on. Sam didn’t choose “Platinum” and cannot call them.

Now, Sam’s briefing Alex, the messaging/content/copywriting contractor. Sam thinks of Alex as an order-taker (though they ask much more of them than that).

FADE IN:

INT. ZOOM CALL — DAY (OR NIGHT…WHO CAN TELL?)
Both sides have their backgrounds blurred.

On Screen One, SAM, 47, looks impatient and anxious. On Screen Two, ALEX, 38, looks slightly uneasy but is forcing a smile.

SAM

We’re going to go to market with this new consulting offer, positioning ourselves as the leading authority.

ALEX

Okay, how do you want to talk about it?

SAM

We’ll lean on our expertise and authority.

ALEX

Okay, which particular examples were you thinking of?

SAM

How long we’ve been in business, and our results.

ALEX

Okay, and what testimonials and case studies can we use?

SAM

We don’t have any—we don’t like to bother our clients.

ALEX

Okay, then, which person should we position as the expert?

SAM

We don’t have a face of the business; we’ve always avoided that.

ALEX

Okay, and did you tell the strategy team this?

SAM

They didn’t ask.

FADE (INTO OBSCURITY).

THE END

Hat tip to friend of the list, Rowan Price. His recent piece on the inseparability of messaging and strategy inspired today’s scene.

Here’s my favourite quote from Rowan:

“Messaging keeps business strategy honest; wherever you get one, get the other from the same place.”

Cinematically,
James

P.S. Further hat tip to Jonathan Alger for making me think a screenplay would make a great email 🙂

P.P.S. I’m not trying to dunk on High-End Strategy Consultants—they probably would have asked.