19.Jun.2010 Can you believe what you read? - [ READ MORE ]

I was recently reading an article by Jim Giles, in the New Scientist [May 2010] called “Giving Life to a Lie”. In it he quotes a story written by an Australian Journalist, Piers Akerman for the Daily Telegraph (2006) where Akerman claimed that global warming was exaggerated. Now it was not that fact that caught my attention but rather the reference he attributed to John Houghton, a former chair to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was “unless we announce disasters no one will listen”.

This reference was picked up by a journalist in Canada followed later by an academic in Michigan. Giles goes on the say that today there at least three books, 100 blogs and 24,000 web pages that in some way cite Houghton’s original book published in 1994. The really interesting thing is that Houghton seems never to have uttered those words in his life and they certainly do not appear in that book!!

Perhaps Akerman made a genuine mistake, perhaps he intentionally manufactured the quote … I do not know and do not really care. However, my point is based on the thought that I wonder just how common is changing a lie or a misrepresentation into a “known fact”? How many of the statements which are taken for granted and quoted as “proof”, really have a firm basis?

I know I have jokingly said, when watching a somewhat dubious documentary on TV: “Well it must be true because it is in colour”. A silly statement certainly, but it is really based on the premise that many of us have a tendance to believe a fact if it is printed and from an apparently reputable source. A good example is Wikipedia, which many people use as a first source of reference these days. However, you should remember that this excellent online resource can be edited by just about any Tom, Dick or Harry. Certainly, I do know there are editorial controls, but Wikipedia contents cannot, in reality, be guaranteed as accurate.

The theme of the whole New Scientist issue was “Denial” in various forms. Only thing is clear that often people will simply deny an inconvenient fact (or truth) as a way of refuting a particular point of view rather that offering persuasive counter argument. A perfect example of this was Copernicus’s trial by the Catholic Church when he offered evidence that the earth revolved around the sun. The Church’s response was an absolute denial that this could be possible as it went against current teachings.

The point is that we should be careful when reading or writing blogs for two reasons:
1. Question if an assertion we read or make is founded in fact or just “parroted” because it has become “conventional wisdom”?
2. To avoid or be very wary of flat, unsupported denials as they can be a smokescreen for either a subtext or even pure ignorance

Perhaps an additional guideline would be to reserve comment for times when such comment makes a positive contribution to the discussion.

Some food for thought

As this blog is concerned with visual thinking, information handling and associated topics, here are some point worth considering:

1. Do diagrams aid understanding?
2. Is a picture worth a thousand words?
3. How important is colour and curved lines in left & right cortex linking?
4. Are mind maps the best way to represent the majority of business information?
5. Is Cloud computing the way of the future?
6. You cannot beat face-to-face communication
Can you think of some statements or “facts” which we take for granted?

John England: MindSystems

21.Mar.2010 Is “The Cloud” the way to go? - [ READ MORE ]

However, the issue of real interest to me at moment is the viability of the Cloud in general. Six months ago, I was not impressed and had concerns over the security of the data entrusted to the cloud. Now I think my resistance, and I admit this with some shame as I consider myself something of a “futurist”, was mainly due to the challenges caused by the dramatic change in thinking needed to embrace the Cloud concept. I have reversed my opinion to the extent that our primary product (Mindsystems Amode V2) will certainly be moving in that direction over the next twelve months.

In reality, there are two major forms of data security in this context:

1. Ensuring access to data residing in the Cloud is restricted to those authorised
2. The quality and integrity of data backup couple the disaster recovery capability of the system.

While access is easily managed, backup is not so easy. The fact is that many organisation and even more so individuals approach disaster recovery in a somewhat cavalier manner. Considerations such as:

• Frequency of backup
• The ability to do “bare metal” recovery including recovery to different hardware
• Location of backed-up material
• Time to recovery.

For many individuals and small businesses in particular the answers to those questions is not optimistic. However a Cloud environment hosted by a professional group will overcome these issues.

An increasingly important aspect of this debate is three-fold and focuses on the ability to operate securely away from the home base. Recently, for example, a senior Australian Naval Officer left a classified CD in the Qantas flight lounge. This would not have been possible if the Officer concerned had been using a Cloud environment. Therefore, the mobile advantages are:

1. Data security (in storage and on laptop)
2. Access to all data instantly almost regardless of location
3. Access to the updated information in the home base immediately it has been created.

