Use Simple Graphics to Tell Your Story

We have a home in Florida where it is currently 65F and sunny. The home is rented right now to a couple who are lathering themselves in SPF15.

I, on the other hand, am in New Jersey whining. Why?

1. I live in New Jersey.

2. I still have 300 feet to go.

Have a nice day.

 

Comments

[Frode H]

Ha ha! I know this feeling! This is why I live in a house close to the road. But your post is actually great. Telling your story is quite important as a leader. Just this picture gave me a lot of ideas :)

If you share a personal story of your life with the audience you will be more authentic. If you lead a group of none educated persons, and you can stand up and tell them that you as well are non educated, but still you managed to get this far. I bet the audience would be motivated by such a speech.

Storytelling is an art form, listen to some of the most inspiring speeches around, most of them share their background, their vision and future and how they plan to get there.

Storytelling with images might also be a twist. I imagine having a presentation at work, with just images, without saying a word, that would be a cool experiment..

Btw - The snow has melted here in Norway, at least in the southern parts.

[Dan McCarthy]

Steve -
I love it! You just inspired to make last minute changes to a presentation - less words and more pictures.

Oh, and the distance from New Jersey to Florida: too far.

[Joe Raasch]

Hi Steve,

At least you have snow blower! That would be a long path to shovel...

[Steve Roesler]

Frode, Dan and Joe,

Now I'm feeling a bit embarrassed: Norway, Rochester, and Minneapolis.

Either you guys are the most empathetic dudes in the world or I'm now the king of All Things Wussplace.

I'll choose the empathy part. Thanks, guys.

[Stephen Gill]

Check out "pecha-kucha" on YouTube. It's 20 pictures with 20 seconds of talking per picture. I have found this to be a very useful technique for preparing for a longer Webinar. I think it represents a trend (finally!) away from PowerPoint bullets, which is a lousy way to get across a message, and towards simple graphics. Thanks, Steve, for making this point so succinctly.

[Steve Roesler]

Hi, Stephen,

Good recommendation, good technique. Like you, I'm pleased to see that formats such as Pecha Kucha are forcing people to synthesize and really bump up their ability to be both succinct and effective.

[Janet Clarey]

My total snowfall this season = 105". Yes, that's 8 3/4 feet of snow. And no second home in the sun...ugh. I feel your pain times 8. You can always show off your nice windburn.

[Steve Roesler]

Touche, Janet. I knew a tried and true snow soul would appear with statistics that would put us to shame.

I do like the windburn suggestion, though...

[Frode H]

Hi Stephen.
Pecha-kucha is great, I have not steped up to the challenge to create one myself, but I have attended pecha-kucha nights to se other creative people present in this way. Strongly recommended to attend if such appear in your nighbourhood.

[Hayli @ Rise Smart]

I love this Pecha-kucha idea for a presentation! I'd actually pay attention to that! Now, I'm in Tennessee, so to me, Steve is the Mighty Snow Warrior.

Recent blog post: Worst recession ever? Time to grab your harmonica

Recent blog post: Worst recession ever? Time to grab your harmonica

[Steve Roesler]

Frode,

I've watched videos and been fascinated by the concept. Now I'm thinking that perhaps my company should organize and sponsor one; it could be fun, entertaining, and educational.

[Steve Roesler]

Hayli,

The grass is always greener--about halfway up the driveway I was wishing I were in Tennessee.

See my comment to Frode; maybe RiseSmart could organize a Pecha-kucha.

[Robyn McMaster]

Hi Steve, I enjoy all the business tips you provide here at All Things Workplace. So I have named your blog for a Premio Dardos award. The The Premio Dardos is “bestowed for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing.”

[Rob]

Looks like a picture from my formative years in Ohio. I am in Florida now but I use SPF 85 ;) and tell people that I am on the west coast...the other west coast! Is the couple living in your Florida home ready to look for a position elsewhere? You can always suggest they try jobserf.com to search for a position for them and submit an application on their behalf. Who knows...maybe you can get your house back? Since I am working with jobserf.com now, be glad to answer your questions.

[Steve Roesler]

Nice touch, Rob. The renters have just cleared out, headed back to Indiana and probably won't need anything past SPF5.

BTW: Go Buckeyes! Am the only one in this house who is not an Ohio State grad.