“Electricity” is a captivating song in the acclaimed Broadway hit (and movie) Billy Elliott. The song is actually the answer to a question the evaluator asked 11-year-old Billy after he had auditioned for a slot at the Royal Ballet School in London; “What does it feel like when you’re dancing?” The song was written by Elton John and Lee Hall. Here are a few of the lyrics.
I can’t really explain it, I haven’t got the words.
It’s a feeling that you can’t control.
I suppose it’s like forgetting, losing who you are
And at the same time something makes you whole.
It’s like that there’s a music, playing in your ear
And I’m listening, and I’m listening, and then I disappear.
The lyrics capture exactly what it feels like to me to write a book. Inside Your Customer’sImagination is my 24th book. Creating this book included hours and hours of feeling controlled by a wonderful spirit that provided the content which I merely transcribed. There were countless moments of disappearing into a different world where partnerships rendered magical moments and amazing results. All my attempts at metaphor-ing and word picturing my writing experience fall short of “really explaining it.” Like young Billy, I haven’t got the words. I cannot explain how I wrote it.
But I can for certain tell you this: I have witnessed the purity of a provider and a customer partnering to innovate. I have been in the room when the union of ingenuity and connectiveness yielded magic. I have been the catalyst, observer, coach, and instigator of collaborative efforts that were as much art as science; as emotional as rational, generating a result that was original, rare and very valuable. This book attempts to be your treasure map to that powerful and poignant conclusion.
I feel very fortunate this manuscript was given to me to share with you. It was crafted with one goal: to foster innovation through a partnership, not just a relationship, between a provider and a customer. My dream is that it energizes and enriches your partnerships. Like the photo on the book cover, may it bring colorful sprinkles to all your alliances.
Inside Your Customer’s Imagination is out today! Order a copy for yourself here or buy the book in bulk for your entire service team here.
If you would like your bulk copies signed by me, you can order them directly from me here.