Recent Blog Posts

April 4, 2023

When people are asked why data storytelling matters, most of the focus is on the benefits that can be derived by the individuals communicating the insights. However, there are two key perspectives to consider when contemplating why it matters--that of the sender and that of the receiver. While individuals will gain much from developing data storytelling skills, it's ultimately the audiences who will be the greater beneficiaries. This article explores how each side benefits from data storytelling and how data stories can collectively enhance your organization's overall success.

February 22, 2023

Most of the focus on data storytelling is centered on the crafting and telling of data stories. However, to become a better data storyteller, it's important to recognize and understand the two essential steps that precede the telling of a data story--storyframing and storyforming. This article explores the roles that these two exploratory steps can play in identifying meaningful insights before they are crafted and shared as data stories.

January 11, 2023

For many people, data storytelling is just an extension of data visualization. Most of the focus is spent on the explanatory data visualization techniques that are employed in data stories. By focusing primarily on the visuals, the two other key elements of data stories--data and narrative--are often misunderstood and overlooked. It's time for organizations to embrace a more balanced approach to data storytelling that is centered around the effective communication of insights, not just the data visualization aspects.

October 18, 2022

When you share insights with audiences, they must be put in context so they can be fully understood and appreciated. While almost everyone would agree on the importance and value of context, there is little-to-no guidance on how to contextualize numbers. In this post, I share six ways in which you can add valuable background information to your key insights so they can resonate more deeply with audiences.

September 8, 2022

As data storytelling has grown in popularity over the years, there's still some confusion about what it really is--and is not. This article explores what data storytelling is, why it's important, and what shouldn't be considered data storytelling.

June 16, 2022

Many managers are uncomfortable with interpreting the numbers in their reports and dashboards. If this common data literacy problem isn't addressed across management levels, companies will continue to struggle in their efforts to develop data-driven cultures. In this article, I cover four key areas of data interpretation that are essential for all managers who are striving to make data-informed decisions.