One of the most valuable gifts I’ve ever been given at work was from the retiring planning guru, who bequeathed me a powerpoint document containing every chart he’d ever used.
I don’t think I realised at the time just how useful it would turn out to be, both for those ‘how do I show this insight in a different way’ moments and for when inspiration fails completely.
I’ve spent some time adding to the ‘Toolbox’, (the paper version of which now fills a lever arch file) and now the combined paper & digital edition includes:
- every interesting chart or graph I’ve seen used in other people’s presentations recently
- inspiring articles on the future of planning, research methodologies, the role of brands, trends in new media etc.
- really good awards entries and case studies
- a scrapbook of great creative and imagery I admire
My toolbox has become so valuable that I’ve made an extra copy to keep at home in case of fire, flood or an Act of God destroying the office.
What would you put in your toolbox?
i carry a businesscardholder. and on blank businesscards i write strategies, tools, graphs i come across in books, blogs and bars. this is my portable tool kit. at home i have two bookclosets and i have two big cartboard boxes filled with articles and stuff. am currently thinking about scanning all my books and having them online, since i write in bylines and mark alot of my books.