Visual Communication Aids

Ugly drawings beat perfect slides. I had a conversation with Alexander Osterwalder last year — the creator of the Business Model Canvas. We've been talking about visual thinking for thirteen years now. And one thing keeps coming back. We use graphs for data without thinking twice. Nobody describes a revenue trend in a paragraph. You show a chart. Obvious. But when it comes to strategy, business models, culture — we just talk. Long meetings. Bullet points. Talking heads. And then we wonder why nobody's aligned afterwards. Here's what shifts everything: put an artifact in the center of the conversation. A sketch. A canvas. Sticky notes on a whiteboard. Anything visual, anything tangible. The moment people look at an object together instead of at each other, the conversation changes. It stops being "I disagree with you" and becomes "I see this connection differently — why?" That's not a small difference. That's a fundamentally different kind of meeting. Alex told me something I keep thinking about. When he draws in boardrooms instead of using polished slides, people give more honest feedback. Because a rough sketch feels unfinished — and unfinished invites participation. A perfect slide deck invites nodding. The other thing his team does: they banned information sharing in synchronous meetings. If it can be a video, it's a video. The meeting itself is for working together — discussing, iterating, giving feedback around a visual artifact. Forty people participating instead of four people talking. You don't need fancy tools for this. A whiteboard on a Zoom call. A Keynote slide with sticky notes. Even the whiteboard built into Zoom. What you need is the reflex to say "let me draw this" instead of "let me explain." The more abstract the topic, the more you need visuals. Because abstract topics have too many moving parts for memory alone. We think we're aligned. We're not. We just forgot where we disagreed. There is no such thing as overcommunication. And visuals make it easier to go back to what matters — again and again. What's one visual tool or technique that changed how you run meetings? I wrote a longer piece on this — link in the comments. #visualthinking #communication #clarity #businessmodelcanvas #leadership #meetings

Changing Minds Through Inclusion" When a tech company leader launched a disability-focused Employee Resource Group, he expected small improvements. What he got was a culture shift. Through human-centered design workshops and honest conversations, the team uncovered everyday barriers — and dismantled them. They learned that assistive tech isn't a crutch — it's a catalyst. Flexible policies, inclusive hiring, and accessible tools didn’t just support disabled employees; they benefited everyone. We don’t need to “fix” people. We need to fix environments. I’ve spent years watching talented people get overlooked—not because they lacked skill, but because the workplace was built for only one kind of mind and one kind of body. That’s why I created this detailed infographic on assistive tech and accommodations for disabled workers. It’s practical, visual, and made to help you actually do something—not just talk about inclusion. It covers tools like: Screen readers and Braille displays for blind employees Speech-to-text software for those who can speak but not type Noise-canceling headphones and quiet rooms for sensory sensitivity Accessible docs that help everyone focus better These aren’t expensive moonshot ideas. Most are already built into your software—or easy to implement with a bit of planning and a better question: What do you need to do your best work? Use this infographic to: Audit your current setup Support new hires without delay Train managers to notice access gaps before they become barriers Accommodations aren’t charity. They’re engineering. Let’s design workplaces that work for everyone. Drop a comment with your favorite tool—or one you wish more people knew about. #NeurodiversityAtWork #BuiltForInclusion Neurodiversity Foundation Kyrstyn Carcich Prosci Earth2Mars Image Description: A colorful infographic displaying various categories of assistive technology, including icons and labels for mobility aids (like wheelchairs and walkers), communication devices (such as speech-generating tools), vision aids (like screen readers and magnifiers), hearing devices (like hearing aids), and cognitive support tools (such as apps for focus and memory). Each category is color-coded, with simple visuals and brief descriptions to make the information easy to understand at a glance.

Visuals are an underutilized method for communicating information. It's a powerful way to enable easier and faster understanding. While many are embracing this enabler and I've noticed a far stronger use of visuals compared with 20 years ago, the collective "we" have a long way to go. For example, many improvement professionals and leaders I talk with only think of huddle boards when I mention "visual workplace." Huddle boards are only one example of how visuals can accelerate the uptake of information and make it less likely that important information is unknown and/or ignored. Visuals need to also be in heavy use to convey how work should be done, where customers should go, and what's a "good" vs. "bad" result. This latter need applies both to the quality of output before work is passed on and in communication with customers. In our Key Performance Indicators course, for example, we show the difference between data displayed in a table vs. a chart. The brain can grasp the meaning of data FAR faster when in a visual format (e.g., line/run charts, bar charts, scatter plots, pie charts, etc). As a former clinical lab scientist, I love seeing how visuals are now being incorporated into reporting lab results to patients. More progressive labs now incorporate visuals. Test results used to be reported in two columns: your number and the "normal range." Consider the difference between that form of communication and the picture below. My brain had to do far less work to understand the current state. Up and down arrows and color-coded text were good first steps in incorporating visuals into reporting lab results. Displaying results on a color-coded scale is even better. Kaizen in action. Visuals provide context, an element that deepens understanding of all types of information. How far off are we? Are we getting better or worse? Think about the work you do and the information that gets communicated internally and to external parties (customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies, etc.) Where can you be kind to the information recipient and provide an easier way for them to understand what you're conveying? Where can you clarify information with visuals to reduce misunderstanding, which reduces delivering poorer quality work and making poorer decisions? There are safety implications as well. As Elisabeth Swan shares in our Creating a Visual Workplace course, visuals clarify. Get on the visual bandwagon today! More about data and visuals tomorrow.

