|
Do you spend endless hours in meetings? Are you fed up with meetings that are information dumps? Have you noticed that an email or written report could have replaced hours of meetings—just this week? I’d like to share a little known secret that can save you hours in meeting time…and you can start using it today! FACT: According to Stanford Researcher, R. Horn, presentations with visuals were 17% more persuasive and meeting time was reduced by 24%. According to the research of R. Horn, 64% of the participants made immediate decisions when viewing a presentation with visuals. Translate that into your week. If you spend an average of 40 hours in meetings, you could save 10 hours a week! Couldn’t you use 10 more hours a week? Whew. That’s a lot of time you could use to work on your business. So, considering these facts, how about using an overview map in your next meeting? You’ll save time, reduce the stress of presenting ideas, and be more memorable! Whether you are starting a project, making a career move, changing your business or working on a goal—a visual roadmap can slash hours of meeting time—from start to finish. Keep it Simple!You don’t need to have fancy equipment—a piece of paper, a section of butcher paper or an easel chart will do. Use larger sheets of paper so you have room to capture ideas and add in new information. What’s important is that you share your ideas in a way that your coach, and other people can understand.What if You Aren’t An Artist?Don’t worry—you don’t need to get a degree in art to make an overview map. Making a map is something you already do. When you explain directions to your house, I bet you draw a sketch. When you’re organizing a budget, you probably draw a diagram. A map is a quick, portable tool. It’s a fast way to get an overview of any situation. It can help you see where you are going, what to anticipate, and how to get to your destination.Get Essential!Get down to the essence in any words you use on your map. The fewer words you use to capture the idea, the easier it is to remember. I just saw in a local fire department, the phrase, “Stop, Drop and Roll!” This gets to the basics in only four words. Because it’s so essential, it’s easy to remember.Apply that same ruthlessness to the word messages on your map and you’ll save time remembering the key idea. Make Bite Size InformationThe smallest unit of information is a picture and a key word. Forget being an artist. Make bite size “graphic sandwiches” using shapes. Use an arrow to describe direction. Use a square to depict known elements. Use a spiral for ideas. Make your own graphic language icons with shapes and key words.Repeat for Emphasis!Show an icon and word message on your overview map and repeat the graphic sandwich wherever you show more detail. Repeat shapes and key words every time you refer to the subject. This makes it easier to remember key ideas.Repeat shapes. Repeat graphic sandwiches. Repetition saves time and makes it memorable. You don’t need more icons. You need more repetition. People Appreciate A MapYou’ll find that when you use a map to explain what you’re doing, people will appreciate the time and care you take. They’ll notice that your presentation is easy to understand and remember. They’ll remember the value of meeting.
Use a visual map in your next meeting. Use overview maps to save in any type of problem solving and discussion. Use an overview map to sort through options when making a decision. Get in the habit of making a roadmap whenever you are planning, deciding, dreaming and evaluating. |
Search Site:
| Privacy | Press | Monthly Drawing | Contact | Terms of service | © 2005 - 2008 Copyright | Site Map |
