Business Strategy – Making Sense

At Alchemy we focus on simplifying business challenges in order to make them more manageable.  Change we can actually DO something about.  As we discern with our clients and others what matters most to their organization, team or group, pictures and graphics play a significant role in our ability to sort out what is most important.  As this crazy year comes to close, the use of graphics to simplify, explain and catapult has become even more pronounced.  Why?

Pictures can say some much more than words– an image contextulises what is happening to and with us.

We use metaphors and similes when our physical and psychological environments are confusing and overwhelming.  Pictures help gain clarity and they tell the truth as tough as that might be.

Graphics allow stories to emerge.  Stories are the way we make meaning of our lives and visually capturing stories can allow for closure or an “end” to be revealed.

Pictures inspire action.  Once things are visually present, it becomes easier for teams and organizations to sort for importance, urgency and relevance.  It also allows for new ideas to emerge that may help create a path to the future.

But, not everyone is a graphic recorder, right?  Don’t let this stop you!  Here are some simple ways to use pictures to gain insight, clarity and commitment.

• Ask people to bring in a postcard picture that captures how they feel about a certain challenge or position your business/team is facing right now.  Allow them to describe their feeling using the picture
• Put a black piece of construction paper on your door with white post-its nearby.  Invite passerbys to write down their suggestions or ideas for how to get out of the darkness/tunnel.
• Ask members of your team to “draw” the challenge you face and then explain it to one another and the group at an upcoming meeting
• Use iconic images to help move your team or organization from where they are new to where they want to be.  Arrows inspire action, a stop sign –self explanatory, light bulbs for new ideas, and sunshine – hope or the future

 

If you want more ideas or to receive a page of visual icons to use with your business strategy, email us at info@link2alchemy.com