Crackerjack Visual Thinking

Category: Communication

  • Let Crackerjack create a engaging visual record of your next meeting or event…

    CIPD Centenary Event 1.1

    Graphic recording is the live real-time creation of a large visual record of a meeting or event (such as the graphic recording created by Crackerjack at the CIPD Annual 2013 Meeting shown above).

    The power of graphic recording is in the fact the brain recalls information more effectively when stimulated with a visual image than simply words or lists. Graphic recording acts as aide memoir for those who attended the event and a guide to the meeting for those that weren’t there.

    To find out more and arrange for Crackerjack to graphic record at your next meeting or event, please call John Ashton on 0775 282 6227 or contact us here.

  • Can you sketch your organisations business model in 5 minutes? #businessmodel #businessmodelcanvas

    Here’s a visual thinking approach to checking the logic and clarity of your organisations business model:

    1. Print off a copy (as big as possible) of @AlexOsterwalders Business Model Canvas from the Business Model Generation website. This will give you a great framework in which to visualise your thinking about your business model.

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    2. Use minimal words and lots of pictures to complete the canvas in a maximum of 5 minutes.

    3. Now ask yourself the following questions:

    • Did I manage to draw my business model in 5 minutes?
      • If not, why not? Is it too complex and/or does your business model lack clarity?
    • Now I’ve drawn my business model, can I see anything I’d like to change about it?
      • Could anything be done more efficiently?
      • Could anything be done by a third party more effectively?
      • Are there any opportunities I’m missing with my current business model?
    • Would other people be able to understand my business model using only this sketch?
      • If not, why not? Is it too complex and/or does your business model lack clarity?

    Visit www.crackerjackvisualthinking.com and www.crackerjackbizstartup.com to learn more about how visual thinking can be used to help you think differently about your business.

  • Open an ‘art gallery’ to drive #innovation in your organisation!

    If you’re looking for an effective way to increase innovation, creativity and communication in your organisation, here’s a plan:

    1. Buy enough coloured marker pens and large sheets of paper for everyone in your business!
    2. Give them the confidence and skills (via appropriate visual thinking training) to be able to sketch/scribble/draw their thoughts, ideas and moments of genius.
    3. Encourage them to share their sketches with others in the business.
    4. Encourage people to (constructively!) add to, amend, change and develop each other’s sketches.
    5. Set up an ‘art gallery’ (real or virtual) and display everyone’s sketches and masterpieces.
    6. Arrange for everyone to visit the gallery and ask everyone to show which sketches they would buy (i.e. which thoughts/ideas they think have most potential to move the organisation forward) by either ticking the sketch or sticking a post-it to it.
    7. Identify the top three most popular sketches/ideas in your art gallery.
    8. TAKE ACTION! Try and implement the top three idea/s in your organisation! After all, a good idea that isn’t actioned remains just an idea!

    Visit www.crackerjackvisualthinking.com to learn more about how visual thinking can be used to drive innovation and creativity in your organisation.

  • For the latest news and ideas on #visualthinking read the new ‘Crackerjack Visual Thinking Daily’

    For ideas and inspiration about all things Visual Thinking, subscribe to the new free Crackerjack Visual Thinking Daily.

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    To receive a daily alert when the Crackerjack Visual Thinking Daily is published, and for other updates from Crackerjack, follow us on Twitter at @JohnAshtonCPD.

  • A pen and paper – one of the most powerful business and thinking tools available… #visualthinking

    Crackerjack Visual Thinking believes that the combination of a pen and a piece of paper is one of the most powerful business and thinking tools available.

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    The visual thinking approach is fundamentally based on using these simple tools (or their iPad style equivalents!) to create visual images that communicate ideas, facilitate discussion, engage thinking and provide a catalyst for co-creation between people.

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    The visual thinking approach enables organisations to experience increased creativity and innovation – ultimately leading to growth and success.

    To find out more about visual thinking please visit www.crackerjackvisualthinking.com or call John Ashton on +44 (0) 775 282 6227.

  • Graphic recording from AndPartnership’s 10 Year Anniversary Event #communication #graphic recording #andpartnership

    AndPartnership 10th Anniversary Scan Small Click on the image above to see the graphic recording I created live during the AndPartnership’s 10 Year Anniversary Event in London.

    AndPartnership is an organisation development consultancy, specialising in the human side of change. They pride ourselves in creating customised solutions to organisational change issues, whilst building valued relationships with our clients. You can find out more about AndPartnership by visiting www.andpartnership.com

    To find out more about Crackerjack Visual Thinking and graphic recording, please visit www.crackerjackvisualthinking.com

  • How a drawing can help increase your profits #visualthinking #roi #bizitalk

    Click on the sketch below to see how helping you develop and sketch out your big ideas can enable your team members to work more effectively and generate increased profits for your business.

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    To find out more about how Crackerjack can help you visualise your next idea, please contact us on +44 (0)775 282 6227 or visit www.crackerjackvisualthinking.com

  • A unique graphic record of the CIPD Midlands Centenary Celebration!!! #CIPD100

    Crackerjack Visual Thinking was pleased to be able to provide the Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD) with a graphic recording of their Centenary Celebration event that took place just outside Leicester on the 14th September 2013.

    Here’s the graphic that was produced live during the event (on a wall with a bend in it!):

    CIPD Centenary Event 1.1 small

    Great feedback was received from delegates and the event organisers which was great to hear!

    To find out more please contact John Ashton on +44 (0)775 282 6227 or visit our website by clicking here.

  • HOW GRAPHIC RECORDING HELPED SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY (IN THEIR OWN WORDS)…

    Here’s one of the latest pieces of feedback we’ve received about our graphic recording work from Charli Buxton (Executive Assistant to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Sheffield Hallam University):

    “John attended our All Staff conference which focused on our new University strategy. It was important to us that we had visual record of the day as it panned out and of the initial feedback which the strategy received.

    John attended workshops and plenary sessions, he visited stands and stalls in our Market Place, constantly picking up themes and information to include in the final visual. John worked on the visual throughout the day in the main entrance to the University where people passing by were able to see his work in progress.

    By the end of the day we had a fantastic visual record of the day, brilliantly incorporating the feel of the conference, the architecture of the university and, most importantly, the engagement with and initial feedback from staff to the strategy.

    We now have the original visual and an electronic version which we will display around the University for those people who were unable to attend on the day.”

    All Staff Conference High Res Scan Small