A LITTLE BACKUP FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS
YOU SEE THE POSSIBILITY. HELP YOUR COLLEAGUES SEE IT TOO.
You can already picture the session at your event, and many of your colleagues are just as enthusiastic. But perhaps one or two still need a little reassurance. Is it too playful? Relevant enough? Worth the investment? Sometimes, the right explanation is all it takes to bring them on board.
We’ve made it easy to find the right words, with three ways to get a little backup.
GET HELP FROM YOUR OWN AI
Use our ready-to-use prompt in ChatGPT, Claude or your preferred AI assistant. It provides background on Bas’s sessions, then asks what you need help with. Explore a colleague’s concerns, draft a message or prepare for a conversation around your own event.
MEET FIVE FAMILIAR COLLEAGUES
Drawing on more than ten years of experience, we’ve brought five familiar perspectives to life. Find the colleague you recognize and use the talking points, ready-to-send emails and dedicated pages we’ve prepared for you to share with them. All designed to make things as easy as possible for you.
Prefer a personal conversation? We’re happy to help.
!! THESE PARTS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT !!
How it works
RECOGNIZE THE CONCERN. START A USEFUL CONVERSATION.
These are fictional colleagues, not fixed personality types. One person may recognize several concerns. Their questions are worth taking seriously.
Each colleague has a short guide with practical advice, something you could say and a page you can share. The shareable page focuses on their questions, without the persona description or the advice for bringing them on board.
You don’t need to send everything. Choose the one explanation, example or next step that will help most.
SOUND LIKE SOMEONE YOU KNOW?
SIMON / THE SERIOUS PROFESSIONAL
SERIOUS ABOUT BEING SERIOUS
Simon likes a clear agenda, a credible speaker and a good reason to leave his desk. “Thinking Like a Child” makes him picture party games when he was expecting a leadership session.
He wants to know the work will still be taken seriously.
WHAT’S ON HIS MIND?
“Isn’t this a bit childish?”
“Will our senior colleagues take this seriously?”
“Will people be put on the spot?”
PRIYA / THE EXPERTISE DEFENDER
SHE KNOWS WHY IT’S COMPLICATED
Priya knows the subject inside out and can explain why the obvious solution won’t work. She has earned her expertise and wants it put to good use. She wants a fresh perspective that connects with the complexity of the work.
WHAT’S ON HER MIND?
“Our challenges are highly specialized. How could this help?”
“What can children add to what our experts already know?”
“Will this connect with the reality of our work?”
ALEX / THE RESULTS SEEKER
ALREADY THINKING ABOUT MONDAY
Alex has a shelf of notebooks from inspiring events. Most haven’t been opened since. Before saying yes to another session, Alex wants to know what people will take back to work.
Fresh energy is welcome. Something useful afterward matters more.
WHAT’S ON HIS MIND?
“What will participants actually take away?”
“What could they do differently afterward?”
“How will we build on the session?”
MAYA / THE AUDIENCE GUARDIAN
SHE CAN ALREADY PICTURE THE ROOM
Maya knows who will arrive enthusiastic, who will be skeptical and who might quietly check emails at the back. She wants the session to earn its place in the program.
She wants confidence that it will connect with these people, on this particular day.
WHAT’S ON HER MIND?
“Will this work for our audience?”
“What if people are reluctant to participate?”
“Can it connect with our event theme?”
DANIEL / THE PRACTICAL DECISION-MAKER
HE HAS A SPREADSHEET FOR THAT
Daniel likes an exciting idea, especially when it comes with clear costs, sensible arrangements and no surprises. While others picture the energy in the room, he is checking the budget and timetable.
He wants a sound investment and a manageable preparation process.
WHAT’S ON HIS MIND?
“Is this worth the investment?”
“How much preparation will this require?”
“What do we arrange, and what will Bas’s team provide?”
