If you can imagine Superman flying high above the planet every morning, deciding on where most urgently needs his help, it is easy then to realise that sometimes taking a step back helps us see where the real problem lies. We gain perspective so to speak. Thankfully we don’t have to wear tights and red pants in business, but ‘zooming out’ is something that can really help businesses see the bigger picture. In our case this is literal as our Rich Pictures serve to help people see where they can make changes, solve problems and increase efficiency.
First pioneered in the 1990’s Rich Pictures are a recognised format used to engage business employees in constructive conversation. They do this by way of creating a meaningful narrative which can be used as a springboard for ideas and insights – it should be noted that leading economists view this as a crucial factor to a business’ success – being able to adapt and see the bigger picture.
What are Rich Pictures exactly?
Put simply Rich Pictures are detailed visual illustrations of sometimes complex situations or business constructs. They serve to help people understand quickly and fully what is being communicated verbally or via text. They aim to aid people in organising their thoughts, re-organising a complicated system, or identifying a specific problem. Using a combination of text, illustrations and symbols to visualise a particular situation, Rich Pictures have an excellent record. In one example Du Pont reported that after a session with Rich Pictures 95% of employees at a particular company said that they understood the company strategy better.
How can a Rich Picture benefit your business?
Rich pictures are excellent at engaging people from different levels/parts of an organisation by bringing them together on a level playing field. The MacLeod report emphasises the direct correlation between improving engagement (and thus understanding) and improving performance. “If it is how the workforce performs that determines to a large extent whether companies or organisations succeed, then whether or not the workforce is positively encouraged to perform at its best should be a prime consideration for every leader and manager, and be placed at the heart of business strategy.” David MacLeod and Nita Clarke
- Rich Pictures increase employees’ understanding of the business – they help people comprehend and importantly remember shared content
- Rich Pictures do this by creating collective experiences
- Rich pictures facilitate conversations between different sectors of the company which ultimately leads to a broad and shared understanding of a situation.
Why do Rich Pictures work?
Ultimately Rich Pictures are not about the pictures themselves but the conversations that result from them, whether these result in a better understanding of something or just better relationships between business members. The best type of resulting conversation is free from jargon and memorable. Importantly these conversations are also open to all members of the team – the art of illustration aids in establishing an atmosphere of equality amongst all involved in the collaborative process.
Rich Picture A Combination of Images and Words
For millennia humans communicated solely via images and actions. Nowadays however, without words the message carried by a visual element may be ambiguous, but without images ideas and messages can be lost in a sea of words. Appropriate images and appropriate wording are therefore the best and most powerful medium for communication. The pictures are processed faster than the words and provide a mental ‘hook’ upon which the data can be hung for later recall. At Visual Scribing.com we are experts in creating Rich Pictures and understanding brand personalities – whether it be the use of a unique colour palette, a brand tone of voice, or a visual language. We develop bespoke solutions and tailored visuals to consolidate a unique communication experience which will help you and your business. Your Rich Pictures are guaranteed to empower your strategy which will enable your company to display its super powers. A bit like Superman.
