Visual Business Analysis

During the strategy-making process a lot of different views must come together. The success of the strategy depends upon it. As every department has its own language, interests and point of view, a common language is needed. That common language is Visual business analysis.

All we ever look for is the Rosetta Stone in communication. And visualisation might just be it. People from different backgrounds can understand each other more easily. They can clarify their point of view in better ways. And furthermore scenarios and their impact can be discussed more quickly.

The illustrations are part of the process: they are developed by the business analysts, they are input for the strategy workshops and they change with every decision made or new information surfacing.

Clients: ElaadNL, Rabobank, Essent, ABN Amro

My role: Strategist, ad interim

My Activities: Business & Communication Strategy,  Workshops, Coaching & Training, Corporate Blogging, Illustration, Social Media Plan

My Partners:  Hannah Jansen Morrison

Results: More effective strategy: well understood, better executed.

Visualisation: a management tool

Workshops and decisions supported by analysed based visualisation.

Analysis

The analysis covers the broad spectrum from customers & market to the organisation & business value. It focuses on discovering connections and conditions. Because any decision needs to be weighed against its impact on a variety of aspects. The analysis covers: customers, the market, technology, the regulatory domain and the business (value proposition, margin, organisation, processes).   

The analysis is done by analysts and independent “business journalists”: inquisitive and uncovering the mechanisms underneath.

Strategy workshops

As part of the input for the workshops, the illustrations serve to facilitate the thinking and decision making process. As such the illustrations change during that process.

Visuals offer people from a different background a new and better way to discuss the matter at hand. But above all: it makes it easier to discuss the wider implications of possible scenarios on a set of levels.

For this reason an overall “poster” is made of the landscape. Printed as a large poster it helps people quickly point out elements that need further contemplation.

In operation

When the strategy is being executed, the visualisations serve as a very powerful communication tool. For the internal staff, the illustrations are a much easier way to understand the strategy. It is also a point of reference to get the role of the activities in the “bigger picture”.

The visual representation of the business landscape are used in meetings with B2B partners. To discuss new projects or technologies, the changing dynamics in the field or customer behaviour.

Keywords

#Strategy #Process #Business #Analysis #Visualisation #Illustration #Communication

Visual Business Analysis is applicable for

Strategy: developing new products & services, new approaches.

Positioning & Identity.

Communication & Social Strategy

The results

• Complex information made accessible
• Better understanding for all parties to make the strategy
• A more diverse investigation of scenarios
• More effective strategy: well understood, better executed.

“First the business analysis was done. Then it was visualised. This provided our team with a common language that everyone could understand: from the technical staff to legal, board and operations. It helped us communicate with each other more effectively while making our future plans.

We now use the visualised business analysis in our meetings and work with third parties, among others: manufacturers of charge infrastructure, automotive and scientific institutions. And again we see the benefits. Complex information made accessible and appealing.: it increases the understanding and engagement of all parties at the table.”

Arjan Wargers, head of R&D, ElaadNL

“The visual business analysis uncovered all new connections that we were aware of, but took too much for granted. We were offered a fresh presentation of the landscape before us. And in that  new light we were able to connect the dots in a much more efficient way. But above all that, we could communicate it a lot better with the board of directors and our fellow departments within Stedin.”

Marko Kruithof, manager Stedin

Because I believe in the creative powers of everyone.