I'm looking for a mascot, of sorts. We are going through a significant
operational and organizational change as a company. I'm  utilizing a
variety of change management methodologies, include a change
management communications and a change management incentive program. I
would like a mascot/character/theme.  I was originally thinking of a
chameleon, and had started to prep materials in that context, however,
upon further research I discovered that a chameleon essentially
changes color to communicate a state of tension, fear, anger or
acceptance versus a change to accommodate a new environment (which was
my original context.)

I'm looking for suggestions of other "mascots" or "themes" for my
change management program. It doesn't have to be an animal/reptile...
just something that I can create an iconic visual around.  I want to
make up funky t-shirts and incentives/promotional items.  I want it to
be fun.

Further details about the process change that may help:  We're
implementing a very robust product development process including
development teams, portfolio management and architectural frameworks.
This will involve significant "upgrades" (for lack of a better word)
to the more informal processes (or lack thereof) we've been using for
the past few years.  Areas of control are moving from one functional
group to another, and there are the normal fear of change/resistance
issues going on that I want to help overcome via helping people
understand and buy into the new way of doing things.  I'm also
educating them in extreme detail, and this mascot will be wrapped into
the incentive program that will be used to reward the change agents in
the company...

Any ideas?

Dear margi-ga :

Sure, why not? I'll post my suggestion as an answer - not because I'm
greedy - but for a diferent reason entirely...and I'll tell you why:

You are one of the very few people who have come here and asked for
constructive "suggestions", and received them, and stuck around long
enough to actually offer to pay for them. Your honesty, integrity and
good faith customer approach is both refreshing and greatly
appreciated. You are a superb example to the all-too-frequent
deadbeats who never actually follow through with their grand offers in
exchange for unrealistic expectations.

Rather than repost my suggestion and merely take up space here, I'll
simply redirect you to my comments as my official answer.

Thanks again. You're a great customer and I think I speak for all of
us when I say that I anxiously look forward to next time. I wish you
the best of luck.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

This was fun. Thank you Tutuzdad for the exhange (and the ego boost),
and thanks to everyone who participated. I only put a $4 because I've
seen in the past where GAs tended to avoid similar types of questions
(like "what should I name my company?" and "what should I call this or
that?" (versus the links-to-resources type of post), and I didn't know
what to expect. While that made it easy to meet my expectations, it
didn't ensure satisfaction... but I feel I have a lot here to work
with, and it was worth the time to post.  I won't be as tentative next
time.  I can usually come up with this stuff on my own, but my mindset
towards the chameleon was a block to other ideas.  Thanks again...

The butterfly is a classic symbol of change in the sense of growth and
transformation. How amazing it is that a creeping, worm-like
caterpillar can become a soaring, beautiful winged creature.

Butterfly would be an excellent icon - just be careful of the msn.com icon :-)

Ooooh, pinkfreud, I do love butterflies. Why didn't that ever occur to me?

That brings to mind another element: I should note that the functional
groups that are impacted are almost entirely males in the 30-60 year
old age range. Average age is probably about 42 or so.  About 90-100
people will be affected in all. Maybe 3 of them are women. Probably
85% of them are dominantly left-brained, and the other 15% are
somewhere in the middle. There's not one right brained person in the
bunch.  Do you think that matters?

If you looked through my prior posts, you would probably guess this
was a right-brained organization, however, in this case I have an
engagement with a systems integrator for government infrastructure
programs. I'm leading the process re-engineering for the product
development process and will be dealing primarily with developers,
engineers and R&D guys.

I bet I could use the butterfly in another, future engagement sometime, however. :-)

How about the phoenix, a mythical bird that rises reborn from its own
ashes? The phoenix might be perceived as a more "masculine" symbol of
change and renewal than the butterfly.

Men, huh? Ok, I'm thinking "TREE"

Something profound that a thinker could appreciate and easily
interpret. A variation of this photo concept as an example (but using
your own original inspiring image of course):

http://wallpaper.microchiot.com/i/wpp_800/8/5/Tree_in_new_england_sunrise.jpg

A tree is broad, strong, unmoveable and masculine. The sunrise or
seasonal elements suggests change, growth and renewal. The fog rings
of uncharted territory and the sunrise bursting through the branches
of your image would not only be eye-catching and mesmerizing but would
also suggest power and hope for the future - the NEW DAY (and the NEW
WAY).

Am I on the right track?

tutuzdad-ga

I like both of these and can envision either working in a
communications program for change management.  Now I just need to pick
one.  But that will be a hard decision. Perhaps the first one of you
to post your response as an answer will establish the tie breaker. :-)

Of course, all folks are free to provide additional ideas.

