![Manufactured Landscapes [2006]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ySjq%2B65pL._SL75_.jpg)
Visualizing dots...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 7:00AM Never one to be slow off the mark, I thought I would give Jeff Moday's dots a try-out. Last week I asked a group to visually depict the story of their organisation using a variety of visual media before joining together in inquiry conversations. I've edited these images to ensure confidentiality but you will get the idea:
One group curated a collaged image:
This shows the top right hand corner of their collage. The big questions to be raised here were, "So why do we put images of the past at the centre of our organisation?" and "What effect do we think this has and how will we need to change in the next few years...?"
We used Jeff's dots to get an idea of what sort of structure might be appropriate for the future. (Sorry Jeff, I know that I'm s'posed to use grey dots but couldn't find any and the pink ones worked just fine!)
So, what was going on with this dandelion shape?
A strong linkage (stem) to a key partner was essential. The seed heads were new, growing business units which might detach from the centre and, in the context of the blustery economic winds that are blowing through businesses at the moment, a conversation about what would happen if a storm blew was duly noted!
The dots seemed to help; participants learned things about the linkages in their organisation, began to understand more of how they might collaborate and developed a greater sense of belonging.
So, now I'm left wondering if 'pink' makes a difference?
Reader Comments (2)
This is a great use of the dots! Color has actually been a big sticking point with me in my latest dot posts. I am stuck between the colors distinguishing betweendifferent parties, but also not becoming a victim of prejudice.
I like the pink dots! I wonder how it would have changed if the dots were different colors? I imagine the different colors would represent the different industries the new businesses were in or perhaps the specific product or set of products being sold to those businesses.
The one thing that really stands out in the picture above is the amount of white space between all the entities. Was that merely for design or are there some gaps to fill and connections to be made?
Thanks for your comment, Jeff.
When I asked the group to map a future configuration in pink dots I was met with open mouths and stares of incomprehension! I think you could be right about using different colours - and... I wonder if different colours might have encouraged a sense of difference that might not really be there (or be appropriate?). It's all good stuff to prompt the dialogue and exchange.
The space between the entities is, I think, something that the organisation wrestles with - is their future as one or should they split? But interesting that you, as a third party observer, sense that distance....
It's fascinating. There is a good future in dot-ology!