Visual Management in Lean Visual Management is a Lean principle where information is communicated in a way that can be seen and understood instantly, without needing lengthy explanation. The purpose is to make the status of a process, system, or situation immediately obvious, whether it is normal or abnormal. It ensures that: Anyone can “see the truth” at a glance. Problems are visible in real time. Corrective action can be taken quickly. Three Forms of Communication in Visual Management: Informative Communication: Displays key information to guide behavior or decisions. Example: Labels, color codes, process maps, schedules. Instructional Communication:Provides specific guidance on how to act or what to do. Example: Standard work charts, arrows showing direction of flow, assembly instructions. Signaling Communication: Draws attention to abnormalities or urgent needs. Example: Andon lights, alarms, kanban cards, error flags. Visual Management for a Drinks Server A drinks server in a busy restaurant or bar can use visual cues to remember and manage multiple drink orders efficiently without writing everything down. Here’s how: Glass Shape (Informative): Different glass types immediately identify the drink category: pint glass for beer, wine glass for red/white, highball for cocktails. At a glance, the server knows what’s what. Color of Liquid (Instructional): The color helps distinguish between drinks within the same category: Amber = IPA Pale yellow = Lager Deep red = Red wine Clear with lime = Gin & tonic This acts as an instruction to confirm correct pour or serving. Garnish or Add-ons (Signaling): A lime wedge, salt rim, umbrella, or cherry signals specific customer preferences. If a garnish is missing, it visually “signals” that the drink is incomplete. How This Mirrors Lean Visual Management Normal vs. Abnormal: If a red wine is served in a pint glass, it’s immediately visible that something is wrong. Error Proofing (Poka-Yoke): Glassware and garnishes reduce the chance of mixing up orders. Faster Flow: Drinks can be sorted and delivered without rechecking written tickets constantly. Summary: Visual Management uses informative, instructional and signaling communication to make the state of work visible. For a drinks server, leveraging glass shape, liquid color and garnishes provides a real time visual system for remembering, checking and correctly serving drink orders, just like Lean tools make process status visible on the shop floor.

7 visuals any intelligence analyst can use to communicate assessments more effectively. Effective communication is as essential a skill for intelligence practitioners as collection or analysis. Without sound written, verbal, or visual communication to the decision-maker, all the time and effort invested into intelligence work is wasted. Where pictures express a thousand words, visual communication is an extremely powerful method to convey facts, logic, and judgements. The first rule is that any image is more appealing to the prospective audience than a wall of text. However, graphic design is not known as a strong point for most analysts. Here are 7 simple visuals any analyst can use: 1. Maps 2. Timelines 3. Process diagrams 4. Impact/risk/threat prioritisation (traffic lights) 5. Graphs 6. Network diagrams 7. Dashboards Some have bespoke software to aid production, but they can also be done – often quicker – with a basic understanding of powerpoint, word, and the screen snipping tool. Regardless of type, general rules for visual communication are: 1. The visual supports the message. Have a clear understanding of the key message before starting. Write out the message first, then produce the visual. 2. Basics still apply. Ensure the visual identifies the bottom line up front and clearly distinguishes between facts and assessment. 3. Keep it simple, less is more. Visuals are not an opportunity to cut and paste a written report into a powerpoint slide. Let the visuals stand in for words. 4. Measure once, cut twice. If you used a sketch or visual to help integrate or interpret the problem during analysis, that is a good indicator it will also help the decision maker to understand it. With a few tweaks and polish, you can reuse your rough drawings and save time in production. 5. Templates save time. For dashboards, maps, or storyboards, using the same format saves time. Once you find a format that works, reuse it. 6. Use visual shortcuts. There are many social and cultural visual cues you can use to aid communication. Traffic lights indicate relative threat or priority (green, orange, red). Icons like the red cross or crescent for medical, anchors for ships, lightning bolts for power. Ensure they fit the culture you're presenting to. 7. Learn some basic design hierarchy – scale, spacing, colour, positioning, and typography help prioritise information and guide the customer. This knowledge will elevate your skills well above the average analyst. Finally, iterate and innovate. The first attempt will be far from perfect, but practice will develop your technical ability and direct and indirect customer feedback will refine and home in on the best way to deliver the key message. Incorporating visual communication elevates good intelligence work into something that gets seen by decision-makers. #intelligenceanalysis #intelligencetraining #intelligenceleadership

