As promised, I am posting the stop motion capture of the "knowledge wall" created over 2 days at the Target event last week. 

Graphic Facilitator (and FABULOUS photographer) Ryan Robinson and I made a powerful graphics team. First, we did our research and came up with plan. I was live graphic recording and listening for key learnings from the presentations and break out sessions. Ryan was behind the scene building a visual story that linked the theme of DNA to a master data management system.

In addition to having amazing scientific facts about DNA, we create the analogy between DNA and a master data system. DNA holds information needed to do amazing things, and the company's data is the information allowing the business to do amazing things. 

The participants loved to see the drawing develop and see their photos and quotes integrated into the wall. Ryan's full time dedication brought additional life and knowledge to the session.

Thanks for the stop motion example Ryan!

P.S. unfortunately Bjork was not able to attend, but Ryan did use a little Sugar Cubes' tune to accompany the video! 

By VANESSA O'CONNELL And JULIE JARGON "Stores Land in Gun-Control Crossfire" Wall Street Journal March 4, 2010

While working in DC yesterday, I read an article with this title in the Wall Street Journal (free at the Ritz Carlton, sorry, no New York Times). I am surprised that a coffee shop has become the battle ground for issues around the 2nd amendment. Regardless of what your stance is on gun control, isn't Starbucks suppose to be a relaxed, friendly and community environment? 

NIKI KITSANTONIS, Greece Approves Plan for New Taxes and Pay Cuts, March 3, 2010

The new measures aim to save $6.54 billion in order to narrow help defuse Greece’s debt crisis.

Liam O'brien was kind enough to create a summary of todays article. Liam is an illustrator and painter who is currently working on publishing a book that he has been working on over the course of ten years. To view his "snow man book" and a sampling of his paintings, click HERE! 

If you have a suggestion for a publishing house who maybe interested in this project, feel free to contact him at sliamobrien@gmail.com

THANK YOU LIAM!!!

Charles Duhigg and Janet Roberts , "Rulings Restrict Clean Water Act, Foiling E.P.A."

While there are many articles we feature on this blog that are frustrating and disturbing, I was especially dismayed to read this one about the court's interpretation of the Clean Water Act. I have lived in several metropolitian cities whose rivers and lakes which were restored by the Clean Water Act. The article states that nearly 1,500 pollution investigations have been tabled due to the interpretation of "navigable" bodies of water excluding small lakes, creeks, and rivers within state lines. I hope this article will raise enough awareness to change this situation and restore the power to a very important bill which exists to protect the health of people and the health of our environment.

Thank you for continuing to check in as we try to keep up. That being said...we are looking for guest bloggers for March. If you have a recommendation, please email Heather@imagethink.net.

click to view larger image

Below is an educational piece that Nora did this week in a session about the power of Google.  Be careful, you might just learn something! Google-i-ious by Jim Spellos

The talk covered the essentials of Google, and focused on the newest (Wave) and coolest (too many to mention) Google applications while discussing how Google can be the ultimate online marketing tool. Search engines such as Google have dozens of advanced capabilities that most people aren’t even aware of. With billions of information-rich Web sites, the task of finding the piece of information you require is becoming even more arduous.

To view all of the graphic summaries from the MPI Meet Different 2010 conference in Cancun, Mexico. click HERE. 

We thought we would shift gears a bit and share some of the information that we are learning while we graphic record at the MPI Meet Different Conference in Cancun.

Yesterday Nora and I scribed a total of 6 different sessions ranging from how to survive as a small business in our turbulent enconomy to planning international meetings. 

One of our favorites was "Using Thought Leadership to Increase Event Success" presented by Rick Erling of The CXO Group in Dallas, TX. Rick outlined ways not only for business planners to succeed but small and large businesses alike. He stressed following four simple guidelines: Increase Client's Revenue, Decrease Client's Cost, Mitigate Risks, and Make Clients Feel Good! Not only did Rick have great content, but he was also a dynamic story teller. 

John Markoff  "Malicious Software Infects Computers" New York Times, February 19, 2010

A malicious program has effected more than 2,500 corporate computers. The orgin of the botnet is said to be from China. The virus takes control of infected computers, cracking passwords, stealing digital files, and sending spam. 

GREG BISHOP  "Wait Ends as Canada Wins Gold at Home" January 14, 2010

Some of you might have noticed the delay on our posts this week.  Heather and I are  both busy on an engagement in Cananda, where Heather is graphic recording.  As you might imagine, the Olympics are front and center. Heather drew this to commemorate Canada's first 2010 gold medal.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Yevgeny Plushenko was untouchable four years ago, but he returned to the Olympics on Tuesday to find something he might not have recognized: competition for the gold medal.

Nora and I are working with a Manufacturing and Packaging company up in Toronto this week. The theme...you guessed it! the Winter Olympics! It has been great seeing all of the Olympic coverage from the Canadian perspective.

I thought I would kill two birds with one stone, create themed visuals for the event time-line with stories taken from the New York Times!