Let’s Create a Funky, Creative HR Map

I was reading this great local magazine (Eleven Magazine) about music, community, and culture and noticed that they include several pages of maps.  Maybe I’m the odd duck because I rarely read magazines in print anymore and I can confidently say I haven’t picked up an actual newspaper in eons.  This one caught my attention though on a recent trip to The Tap Room with Chris Frede (@HRBuoy) and Dwane Lay (@dwanelay), two local St. Louis HR bloggers.

In this case, I’m reading through this very hip, trendy magazine and find myself drawn to a map coordinated with a calendar to identify local area events over the next several months.  They also have a section called “Neighborhood of the Month” that has another map that directs readers on hot spots and happenings in that neighborhood.  It’s accompanied by narrative to draw you into following the arrows on the map and make the events and locations sound appealing.

I liked it so much, I started thinking about how human resources could incorporate maps into our work with clients.  I’ve personally used process maps and flow charts with success over the years.  What I’m thinking of now is a different type of map.  One that could incorporate concrete information but meld it with some fun and funky, eye-catching ways to get the reader to want to follow the map.

Maybe I’m a dreamer….I’ve been called worse.  I’d still love to try to come up with something.  What do you think?  Is there a fun way to incorporate HR information or process into a fun and creative map?  Share ideas in the comments and let’s see what we can come up with collectively….