A graphic design degree costs £40k and takes 3 years. But you? You're about to get the essentials in under 3 minutes. Because EVERYONE should know how to use design to make their expertise irresistible — whether you're presenting, pitching, or promoting. 👇 But first. The BIG misconception: Most people think visual communication = pictures. Wrong. It’s strategy. It’s how you use: - Layout + structure - Fonts + spacing - Visuals + white space - Content flow 💡 Why it matters: Dual Coding Theory. Allan Paivio (visual communication researcher extraordinaire) says we process info through two systems: both verbal (words) + non-verbal (visuals). We need to use them together for boosting understanding, engagement AND memory. Here’s how to do it like a pro 👇 --- 1️⃣ Visual Hierarchy Everything else serves this one goal: Make sure your audience sees the *right info* in the *right order*. Tips: - Bigger = more important - Closer = related - Structure = use titles, subheads, body - Use white space to reduce cognitive overload - Guide the eye like a story --- 2️⃣ Colour Keep it simple: 🎨 Pick 3: light background, dark text, bright accent ⚖️ Check contrast (aim for 8+): use Adobe Colour Checked to help (https://lnkd.in/eavEBGwD) 🔁 Use consistently Try: Coolors (https://coolors.co) for instant, accessible palettes. --- 3️⃣ Fonts ✔️ Use clean sans serifs (Helvetica, Inter, etc.) OR what is most accessible for your audience. This will be different for neurodivergent people or those with visual impairments. ✔️ Pick one with multiple weights (bold, medium, light). ✔️ Apply consistently for hierarchy Here’s a great resource to help: https://lnkd.in/eJA8NheT --- 4️⃣ Imagery Use visuals *with purpose*. 📸 Every image should enhance understanding, not just decorate 🎨 Stay consistent in style 📋 Attribute if using stock or AI imagery --- That’s your crash course in visual communication. Credibility. Clarity. Clout — without the £40k price tag. What would *you* add to the list? Liked this and want more? Follow me for tips on how to use visual storytelling to collaborate, communicate and change-make 👏

Sharing my superpower in almost EVERY role -- from entrepreneur to mom of four... Your ideas are only as powerful as your ability to communicate them... If your slides are dense and your reports are overwhelming, your message is getting lost. Enter one of my favorites--Canva--and no, I'm not an affiliate marketer, I'm just telling you what's worked for me for almost a decade. Canva makes it ridiculously easy. ✅ Launching a new strategy? Design a bold, branded one-pager to rally your team. ✅ Presenting financial results? Create digestible, visually striking charts instead of a wall of numbers. ✅ Celebrating team wins? Craft an engaging recognition post in minutes. ✅ Rolling out a system change? Develop an easy-to-follow infographic that simplifies the transition. ✅ Pitching an idea to your boss? Use a clean, persuasive presentation to show why your idea deserves attention. ✅ Boosting sales with a competition? Design a visually exciting flyer or social media post to grab your team's attention and drive engagement. ✅ Promoting culture with a potluck lunch? Create a fun, inviting graphic that excites employees and encourages participation. 🚀 The Power of Accessibility The magic of Canva is in its simplicity. No design skills? No problem. With drag-and-drop features, customizable templates, and AI-powered tools, you can go from concept to creation in minutes. And it’s not just for static images—Canva enables you to craft: 🎥 Videos & animated presentations 📊 Branded reports & data visualizations 📱 Social media content & ads 📄 Print & digital marketing materials 🎤 The Business Leader’s Secret Weapon It's 2025 and attention is the new currency. Your ability to communicate visually can make or break your message. Canva levels the playing field, empowering leaders across industries to tell stories that inform, inspire, and drive action. So, the next time you need to sell an idea, engage your team, or wow a client, ditch the outdated PowerPoint slides. Open Canva. 🎨✨ 👉 How are you using Canva in your business? Is there another platform you'd recommend? Drop a comment below! 👇 #Leadership #Marketing #BusinessGrowth #Canva #VisualStorytelling

Ask a pedestrian for directions, and you’ll notice they don’t just tell you where to go, they’ll also point the way with their hand. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁? Those gestures aren’t random. They help people see what you mean. And that’s something you should do in your data visuals too. Instead of just showing a line going up or down, use 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝘂𝗲𝘀 (with annotations if needed) to point it out. It might feel like you’re stating the obvious, but you’re actually doing the opposite - you’re guiding your audience’s attention, speeding up their understanding, and making your insight easier to grasp. And no, these directional cues aren’t clutter guys. They’re communication tools that make your visuals more intuitive and aligned with your narrative. So, use them wisely to emphasize certain trends and keep your visuals in sync with your story.