Situation
In the enterprise needs analysis I conducted with 60+ product leaders across Microsoft, one need was louder than all others. Team managers and leads wanted video segments that they could use to inspire their teams to see accessibility as a driver for innovation in Microsoft’s future products, and they wanted these videos to put a face on our customers who depended on these features to use our software.
Task
I set about writing storyboards for two series: several 30 second shorts showing people with and without disabilities both using the same accessible feature to make their devices come alive; and an 8 minute video that demonstrated the history and possible future of accessibility as an enabler of all Microsoft customers and distinct competitive advantage for the company.
I hired a team of contractors to help me create my vision, and wrote the scripts for both series. I co-directed 15 professional actors in the filming of these series.
Results
Both series received instant praise from both my leadership and the managers and leads who used them in my pilot runs of the videos. Managers found them highly effective in putting an empathetic and innovative spin on why accessibility is so important in today’s world.