I have been interested in visualization techniques, visual facilitation, and visual thinking since 1991 when I read Tony Buzan's book, "Using Both Sides of the Brain: Mind Mapping Techniques" that started me down a very slow and leisurely learning journey.      This year I've been focusing on data visualization and techniques for nonprofits - and working on my visual thinking skills without letting my basic drawing skills become a barrier. I've been a fan of Dan Roam's work since his book "The … [Read more...]

Visual Thinking Presentation for UnitedHealth Innovation Day View more presentations from burowe At the NTEN NTC conference this year, I did a session on data visualization for nonprofits called "Picturing Your Data Is Better Than 1000 Numbers" with Johanna Morariu from Innonet and Brian Kennedy of ChildrenNow. Shortly after, I decided to start curating resources on data visualization over at Scoop.It and continue to add the best stuff to the resources section on the session wiki.   In my … [Read more...]

I've spent the last 9 months working on a book with measurement guru, KD Paine, called "Measuring the Networked Nonprofit"  (sign up here to get a notice when it is available).    One big lesson that I learned about measurement from KD Paine was a systematic, step-by-step approach to measurement.     One of those steps is "Establish Benchmarks." Many nonprofits may set measurable goals then they ask an existential question:  “How do we know that we’ve identified the right number?”  Measurement … [Read more...]

Last week I participated on a panel on "Data Visualization for Nonprofits: A Picture Is Better Than A 1,000 Words" with Johanna Morariu from Innonet and Brian Kennedy of ChildrenNow.      The day of the panel, I published a blog post that shared our slides, wiki, and resources.   But the really wonderful thing about the Nonprofit Technology Conference, is that the knowledge capture is superb.    Our session was documented in many different ways as described below.    Knowledge capture makes it … [Read more...]

NTC 2012: Data Visualizaiton Panel View more presentations from Beth Kanter I’m here at the 2012 Nonprofit Technology Conference in San Francisco this week.  I am on a panel about measurement: Picturing Your Data is Better Than 1,000 Numbers:Data Visualization Techniques for Social Change Are you intrigued by infographics and how they could improve your communication strategy? Are you interested in what it takes for an organization to systematically use data? Or are you maybe even … [Read more...]