All posts in “Uncategorized”

Decoding complexity

Authored by John Ashton

During a recent assignment I was asked by @TripwireInc to graphically record* two Information Security events over the course of three days (#InfoSec15 and #BSidesLDN2015).

*Graphic recording is the art of capturing the key thoughts, ideas and discussions that happen during meetings and events. This is achieved using hand-drawn images and text created live in real time to produce visual records that act as aide memoirs for participants and a way of understanding what happened for those that were unable to attend. Continue Reading…

Are you a visual thinker?

It's not just left-brain / right-brain, it's whole brain engagement.

It’s not just left-brain / right-brain, it’s whole brain engagement.

Visual thinking strategies are being used more broadly in education, particularly in the lower grades where how one thinks matures and becomes a pattern for later in life. This work is imbedding in schools, museums and support facilities for young people with disabilities, particularly autism and related conditions. Continue Reading…

The most important tool

We’re asked all the time what the most important tool is for graphic recording. The questioners are usually thinking along the lines of types and sizes of paper, most useful markers and writing implements, portable walls, tape, best tablets for recording virtually and those types of tools. While these are important and, indeed, critical to success it is more important that you bring your brain. Continue Reading…

Is creativity in meetings a waste of time?

We support all types of creativity in meetings.

We support all types of creativity in meetings.

There seems to be an increasing desire to include creative ways of interacting within meetings. There is positive thinking on this and there are those who feel that adding creativity into meetings is a distraction and unhelpful. Continue Reading…

We understand what we are looking at most easily by comparing it to what we are most familiar with.

Cognitive Theory #

Thinking about listening in new ways.

MM Process-Middle Post It-7-10-14

For the new year it is valuable to take some time to think a little differently. We find that looking at how meetings happen is useful and supportive of our graphic recording and visual work.

When thinking about meeting this year we will be concentrating on what we call the 5C’s: connecting, collaborating, conversations, co-creating and culture. By thinking about these from the graphic recording perspective we find that we support our meeting facilitators and meeting sponsors so they get a depth of experience from us.

Visual thinking and recording those thoughts can support each of the 5C’s in capturing how they appear or exhibit themselves in your meetings, or in your organisation’s culture. We’ll be exploring these in more detail as the year progresses. Let us know how we can help you explore your 5C’s.

London meeting venue.

From time to time we are introduced to interesting meeting venues that are not in the usual lists of places to meet but add a level of interest and locale that can support a meeting or create a new dimension.

The Museum of Brands is one of those London venues that is interesting, quirky, informative and stimulating. Located in the Nottinghill area and off the beaten track, near Portobello Road, it offers one meeting room and the use of their cafe for meals. It is for small to almost medium sized meetings. The staff and customer service are great.

Give them a look and tell them we sent you. I could spend hours in the museum itself but also find the space inviting and supportive. They are fully understanding of graphic recording and what our recorders need. Bring us along and you’ll have a great meeting.

Perception is not just the result of visual stimuli, but involves a series of mental processes in which we compare what we see to our catalog of memories and perceptions and use those to interpret and analyze.

Cognitive Theory #

Does your global work feel connected?

Graphic Recording illustration detail

Distributed teams can work differently to achieve global goals.

Working globally is a huge challenge. There are issues of how leadership engages global workforces, teams and work groups. It is easy to default to focusing on the local and not connect fully to the global, even when you use virtual technology for your meetings. How do you make these meeting participants feel, and indeed BE, connected.

First, remember your goals and desired outcomes. What do you want or need to achieve? Why do you need to have this virtual meeting in order to meet those outcomes? Are there other ways of working?

Second, treat your virtual meetings with the respect they need in order to achieve your outcomes. Think about how to create the meeting so all participants are engaged, connected, participating fully, and acting on their agreements, even if the leader isn’t in their local office. Continue Reading…