Welcome to a 3Headed World Design introduction to a process to create a Sudden Money Institute One-Page Protocol.
The basic premise is we all have three heads – or ways of learning. visual – auditory and kinesthetic. I have experienced from years of teaching in the classroom and to hundreds of adults – that we all have all three ways present in the way that we learn, but sometimes one way is more activated. And that is why people tend to say “I’m a visual learner” or I’m an auditory learner.”
There are many other theories and formulas to explain different learning styles – digital auditory, Gardner’s multiple intelligences, personality styles, etc. There is also the theory that it’s all just a theory!
If we use these broad stokes, though, of understanding in your presentations and one-page protocols - they should be appealing to everyone – regardless of their learning style preferences.
To support the Visual aspect – try to use graphs, diagrams, color-coding and images. Remember the visual is seeing and reading what is on the page and learning from the diagrams more than listening to you. Any major points you make in your verbal explanation needs to be represented on the page.
Here we have samples of simple graphs – diagrams – diagrams that show a process – and beautiful images that are important to include in any design, but especially important to include for your visual learners.
To support the auditory aspect - it’s all about the sequence, the sound of your words, the size of the font. Auditory learners will scan a page looking for something to grab onto. If they don’t have it – they will go somewhere else – to the next sound they hear. They want to hear you go through the process – and they might like to repeat it back to you – let them. The more they hear their own voice making the points – the more they will understand it.
Diagrams that show sequence – left to right – top to bottom (like we have in what we call “The Grid”, large font sizes and beautiful sounding words, and process – these are the elements that help an auditory learner. Try to use headlines and tag lines that are short, pithy and memorable – a lot like a song title! Most people now have learned to scan a page to learn . This is why you should have a minimal amount of text on a one-page protocol.
To support the Kinesthetic aspect – make sure there is a connection back to the client. The feelings need to be engaged in a positive way for the process to be effective. That’s why their first impression with the protocol is so important. Tell the story of why you use one-page protocols – make it relevant to their situation. Let them hold the page so they feel like they have a grasp on it. Make sure you use the words your client is using to explain particular points. For example; If you are showing an account name, and the official name is Bank of America Savings Account, but your client always calls it – My Vacation Account – make sure you use those exact words on the page .
It needs to feel good (visually) and there needs to be a way of relating to others who have already used this process. Using video to tell the story is an excellent way to satisfy the kinesthetic need for connection. If you have video of client testimonials talking about their use of one-page protocols – that would be an excellent way to develop connection to the process. If there are emotions that are components of the protocol – acknowledge them on the page with either symbols or words. Sounds a little silly, but a little self-drawn happy face can go a long way sometimes!
So, how do you include all of these things on one page? It seems like a lot to ask!
You might want to start with a visual structure. Think about the process you want to explain. The Sudden Money Institute has many One-Page Protocols already you can use, or start with, to create a one-page process for your client. Or you can create your own customized page, but always start with a basic visual structure. You can sketch this out a couple of different ways before you commit to a design.
Then add sequence. A One-Page Protocol always has a flow to it. Something is moving – the money is moving – from one place to another. Use arrows – design it top to bottom – or left to right. But always have a sequence or flow so they can follow the money.
Then make sure it contains shared terminology. A One-Page Protocol is a custom-designed page for the client. The most important thing you can do to create a strong connection is to use their vocabulary and their words.
And make sure it fits on one page! Why? For many reasons; for a visual – it means they can see the whole flow in one fell swoop as if it is one large diagram, for an auditory it means they can see the sequence and know where everything is going, and for the kinesthetic they feel at ease knowing they can hold it all so simply on one page. For all three it really equals feeling safe. One thing to consider is if you already know how the finished page will look – you might want to consider drawing it live – right there with your client. Then give them the pen so they can make points on it, too. This co-creating process is especially helpful for all three learning styles. The visual will have a hand in creating how it looks , the auditory will be able to repeat the process in their own words and draw over the sequence flow, and the kinesthetic will “get” the process on a deeper level if allowed to have a hand in the creation of it.
So, remember the basic premise…We all have all three heads – or ways of learning.
And we can create one-page protocols that support all three of these learning styles.
There are many tips – but here are a few. If you create the one-page WITH your client there will be a higher retention, connection, and trust developed. After you’ve created it – you can take it back and make it pretty if you want and give it back to your client. By having the client explain it back to you – you’ve engaged an auditory learning style that will deepen the commitment to the process, if they hear the sound of their own voice saying it. By giving the pen to the client as you are going over the page – they can circle, underline – make the arrows bigger – all things that help to define the flow and create a deeper connection.
Enjoy the process! I would love to see what you create here and with your clients in the future. If you have any questions – please feel free to contact me directly. Or contact The Sudden Money Institute for more information.