Slagsmålsklubben – Sponsored by destiny from Tomas Nilsson on Vimeo.

Here’s an excellent example of how to use visual thinking to communicate information to your audience.  Given the flood of information we receive each day – your ability to rise above the noise and effectively communicate information just may make the difference between success and failure.  The name of the game is how much information can you effectively communicate to your audience in 2 minutes or less.  The saying is a pictures is worth a thousand words – well how much are hundreds of pictures worth?

This example comes to you from  Flowing Data by way of Cameron Herold - Back Pocket COO.  Thanks Cameron for the link.

I was first exposed to the concept of “core values” when I attended The Birthing of Giants program hosted by the MIT Enterprise Forum.  The facilitator, Verne Harnish, was instrumental in my entrepreneurial growth, and is someone I consider to be one of my top 5 influences.  It was Verne who first introduced me to the concept of core values and ideologies — what they mean and why they’re important.   Suffice it to say, I started to drink the Kool Aid by the gallon. 

Over the last eight years, I’ve worked tirelessly to define my own set of core ideologies, and incorporate them into each of my businesses.  Throughout this process, I’ve found it equally difficult to accurately portray a statement of core ideologies, as well as  effectively communicate that to all stakeholders.  If I had to give myself a grade, it would be a solid C+.  This isn’t because I’ve not given it time and energy, but because it’s difficult to find the exact words that tie to the concepts and the ideas that exist in our minds.  I believe this is because our ideologies are closely related to our purpose in life.  Not only is it hard to find the words, there is also the inability, for many of us, to articulate what our purpose is. 

My experience shows that any organization that grows and does not have a clear definition of their core ideology is putting their people and their future at significant risk.  As the organization grows, employee and partners are forced to “translate” the information they have to  make choices and decisions.  Sometimes the choices they make are not well aligned with what’s in the mind of the organization’s CEO.  Anyone who’s grown a business understands this dynamic.  The more you grow, and the faster you grow, the more you rely on your people to make the right choices and decisions – the ones that would be most consistent with your own ideologies.

Today I found the best example of someone who has brought their core ideology to life.  This is a picture of the core ideologies GotVMail.  David Hauser and his team have been able to bring to life – through a picture – the essence of their ideology.  I can only imagine the impact this will have over time.  If they’re able to effectively communicate this picture to as many people as possible, their success will be unlimited.  I am going to do the same for my new business because a picture is worth a thousand words.  Thank you for the inspiration, David!

WARNING -- THIS EDITORIAL CONTAINS LANGUAGE WHICH MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN. 

VIEWER DISCRESSION IS RECOMENDED!

This morning I sat down to write about Demetri Martin.  He combines two things I’m passionate about: Visual Thinking and Humor.  Visual Thinking, because it’s easier to communicate information visually, and Humor, because it’s a universal remedy for crappy moods.  Combining Visual Thinking with Humor is, in Demetri Martin’s own words, “Crazy Awesome.” 

So, I settled into my favorite chair with a cup of coffee in hand and began to search for my favorite Demetri video on YouTube.  If I’ve watched it once, I’ve watched a hundred of times.  My kids have memorized all the jokes.  Hmm…I can’t seem to find the video.  I search my usual key words  “Flip Chart Comedian” (a.k.a. Demetri Martin).   Nothing.   What the %$^&?  I watched the video on YouTube just a few weeks ago.  Where did it go?  After 30 minutes of searching without success, I get this message on YouTube:   This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Viacom International Inc.

Where do I start?  I mean - I’m excited and happy for Demetri, as I’m only guessing that he has worked his ass off touring the country, sharing his “Crazy Awesome” gift with audiences who are looking to laugh.  His videos were all over YouTube.  They made people happy.  Getting his own TV show is a great accomplishment.   Note:  This is the spot were I was going to paste the information about the premier of his new show “IMPORTANT THINGS” on Comedy Central but the lawyers at Viacom International won’t let me copy it from his web site.  So I’ve made my own version for your enjoyment.

I’m happy for Demetri, but I have a hard time with “Win-Lose” situations.  A big part of Demetri’s success was, in large part, a result of the viral nature of social networking, as well as YouTube.  People would record his comedy from the television, and then post it on YouTube where millions could watch.  It was YouTube that put him in a leveraging position to sign a contract with Comedy Central for his own TV show (Viacom).  When he signed this contract, he agreed not to let anyone copy the content because it was now the property of Viacom. 

That rubs me the wrong way.  He used the free viral social network to attract his audience, and then he removed a factor that was a big contributing part to his fame.  This is another example of the natural friction that exists between the World Wide Web and the old regime of old-school media giants (e.g. Napster, and the recording studios). 

 The rules are changing.  In the future, success for companies and artists will look different.  This doesn’t mean anyone (Viacom or Demetri Martin) should stop making money for what they do.  Rather, consider changing how you do it so that everyone wins.   I only wish that Demetri would have tried to find a way where he could have his fame and money and not throw his integrity out the window.  But who am I to judge?  All I want to do is share my gift with as many people as I can.  If I’m able to find success along the way, then that’s a bonus.  

In summary, today made me remember three important things:

1. It’s good to laugh.  Laughing makes us feel better.  It helps to drain daily stresses. 
2. All you need to connect with others is a pen, a piece of paper and your imagination -- with that anything is possible.
3. Beware the ”Me Monster.”  

So, instead of the regularly schedule video clip, I now give you Brian Regan (thanks for keeping it real!).

Here are the top reasons why I LOVE visual systems and thinking (in no particular order):

1.  Sometimes it’s easier to show a picture than find the right word.

2.  We process the majority of information through our eyes.

3.  Graphics cross over cultural and language barriers.

4.  Visual thinking uses more of your right brain which has a higher propensity for addressing complexity and ambiguity.

5.  Creativity is a right brain activity.

6.  Using pictures and combining symbols, you can communicate 4x more information. 

7.  People respond better to pictures than to text or data -- why else would facebook have such a focus on photos?

8.  All of our innovations are created in our mind’s eye (hello, visual too).

9.  Using visual thinking you can easily break problems down into the 6 W’s (who/what/how much/where/when/how/and why) by using pictures.

10.  All you need is a pen, paper and your brain to make it work.

If you haven’t read it yet -- go today and pick up The Back of the Napkin.  It’s one of my top 5 books in the past year -- it will change how you communicate.  Dan Roam - if you see this, I want to meet you!  Get it?  See this?  I like funny too.