Face Time

Greetings.  Saddled with debt from going to university, two enterprising British students decided to start a new venture as a way to pay off their loans.  The result was Buy My Face, a company that literally sells advertising space on their faces.

If you think this sounds like a crazy idea you're probably right.  But it often takes a crazy idea to stand out from the herd.  And in an era being driven by the power of social media and the energy of young, creative and slightly crazy people, this idea is capturing a lot of attention as a wide variety of companies are competing to buy face time on the faces of Ross Harper and Ed Moyse, the "Supreme Chancellor" and "Executive Titan" of the business.  Face time that they hope will go viral on the web and possibly catch a bit of attention as the two travel around town as walking billboards for news channels, radio stations, potato chips (or "crisps" as they are called in the UK), tech companies and even the accounting firm Ernst & Young. 

It's a fascinating idea that has powerful implications for you and your company or organization–implications that stretch way beyond simply advertising on faces.  Because it suggests the real power of all of our faces in influencing the markets and customers we hope to serve.  And the power of all of our faces when we seek to innovate, collaborate and build the most successful organizations.  So try to imagine what you would say if you had the chance to write something on your face.  Or on the faces of all of your colleagues or employees.  What message would you write on this small and compelling billboard that would quickly create a meaningful impression?  An impression that might inspire someone to connect with you as a customer or a co-worker.  An impression that might demonstrate that you were the perfect partner.  

And then imagine the power of our own expressions to make a connection when they aren't painted with logos or tag lines.  Do we signal our clear intention to learn, share, serve and work together in order to make a difference.  As walking advertisements for why anyone would want to do business or team up with us.

We win in business and in life when we unlock the power of our faces. After all, we are always walking billboards for the products, services and solutions we offer, the way we engage…and the things that we hold dear.

Cheers!