Everything is Miscellaneous*

In organisations, large amounts of time can be wasted transferring information between people and functions.  Information is passed sometimes as a tangible object and sometimes as an intangible.  Often not enough thought is given to the difference between the two.

The tangible objects include documents, policies and spreadsheets.  The transit of these tangibles can be observed and measured.  Information in its intangible form include aspects that are harder to observe and measure, such as understanding, commitment and intention. 

You can see if tangible objects go missing or become damaged in transit.  You can tell if they are double-handled or applied incorrectly.  On the other hand detecting the loss, damage, double-handling or misapplication of intangible information is much harder.  You find out when it is too late, such as following a mistake.

For thousands of years, accountants have been aware of the problem and have applied techniques such as double-entry book-keeping and balancing to uncover damage to information in transit.  Other actors have had less time to become aware of, and deal with, the problem.  Often they are unable to perceive the problem for what it is and conclude the problem with the phrase: "we need to communicate better."  It doesn't explain how or when we will communicate better, or it may impose a high cost in terms of time or effort to do so.  The phrase is inconclusive because it does not address the source of the problem.

One source of the problem is that many of the tools we use were developed for a world of physical objects.  Many of these tools are less appropriate for our times, but many people have not grasped it.  In this entertaining Google "Tech Talk", David Weinberger explains how outdated methods impose severe limitations on thought, ideas and information:

Many individuals and organisations would benefit by increasing employee awareness of the problem and by providing training in and applying updated techniques.

*My blog post heading taken from the book "Everything is Miscellaneous: The Power of the New Digital Disorder" by David Weinberger.  An interesting and rewarding book.

Making an effective presentation

The next time you are considering using PowerPoint for your presentation ask yourself whether the slides add to, or detract from, the message.  Here's a demo:

Listen to The Gettysburg Address (read by Gregory Peck):

Click here for the slides and ask: "do these slides improve the message?"

Point made. Be brave. Don't rely on slides if you want to present a compelling message.

[Gettysburg Address slides created by Peter Norvig]