We Deciphering the Drama: How Dozef Maxima and Pixar’s 22 Rules Can Revolutionize Product Communication

Gedi
4 min readMay 7, 2024

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Welcome to the whirlwind world of B2B and SaaS product communication, where ancient drama meets modern storytelling flair, and the journey is just as important as the destination. Strap in as we navigate the twists and turns of product messaging, armed with the divine intervention of Dozef Maxima and the whimsical wisdom of Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. Hold onto your hats, folks — it’s about to get dramatic.

Admiration Through Effort

Picture this: your audience is rooting for the underdog, cheering for the scrappy startup that defies the odds. Take a cue from Slack’s playbook — despite early skepticism, they persevered, winning users over with relentless improvement. It’s not just about the successes; it’s about the journey, folks.

Audience-Centric Focus

HubSpot gets it. They know their audience craves value, not just shameless self-promotion. So, they dish out educational content like it’s going out of style, earning the trust and loyalty of marketers everywhere. Meanwhile, Oracle’s “Unbreakable” campaign? Let’s just say it broke a few hearts with its cringe-worthy arrogance.

Thematic Cohesion

Think of your product narrative like a well-crafted symphony — each note harmonizing with the next. Salesforce nailed it with their thematic focus on empowering customer relationships. But IBM’s Watson AI platform? It was like listening to a toddler play the kazoo — a cacophony of confusion.

Narrative Structure

Imagine your product journey as a gripping novel, with each chapter building upon the last. Asana gets it — they guide users through a narrative arc from problem to solution, keeping them hooked till the very end.

Simplicity and Focus

Keep it simple, stupid. That’s the mantra over at Microsoft, where Satya Nadella’s reign has seen a shift towards streamlined products and user interfaces. It’s like decluttering your closet — less is definitely more.

Challenging Characters

Your product is the protagonist, facing off against the trials and tribulations of the marketplace. Zoom stepped up to the plate during the pandemic, tackling the challenge of remote communication with gusto. Take notes, folks — that’s how you ace character development.

Define Your Ending

Know where you’re headed before you start. Tesla’s vision of a sustainable future isn’t just a pipe dream — it’s the guiding light that illuminates every product decision. It’s like driving with GPS — you know where you’re going, even if the road ahead is bumpy.

Embrace Imperfection

Perfection is overrated, folks. Just ask Google — they’re all about releasing minimum viable products and iterating based on feedback. It’s like making pancakes — the first one’s always a little wonky, but you get better with practice.

Creative Constraints

Sometimes, limitations can be liberating. IBM’s design thinking workshops encourage out-of-the-box problem-solving by imposing creative constraints. It’s like trying to build a house of cards — it forces you to think outside the box.

Embrace Inspiration

Find your muse in the stories you admire. Amazon’s obsession with customer satisfaction? It’s straight out of the Jeff Bezos playbook. It’s like having a secret weapon in your arsenal — you know you’re onto something good.

Stay True to Your Character

Just like a well-written protagonist, your product should stay true to its core values. Take Airbnb, for example — they’ve built their brand around the idea of community and connection, and it shines through in everything they do.

Simplify Complexity

In the complex world of B2B and SaaS, simplicity is your best friend. Look at Dropbox — they took the headache out of file storage and sharing with a simple, intuitive solution that anyone could use.

Surprise Your Audience

Ah, the element of surprise. It’s like a plot twist that keeps your audience on the edge of their seats. Slack did it with their revolutionary approach to workplace communication, and the world hasn’t been the same since.

Tap into Emotion

Emotion is the secret sauce of storytelling. Just ask Salesforce — they’ve tapped into the emotional need for connection and belonging, making their CRM software a must-have for businesses everywhere.

Leave Room for Interpretation

Sometimes, less is more. Take Apple — they’ve mastered the art of leaving room for interpretation, allowing their customers to fill in the blanks and make their products their own.

Know When to Break the Rules

Rules are meant to be broken, especially in the fast-paced world of product innovation. Google did it with their unconventional approach to search engine design, and the rest is history.

Know Your Audience

Your audience is your North Star. Look at Mailchimp — they know their audience inside and out, and it shows in their tailored marketing campaigns and product offerings.

Never Underestimate the Power of Visual Storytelling

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in the visual world of B2B and SaaS. Just ask Canva — they’ve democratized design, empowering businesses of all sizes to tell their stories visually.

Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot

Sometimes, you have to change course mid-journey. Take Netflix — they started as a DVD rental service and pivoted to streaming, revolutionizing the entertainment industry in the process.

Stay Authentic

Authenticity is everything in the world of storytelling. Look at Patagonia — they’ve stayed true to their values of sustainability and environmental stewardship, earning the trust and loyalty of customers worldwide.

Collaborate with Others

Two heads are better than one, especially when it comes to storytelling. Just ask Adobe — they’ve built a thriving ecosystem of creative tools and partnerships, empowering creators to bring their visions to life.

Never Stop Learning

Mark Twain allegedly said, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

The journey never ends, folks. Keep honing your craft, experimenting with new ideas, and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. After all, the best stories are the ones that are always evolving.

And there you have it, folks — the remaining 12 rules of Pixar’s storytelling odyssey, each more enlightening than the last. So, go forth and conquer the world of B2B and SaaS product communication with the wisdom of Pixar as your guide. The adventure awaits!

References

  • Coats, Emma. “Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling.” https://x.com/lawnrocket
  • Lasseter, John. “John Lasseter’s 10 Principles of Good Storytelling.” Fast Company, 2011.
  • Smith, Kyle. “The Power of Narrative in B2B Marketing.” Harvard Business Review, 2019.
  • Tuggle, Lindsay. “How Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling Can Improve Your Marketing.” HubSpot Blog, 2020.

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Gedi
Gedi

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