Health Care On the Back of a Napkin

Published September 30, 2009 @ 10:20AM PT

The rise of the digital era has helped people think differently about the way that graphical interfaces can better communicate essential information. New York Times infographics, GOOD Magazines "Transparency" section, Geni's family tree software - these are all examples of companies distributing information through graphics that make it easier to comprehend. Social entrepreneurs as well can use information to take their often big, complex ideas, and put them in a format that makes it easier for the general public to understand - and perhaps more importantly - get excited about.

One of the best examples is this recent Slideshare presentation about the national health care debate. The presentation, which was part of Slideshare's recent "Best Presentation in the World" competition, used simple images - drawn without a lot of artistic talent - to break down the crazy national health care conversation into a few specific chunks.

As someone who has been pretty actively following the debate, this was still immensely valuable. Basically, the presentation helps you understand who the players are, what the situation is now, and how the options on the table would shit things. It's argument is that the bills being debated are largely about insurance reform, and the major questions are about what new actors are added to private companies to pay for treatment.

Healthcare Napkins All

View more documents from Dan Roam.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the presentation was produced by Dan Roam, the guy who wrote "The Back of The Napkin" - a book all about how to convey big ideas through visual imagery.

I think this mode of thinking could be valuable for social entrepreneurs with distruptive models. This health care presentation is fundamentally about showing, simply, what exists now, and explaining, simply, what might change. This is a powerful way to illustrate change.

Are there examples of social entrepreneurs who have done this particularly well? If so, include them in the comments and we'll keep a running list of inspirations.

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Comments (4)

Dan Roam has the potential to be the modern day equivalent of the Gutenberg press!

Posted by Oceania OZ on 09/30/2009 @ 03:46PM PT
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I actually read this book a few months ago, and it is definitely a great resource for entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs alike. I find it very helpful for those who need to communicate an extremely complex concept, it not only helps communicate your idea to others, but it helps organize the kind of thought chaos that happens in the minds of those with disruptive ideas. For those who are interested I have posted on my personal blog a summary of The Back of The Napkin that outlines the thought process shown in the video. I think the summary might be helpful for those who are looking to apply this type thinking to their own organizations. http://su.pr/1NYHeY

Posted by Kevin Asuncion on 09/30/2009 @ 04:43PM PT
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Great presentation. It explains our current situation very well. I'm helping http://drsforamerica.org/ with spreading the message of health care reform. I think this is something they could really use!

Posted by Nelson de Witt on 10/01/2009 @ 08:58AM PT
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Awesome presentation. I want to create a napkin presentation!

Posted by Luella - on 10/09/2009 @ 01:57PM PT
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Author

Nathaniel is the founding Director of the Center for Global Engagement at Northwestern University, which works annually with hundreds of students in dozens of countries around the world through curricular programs and student project incubation.