Kevin Duncan - The Diagrams Book

I am delighted Kevin has written this book. I love shapes as a way of expressing thoughts or ideas its the way my brain works. I think visually. Diagrams help to keep my thinking clear and simple, and Im a big believer in keeping things simple.

With standing still no longer an option, were all under pressure to get more done. Yet the world is more complicated and getting things done is more of a challenge. I regularly talk to clients about the how being more of a challenge than the what.

If we want to get more things done we need to simplify, and there lies the value of a good diagram a simple visual representation of a strategy, thought or idea. We should embrace wholeheartedly any tools that help us to get things done, so this book is for anyone who wants to get stuff done.

People only remember 10% of what they read, but 30% of what they see. Shapes have an immediate advantage over words. And yet most businesses tend to focus on the written word. Dont get me wrong I like words as much as the next person, but words can be, and often are, abused. There can be a temptation to write too much and that can make things complicated. Diagrams can be abused too, but not to the same degree. I believe thinking visually helps get to the simplicity of a thought.

Im delighted Kevin has included all my favourite diagrams circles, the classic pyramid, the funnel and the bow tie.

I started off my early marketing career using circles (great for target audiences), and the pie chart continues to be an easy way to understand sales breakdowns quickly. Concentric circles will always be useful, as the world doesnt always fit into neat and separate entities.

The pyramid immediately makes me think of Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. Ive used that many times to explain thoughts and ideas. As part of a team a few years ago, we used Maslows Hierarchy to win a pitch for a big paint manufacturer we explained how women saw colour and home design as a way of self-expression.