Quotes on Measurement

For the last few years I have presented on the importance of measurement when collecting data and visually transforming it into information.  These quotes span many centuries but capture contemporary ideas related to measurement.  Please visit SuperChartsBook.com for more information on Super-Charge Your Charts!  Visually Transform Data Into Information.

Remember to subscribe to the PersonalChange.info blog.  You can also follow me on Twitter (@DouglasGPratt).

Convert PowerPoint to WMV

This video shows you how to convert a PowerPoint (PPT or PPTX) presentation to a Windows Media Video (WMV) file. The animations, transitions, and narration are included in the video file.

Once you have a video you can upload to YouTube, e-mail to others, or keep on your mobile device. 




If you convert a presentation let me know how it turns out.  Remember to subscribe to the PersonalChange.info blog.  You can also follow me on Twitter (@DouglasGPratt).

Make Geographic Data Visual

Displaying data in a table can make it challenging to read.  Even when arranged clearly, a table is best for details while a chart is better to provide the big picture. My tongue-in-cheek recommendation is that you should bury bad news in a table and display good news in a chart!  It is difficult to see trends in a table.

The example below uses a schedule of GOP primaries to demonstrate how powerful of a visual display.  I knew that my state (Tennessee) was one of the later primaries, but could not remember when it was scheduled.  When I came across the primary schedule, I immediately felt that the site needed a visual display of the information.

I used Bing.com I searched "US map" to locate and download a blank map.  I imported the map into Microsoft Paint and used the fill tool to add the appropriate colors to the states.  Finally, I added a legend to help orient viewers to the color scheme.

Blank US Map downloaded from Bing.com

Finished Map

It only takes a little effort to visually transform data into information.

How to Keep Your Resolutions for 2012

About five years ago I found myself in a situation where I organized my day-to-day professional activities with a clipboard-based form, coordinated meetings via Microsoft Outlook’s calendar function, kept personal appointments in a weekly paper calendar, and used a variety of scattered papers as task lists.

As long as I was at my desk, I could quickly identify my availability to meet with others or ensure that when I needed to attend to personal business there were no conflicts.  However, when I was out of the office, I had no way of knowing what was scheduled or even which activities were priorities for the next day or week.

Having four separate systems to keep track of my life was clearly not working!  When I had the opportunity to attend FranklinCovey’s Focus class I seized it.

In the Focus class, which I now teach occasionally, I learned about a strategy of planning that has worked successfully for me since then.  The content of the class is derived largely from First Things First, which is expanded from Habit 3 of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People:  Put First Things First.

TIME MATRIX
The first part of the course reviews four quadrants of priority based on urgency and importance.  This is referred to as the “Time Matrix.”

Quadrant I contains activities that must be done because they are urgent and important (a flat tire must be repaired).

Quadrant III is where you will find activities that are not important but urgent.  These may be phone calls (a ringing phone must be answered) or other interruptions.

Quadrant IV is an area of activities that should be avoided because these are not important and not urgent.  Have you ever played Farmville until 1AM?  This would fit in Quadrant IV.  It is fine to play Farmville or any other diversion, provided that you are not neglecting real chores in order to complete virtual chores.

Quadrant II consists of activities that are important but not urgent.  Spending time on prevention, wellness, planning, and true recreation, which renews body, mind, and spirit, fits here.  Quality time with your family and personal time to exercise or pursue a hobby are important to maintain balance in your life.

PRODUCTIVITY PYRAMID
The second part of the course provides the practical structure to implement the concepts of the Time Matrix.  Based on the idea that you should only engage in activities that help you achieve your long-term plans.  The four elements of the planning process are presented in the form of a pyramid, with each element building on the foundational elements below it.

Identify Values.  The base of the pyramid is “Identify Values.”  What are the values that are important to you?  They may be different that mine, your co-workers, or even family.  Using Benjamin Franklin, as a model, it is suggested that you identify 8-10 values and define what each means for you.

Identify Goals.  Once life-long values have been identified, goals can be determined.  You will continue to set, modify, and evaluate goals continually.

Plan Weekly.  The next step of the pyramid is “Plan Weekly.”  By taking a few minutes at the beginning of each week to layout your integrated schedule of personal and professional commitments, identify the roles that you will have during the week (e.g., parent, teacher, child, supervisor, etc.), and prioritize tasks, you will be more effective.  Planning weekly is probably the most important step in terms of the execution of the Focus/First Things First productivity model.

Plan Daily.  At the top of the pyramid is “Plan Daily.”  At the start of your day, take a few minutes to review your schedule and tasks for the day.

I have found these strategies to be very effective.  Whether you use a paper-based planning system or are fully electronic (something that is now a valid option with smartphones), developing a system is vital to becoming more effective.

If you first identify life-long values, base your goals around those values, and plan your weeks and days accordingly, you will find that you don’t need New Year’s resolutions to propel you forward to success.  Happy New Year!  Don't forget to subscribe to the PersonalChange.info blog.

Screen Capture Links

Capturing all or part of the information displayed on your computer screen is essential for preparing presentations, handouts, and training materials.  It can also be useful as a future reference.  This list of links is taken from my site, www.LaunchIntoSpace.com. 

http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/general/ht/winscreenshot.htm
http://www.pixelmetrics.com/screen-capture/free-screen-capture.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenshot
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windowsvista/Take-a-screen-capture-print-screen
http://jingproject.com (video capture)

Liz Lynch Radio Show

I had the honor this week to be Liz Lynch's guest on her BlogTalkRadio.com show.  You can listen to previous episodes by clicking on the link above.  Liz's main website is http://smartnetworking.com/

Liz and I discussed how to "Storify Your Facts."  During our 30 minutes together I shared how important it is to use stories whenever possible to illustrate the point of your presentation or as a  narrative to keep facts interesting.  Liz is a great interviewer and I enjoyed talking with her.

Below is a list of books that I discussed during the show.

• The Story Factor (Annette Simmons)
• Made to Stick (Chip & Dan Heath)
• The Power of Personal Storytelling (Jack Maguire)
• My Story Can Beat Up Your Story (Jeffrey Alan Schechter)
• The Hero With A Thousand Faces (Joseph Campbell) - On the show I referred to this as The Hero's Journey.  This book is a bit of a challenge to read because it draws heavily on the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud.  A easier-to-read alternative is The Writer's Journey (Christopher Vogler).

Please listen to the recorded show, check out the book listed above, and subscribe to www.PersonalChange.info.  I have also updated the Walmart video I discussed.

Links to Create Word Clouds

A tag cloud, also known as a word cloud, visually depicts the keywords found in a block of text.  Words are displayed by various sizes based on the frequency count of the word.  This visual format is convenient in identifying the most important or most used words in a document or website.

Below are links to six websites that generate tag clouds or word clouds.  Most of these sites provide a variety of options for font, color, and block shape.  To better compare the sites, I have used the Gettysburg Address, written and given by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.  This famous speech is short (10 sentences) and well-written. 

http://www.wordle.net/create

http://tagcrowd.com/

http://www.imagechef.com/ic/word_mosaic/

 

http://worditout.com/word-cloud/make-a-new-one

 

http://www.tagxedo.com/app.html

 

http://www.abcya.com/word_clouds.htm

http://www.66clouds.com/index.html

This last link is not for a site where you can generate clouds, but instead contains word cloud art of each book of the Bible.