Also, tutuzdad... I've been curious for some time. How do you
pronounce your alias? Tut Uzz Dad?  TooToo's Dad? I'm curious where
you came up with your handle. Perhaps you've answered this elsewhere.
I'll search after I post this...

It's pronounced: "Tutu's Dad"

My little daughter's nickname is Tutu, and I am literally Tutu's Dad.

Does that make me FIRT to post?

:)

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

Sorry...my question was "Does that make me FIRST to post?"

(big fingers and all that - LOL)

Dad

There's also the greek letter delta. It is often used mathematically
as a symbol for change. It's a simple triangle that offers a lot of
choices for printing and customization. It is also associated with the
elite Delta force.

- Hammer

First thing that comes to mind is a tadpole turning into a
frog/salamander.  Would a tadpole with legs work for your symbol?

I can see you are dealing with a bunch of hard nosed, pissed off males.

They are unlikely to appreciate HR bullshit, and are probably
considering a whip round for a contract on your head.

Hammer-ga's suggestion of Delta (the triangle) is the best I've seen,
but beware, in mathematics that means 'big change' - somewhat
sinister.
You could consider the lower case Delta which means 'small change'
that looks like an 8 with a bite out of its top right.

If you are going to do something horrible to 90 males of average age
42, then I suggest you get it over and done with - fast.
- hand out the pink slips, and make sure the survivors are convinced
that they are not on the next casualty list.
Uncertainty is what really hacks people off
- mind you a close second to uncertainty, is treating people like a
bunch of 5 year olds at a kids party.

I am amazed that you have been given this task, it is like getting a
cheerleader to manage a US football team.

Also, watch out, new and trendy methodologies often do not work, they
should always be run in parallel with existing systems, until they are
proven.

I wonder if you might consider something more abstract, like a leopard
with amorphous spots or even triangles?

Acorn changing to oak tree?

Wow. You guys have given me a lot to think about.  Yes, Tutuzdad, you
were the first to post, but no one has posted it as an answer. Doesn't
anyone want to get paid? LOL

I'll let everyone know what I decide to do.  I've got a working
meeting on Monday and hope to determine the go-forward plan then.

Just a separate note to frde-ga:  Folks were definitely p*ssed right
after the re-org, but it's been about 6 weeks, and cooler heads have
prevailed.  No massive lay-offs, no pink slips save one.  These guys
know they need the change, because they can't do the work in the
current environment (essentially, they are set up to fail.) So, unlike
other companies where I've re-engineered the product development
process, this is the first one that is very open to the concept on
multiple levels. (There are always the exception, and they can either
work with it or find something else.)   Also, re the "cheerleader"
comment... I've spent many months gaining trust with these guys, and
I'm a peer geek and technical product manager. I'm coming at it from a
process re-engineering angle, and using the change management to
bolster our chances for success rather than giving using it as a
rah-rah session. (And trust me, no one wants to see me in a
cheerleader outfit!)   It's pure PDMA and PMI kinds of things that
will, hopefully, get them to a level 3 or so (from a CMM perspective)
in about 24 months.

I'll supply a post early next week re: what we decide on a mascot.
Meantime, someone needs to post a formal answer and get paid...
Tutuzdad?  Pinkfreud?

Thank you, all, for your feedback and ideas. I appreciate it very
much. These have all beeen concepts I can work with and it's just a
matter of executing a plan around the best one.  Have a great weekend
everyone.

Dear margi-ga :

Sure, why not? I'll post my suggestion as an answer - not because I'm
greedy - but for a diferent reason entirely...and I'll tell you why:

You are one of the very few people who have come here and asked for
constructive "suggestions", and received them, and stuck around long
enough to actually offer to pay for them. Your honesty, integrity and
good faith customer approach is both refreshing and greatly
appreciated. You are a superb example to the all-too-frequent
deadbeats who never actually follow through with their grand offers in
exchange for unrealistic expectations.

Rather than repost my suggestion and merely take up space here, I'll
simply redirect you to my comments as my official answer.

Thanks again. You're a great customer and I think I speak for all of
us when I say that I anxiously look forward to next time. I wish you
the best of luck.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

FYI everyone... we decided on a Phoenix.  We will be using the tree in
an second campaign, and decided the butterfly would be best left to a
more right-brained company.  Thanks again.

I'm glad my suggestion of a phoenix was useful. Thanks for the follow-up!