8/6/2019 The Fable of the Enterprise Elephant and the Social Media Butterfly

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THE FABLE OF THE

ENTERPRISE ELEPHANT AND

THE SOCIAL MEDIA BUTTERFLY

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By Leona Hobbs

Vice President, Social Media Group

Twitter: @flackadelic

leona.hobbs@socialmediagroup.com

socialmediagroup.com & leonahobbs.com

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For many centuries the creatures of the world could count on things staying the same. Seasons came and went. Creatures were born. They grew into maturity. And as their parentsbefore them, had their own offspring, grew old and passed away. Life was predictable

predators threatened the weak and the strong survived.

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This was certainly how theElephant viewed the world. Hesaw many seasons pass. Heled the herd in times of plentyand through times of drought. But the Elephant's world hadchanged. Upstart youngelephants challenged him andhis position in the herd. Try as the Elephant might, he couldnot match their speed. A newleader took his position. Andhe was left behind when theherd moved on.

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The butterfly flew on the wind and saw the beauty of the trees and the flowers. She talked tomany of the creatures she met. She saw a flock of geese flying above her in their v-shaped formation. She stopped to rest on a flower beside a pond teeming with activity. She listened as frogs croaked and watched as a squirrel filled its cheeks with seeds. She saw a school of minnows. And as evening fell over the pond, she watched as a doe and a fawn came to the water's edge to drink.

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One day while out flying the butterfly came upon the Elephant standing alone in a field.Well hello, said the butterfly. How are you this lovely day?The Elephant was surprised to hear the voice of the butterfly.I suppose that I am as well as can be expected, said the Elephant. My herd has moved on and Iam alone. My days are spent grazing and I keep an eye out for predators and hunters.Now, thought the Butterfly, here is a great chance to test some of my ideas about the things

Ive seen in the world. Here is an Elephant who needs my help. Perhaps I could get the elephant tounderstand that there are new ways and opportunities.

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Excited by the chance to do some good for theold Elephant the butterfly decided to talk tohim about all he was missing.

"You should be like the geese who fly longdistances together to follow their food," thebutterfly suggested.

"I have no need to journey to distant lands. Ihave grass for grazing and all that I need here

to sustain me," said the Elephant.

The butterfly thought for a few minutes and fluttered around on the warm breeze. Shelanded on a branch near the elephant andsaid, "You should be like the frogs. Make agreat noise and sing across the pond."

"Hmm, I dont think so, said the Elephant. "Itis not in my nature to croak like frogs atdusk."

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Starting to get a bit frustrated thebutterfly landed on a leaf and tried again with another suggestion for the Elephant,"You should be like the minnows in their schools that swim and play all day long."

"Little butterfly," said the Elephant, I am far too old to pass my time playing allday. I must forage for food and be alert for the lion and the hunter."

The butterfly had one last idea. "Thesquirrel collects food in its cheeks to createstores for later. You should be like thesquirrel and use your trunk to gather foodand store it for later."

My trunk is a useful thing, said theElephant. I do use it to tear up food to eat. Ican reach high up in the trees and use it toshake food loose. I use it to smell friends,enemies and food and my trunk is used for drinking, bathing and swimming.My trunk is simply not built for storing food for later.

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The Butterfly was frustrated that theElephant didnt see the potential in her suggestions. "I give up!" said the

Butterfly. I am trying to help you, andIm disappointed that you have not taken any of my advice. Please tell me, what is it that you want?

"Now that's a good question, said theElephant. I have had a long life and Ihave seen a great many things. I havelearned many lessons yet there is no-one around to hear my story.

The butterfly had an idea. I know a place where animals gather. Not too far

from here is a pond - full of life andcreatures. I'm sure they'd welcome you there as a story-teller."

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The elephant was silent for what seemed to the butterfly as a very long time.Finally the Elephant said, "Ive thoughtabout it and Ive decided to move to the pond. Will you show me they way?" And with that the butterfly was off toguide the way to the pond. And theElephant regaled her with stories of hislifes adventures as they went together.

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So, in the end, the butterfly learned that the elephant was wise as well as strong. And theElephant learned from the Butterfly that there are new ways to solve problems. The moral of thestory is that only by listening first and placing ourselves in the other's shoes can we lead them to change.

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