As I said earlier, I have changed my mind … how about you?

26.Feb.2010 Mindsystems Amode V2 Released! - [ READ MORE ]

Mindsystems Amode V2 is the latest advancement in Information Management. Have you tried it yet?

It unifies 3 core functions into one efficient work space: Linear Data, Visuals & Project Management

Mindsystems Amode is an Information Management tool that can help you manage almost any type of information or project in a more efficient way. It is the only software of its kind to successfully combine all the most commonly used information management functions into one seamlessly integrated application.  
 
It’s everything you need to manage your work:
 
- Information Management, Sorting of Data, Visually Database your Info
- Create Graphics, Visuals & Diagrams to help explain your Information
- Gantt, Project Planning & Resource Management
- Schedule Management with Mobile/Cell Phone and Email Alerts
- Advanced Import / Export & Presentation Modes 

Mindsystems Amode strikes a balance between visual presentation of information and linear practicality. Bridge the gap between the fluid nature of your thoughts, and the linear structure required by the world in which you work.

Mindsystems Amode will help you manage your work day, complete projects sooner and make better decisions by providing you with information clarity.

Learn more by visiting:  http://www.mindsystems.com.au/products/amode/index.php

21.Dec.2009 Inspirational Video - [ READ MORE ]

If you do nothing else for yourself this week, take 20 minutes to watch this video by Dewitt Jones:

Perhaps he does not look too inspirational, but do your self a favour ….

http://uk.video.yahoo.com/watch/1598539/5397639?v=1598539

It is truly inspirational!

04.Aug.2009 Scenario Planning … a must for effective business development - [ READ MORE ]

Strategic planning and risk assessment are arguably two of the most important aspects of business development. The

difficulty with such planning is identifying exactly how the business, social and political environment will change and frequently the assumption is made that there will be no significant change in the next 3 to 5 years, possibly longer. It is at this point that Scenario Planning comes into its own.

Scenario Planning is the technique for developing a range of views concerning different possible futures. The aim is to paint a series of pictures that cover a wide range of possibilities with the view to subsequently modifying strategic planning and risk assessment in a way that covers the maximum range of probability.

Theoretically it is possible for an individual to create scenarios, however to do so would be to lose one of the major advantages of the technique, and that is diversity. In other words, a key parts of scenario planning require group input in order to harvest the greatest spread of views and hence create a range of, sometimes diametrically opposed, scenarios.

It is important to understand that a scenario will is not merely a series of events but rather a story with a definite plot. The “Actors” in the scenarios, just like real people, reach various points where they may make a selection of choices. That, concisely, is the key difference between Scenario Planning and traditional Strategic Planning, which tends to take a single view of the future possibilities even though multiple options may have been considered initially.

There are whole ranges of ways in which Scenarios can be constructed. For example:

• Three scenarios are constructed: first the middle ground and then two more, one 15% “above” and on 15% below. This is perhaps the simplest approach and while acceptable in some circumstances, runs the risk of missing opportunities as the end result is a variation of the start point rather than representing a wide and diverse range of potential options.

 Four widely diverse Scenarios are constructed that are not related to one another as in the previous case. This is much more difficult to construct but has the potential to  provide the most complete picture prior to commencing the main planning excercise.

  Uses for Scenario Planning

It is difficult to think of a planning exercise that would not potentially benefit from this approach. For example:

• Strategic planning and subsequent risk assessment are obvious candidates
• Product development becomes much more focussed when a range of possible market directions is considered
• HR policies require a clear view of the possible growth patterns of the company
• Training and development plans clearly are needed to support the planned innovations

Those few examples are just focussing on a pure business environment, however other broader areas include:

• Educational Planning
• Policy development
• Research and Development Strategies
• Urban Growth
• Climate Change

The list is endless and in a simpler format makes complete sense even for the “Corner Shop”.

Of course there is much more to Scenario Planning than included in this article. I am currently preparing a detailed Amode Solution to Scenario Planning, so if you would like a copy when it is finished please drop me a line at jce@mindsystems.com.au . If you do not have a copy of Amode your can always download a trial!

PS. A great resource for information On Scenario Planning is the JISC Infonet.