MĀKARZINE™
Once all Mākarshop sessions are completed, clients receive their own digital Mākarzine. Mākarzines are collections of Mākarshop poems and reflections summarizing the findings and insights from the data collected during the Mākarshop. That’s right. Impact Mākars designs a product using the original content created by the Mākarshop participants (Mākarshoppers).
Mākarzines allow leadership and management teams to better understand their employees to implement innovative workplace changes to boost engagement. Because Mākarshoppers are creating original content, Mākarzines allow advertising and marketing departments to use the content to innovate their communication methods.
Below is a breakdown of the 7 stages of Mākarzine.
1. Cover
The front cover includes a photo of the Mākarshoppers and the Mākarshop title.
2. Intro
A Mākarshop overview consists of the the description and takeaways for the session. Mākarshop Lines are assigned to the Mākarshoppers to begin their poems. Mākarshop lines relate to the topic of the session and a Mākarshop title page begins the poetry section.
3. Poetry
Mākarshop lines are divided into ACTS. Each ACT is named after the Mākarshop line (see example below: I Present Myself A Certain Way At Work). For this ACT, each poem beginning with the line, I Present Myself A Certain Way At Work is included in this section. Poems can be used to open up team meetings and conferences to better engage attendees. Mākarshop Striking Lines are highlights from the poems.
4. Number of Mākarshoppers & Poems Created
The number of Mākarshoppers in one session has ranged from 20 to 200. Yes, 200 poems have been created in one session. Mākarshops can be 60 to 90 minutes, based on discussion and performances.
5. Notifications & Reflections (insights)
While the Mākarshop is in session, Mākarshoppers reflect on the topic using an interactive data collection tool called notifications. Notifications are blue sheets of paper where Mākarshoppers jot down their thoughts and ideas in real-time (while poems are being created). After Mākarshoppers jot their thoughts down, they ball up the blue sheets and toss them up front. This cultivates a relaxing and loose environment for employees to further open up in a playful way. The blue sheets are also used for reflections at the end of the session for employees to provide feedback and add anything they haven’t expressed in the poem. Notifications and reflections allow management and leadership teams to better understand what their employees are thinking to design practices that better address their needs.
6. Mākarshop Playlist
While the Mākarshop is in session, music accompanies the Mākarshoppers to create a multi-sensory experience. The music allows participants to open up more and guide them in their writing. The songs selected will differ according to the Mākarshop topic and the background of the Mākarshoppers.
7. Photos
The last section of Mākarzine includes photos of Mākarshoppers in action. Companies can use photos on social media channels to communicate to the public how their employees are engaged, creative, and collaborative.
Mākarshops conclude with engaging performances to complete the experience in a memorable way.