Skip to content

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures Paperback - 2013

by Dan Roam

Roam's "The Back of the Napkin," a "Business Week" bestseller, teaches readers the power of brainstorming and communicating with pictures. This expanded edition presents more exciting ways for solving all kinds of business problems.


Summary

The acclaimed bestseller about visual problem solving-now bigger and better

"There is no more powerful way to prove that we know something well than to draw a simple picture of it. And there is no more powerful way to see hidden solutions than to pick up a pen and draw out the pieces of our problem."

So writes Dan Roam in The Back of the Napkin, the international bestseller that proves that a simple drawing on a humble napkin can be more powerful than the slickest PowerPoint presentation. Drawing on twenty years of experience and the latest discoveries in vision science, Roam teaches readers how to clarify any problem or sell any idea using a simple set of tools.

He reveals that everyone is born with a talent for visual thinking, even those who swear they can't draw. And he shows how thinking with pictures can help you discover and develop new ideas, solve problems in unexpected ways, and dramatically improve your ability to share your insights.

Take Herb Kelleher and Rollin King, who figured out how to beat the traditional hub-and-spoke airlines with a bar napkin and a pen. Three dots to represent Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Three arrows to show direct flights. Problem solved, and the picture made it easy to sell Southwest Airlines to investors and customers.

Now with more color, bigger pictures, and additional content, this new edition does an even better job of helping you literally see the world in a new way. Join the teachers, project managers, doctors, engineers, assembly-line workers, pilots, football coaches, marine drill instructors, financial analysts, students, parents, and lawyers who have discovered the power of solving problems with pictures.
 

From the publisher

The acclaimed bestseller about visual problem solving-now bigger and better "There is no more powerful way to prove that we know something well than to draw a simple picture of it. And there is no more powerful way to see hidden solutions than to pick up a pen and draw out the pieces of our problem." So writes Dan Roam in The Back of the Napkin, the international bestseller that proves that a simple drawing on a humble napkin can be more powerful than the slickest PowerPoint presentation. Drawing on twenty years of experience and the latest discoveries in vision science, Roam teaches readers how to clarify any problem or sell any idea using a simple set of tools. He reveals that everyone is born with a talent for visual thinking, even those who swear they can't draw. And he shows how thinking with pictures can help you discover and develop new ideas, solve problems in unexpected ways, and dramatically improve your ability to share your insights. Take Herb Kelleher and Rollin King, who figured out how to beat the traditional hub-and-spoke airlines with a bar napkin and a pen. Three dots to represent Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Three arrows to show direct flights. Problem solved, and the picture made it easy to sell Southwest Airlines to investors and customers. Now with more color, bigger pictures, and additional content, this new edition does an even better job of helping you literally see the world in a new way. Join the teachers, project managers, doctors, engineers, assembly-line workers, pilots, football coaches, marine drill instructors, financial analysts, students, parents, and lawyers who have discovered the power of solving problems with pictures.

Details

  • Title The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
  • Author Dan Roam
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Expanded
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Portfolio
  • Date 2013-02-26
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Deckle Edges, Illustrated, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9781591842699 / 1591842697
  • Weight 1.11 lbs (0.50 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.98 x 8.15 x 0.81 in (20.27 x 20.70 x 2.06 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Creative ability in business, Visualization
  • Dewey Decimal Code 658.403

Media reviews

BusinessWeek's best innovation book of the year

A Fast Company best business book of the year

The (London) Times business creativity book of the year


"A must read for younger generation managers."
-BusinessWeek

"Roam shows that even the most analytical right-brainers can work better by thinking visually."
-Newsweek

"[Roam] shows you how to create simple drawings...that are simple but effective tools in breaking down complex notions and letting you share an idea across cultures and levels of expertise with aplomb."
-Fast Company

"As painful as it is for any writer to admit, a picture is worth a thousand words. That's why I learned so much from this book. With style and wit, Dan Roam has provided a smart, practical primer on the power of visual thinking."
-Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind

"Inspiring! It teaches you a new way of thinking in a few hours-what more could you ask from a book?"
-Dan Heath, author of Made to Stick

"This book is a must read for managers and business leaders. Visual thinking frees your mind to solve problems in unique and effective ways."
-Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures

"If you observe the way people read or listen to things in the early 21st century, you realize that there aren't many of us left with a linear attention span. Visual information is much more interesting than verbal information. So if you want to make a point, do it with images, pictures or graphics...Dan Roam is the first visual consultant for the customer. And the message sticks."
-Roger Black, Media design leader, author of Websites That Work

"Simplicity. This is Dan Roam's message in The Back of the Napkin. We all dread business meetings with their mountains of documents and the endless bulleted power points. Roam cuts through all that to demonstrate how the use of simple drawings-executed while the audience watches-communicate infinitely better than those complex presentations. Is a picture truly worth a thousand words? Having told us how to communicate with pictures, Roam rounds out his message by explaining that 'We don't show insight-inspiring pictures because it saves a thousand words; we show it because it elicits the thousand words that make the greatest difference.' And that is communication that works."
-Bill Yenne, author of Guinness: The 250 Year Quest for the Perfect Pint

About the author

As the president of Digital Roam Inc., Dan Roam has helped leaders at Microsoft, Google, Wal-Mart, the Federal Reserve, Boeing, and the U.S. Senate solve complex problems through visual thinking. Dan and his whiteboard have appeared on CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, Fox News, and NPR. He lives in San Francisco.

Visit: www.thebackofthenapkin.com

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Roam, Dan

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 2.93
SGD 4.11 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CD's, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included.
Item Price
SGD 2.93
SGD 4.11 shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Roam, Dan

  • Used
Condition
UsedAcceptable
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Annandale, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 4.11
SGD 5.48 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedAcceptable. The cover shows heavy wear. Fast shipping and order satisfaction guaranteed. A portion of your purchase benefits Non-Profit Organizations, First Aid and Fire Stations!
Item Price
SGD 4.11
SGD 5.48 shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Roam, Dan

  • Used
Condition
UsedVeryGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Annandale, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 4.11
SGD 5.48 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedVeryGood. Fast shipping and order satisfaction guaranteed. A portion of your purchase benefits Non-Profit Organizations, First Aid and Fire Stations!
Item Price
SGD 4.11
SGD 5.48 shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Roam, Dan

  • Used
Condition
UsedVeryGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Skokie, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 5.36
SGD 5.48 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedVeryGood. The front text block edge is deckled Fast Shipping - Each order powers our free bookstore in Chicago and sending books to Africa!
Item Price
SGD 5.36
SGD 5.48 shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Roam, Dan

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Skokie, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 5.36
SGD 5.48 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood.
Item Price
SGD 5.36
SGD 5.48 shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition) : Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition) : Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Dan Roam

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.37
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2013. Paperback. Very Good. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
SGD 8.37
FREE shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition) : Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition) : Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Dan Roam

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.37
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2013. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
SGD 8.37
FREE shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition) : Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition) : Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Dan Roam

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
8
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.39
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2013. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
SGD 8.39
FREE shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Roam, Dan

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
Edition
Expanded
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 9.41
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Portfolio. Expanded. Good. Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
SGD 9.41
FREE shipping to USA
The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

by Roam, Dan

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Edition
Expanded
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781591842699 / 1591842697
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 12.72
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Portfolio, 2013-02-26. Expanded. paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
SGD 12.72
FREE shipping to USA