THE SERIOUS PROFESSIONAL
HOW TO BRING SIMON ON BOARD
Simon is open to a fresh perspective. He just needs to see how “Thinking Like a Child” belongs in a professional setting. His concern may be about credibility, the reaction of senior colleagues or what participation will involve.
AN EMAIL YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN
We’ve drafted a short email that acknowledges Simon’s concerns and explains why the session could be relevant. It includes a custom made page with the showreel, professional context and participant reactions, so he can judge the experience for himself.
Copy the email below, adapt it to your event.
Subject: A fresh perspective for our event
Hi ….,
I understand your hesitation about “Thinking Like a Child.” The title might suggest something playful when we’re looking for a session with professional substance.
What appeals to me is how Bas combines our existing expertise with fresh ways of questioning familiar challenges. He has worked with organizations including IBM, Toyota and Microsoft, and audiences ranging from executive teams to legal professionals and engineers.
This page gives a better impression, including a two-minute video and participant reactions:
https://baswarmerdam.com/serious-challenges-fresh-thinking/
I think it could be relevant to what we want to achieve at our event. Have a look and let me know what you think. We can also discuss the approach and level of interaction with Bas before deciding.
Best,
….
Opens a draft in your email app. Personalize it, add your colleague’s address and send.
A FEW TIPS FOR THE CONVERSATION
START WITH YOUR OWN CHALLENGE
Connect the session to something Simon recognizes, such as stalled change or teams working in silos. Give him a concrete reason to consider a fresh perspective.
LET HIM JUDGE THE EXPERIENCE
The showreel and participant reactions give him something tangible to assess. Ask what stands out and what he would still like to understand.
MAKE PARTICIPATION CLEAR
If his concern is about being put on the spot, bring that into the briefing with Bas. Discuss the style and level of interaction before making assumptions.
INVITE HIS INPUT
Ask: “What would make this a worthwhile session for you?” His answer can help sharpen the brief and move the conversation forward.
Still a concern we haven’t covered? Tell us what’s on his mind. We’re happy to help.
BACK TO THE OVERVIEW OF THE 5 PERSONA
An impact that resonates
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THE EXPERTISE DEFENDER
HOW TO BRING PRIYA ON BOARD
Priya’s knowledge is an asset. She wants to understand how Thinking Like a Child will respect the complexity of the work and add something useful to what the experts already know.
AN EMAIL YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN
We’ve drafted a short email that recognizes Priya’s expertise and explains how the approach builds on it. It includes a page about the formula, the role of professional knowledge and how fresh perspectives can help clarify complex challenges.
Copy the email below, adapt it to your event.
Subject: A fresh perspective on the challenges we know well
Hi …,
I understand your question about what Thinking Like a Child could add to work that requires real expertise. Our challenges are complex, and any session needs to respect that.
What interests me is that expertise is the first ingredient in Bas’s approach. The session invites us to examine assumptions, explain the challenge more clearly and explore possibilities we can then assess using our professional judgment.
This page explains the thinking behind it:
https://baswarmerdam.com/fresh-perspectives-complex-challenges/
I’d like to explore whether it could help with a challenge we’re working on. Is there a question you think would be useful to bring into the briefing with Bas?
Best,
….
Opens a draft in your email app. Personalize it, add your colleague’s address and send.
A FEW TIPS FOR THE CONVERSATION
START WITH YOUR OWN CHALLENGE
Connect the session to something Simon recognizes, such as stalled change or teams working in silos. Give him a concrete reason to consider a fresh perspective.
LET HIM JUDGE THE EXPERIENCE
The showreel and participant reactions give him something tangible to assess. Ask what stands out and what he would still like to understand.
MAKE PARTICIPATION CLEAR
If his concern is about being put on the spot, bring that into the briefing with Bas. Discuss the style and level of interaction before making assumptions.
INVITE HIS INPUT
Ask: “What would make this a worthwhile session for you?” His answer can help sharpen the brief and move the conversation forward.
Still a concern we haven’t covered? Tell us what’s on his mind. We’re happy to help.