We recently looked at a participant’s slide before and after learning our data storytelling approach.
The first version was not exactly wrong. The numbers were there. The breakdown was there. The content was there. But as a slide, it still asked too much from the audience. They had to read through the table, compare the figures themselves, and work out what the point was.
The second version felt very different. The takeaway was made clear upfront. The charts helped the audience see the growth over time more quickly. And the supporting text added context while keeping the focus on the main message.
The data did not change. But the slide served its purpose far more effectively.
That, to me, is the difference between a slide that shows data and a slide that communicates with data. One makes the audience work. The other helps them see what matters.
Tammy Selvam
Senior Business Presentations Specialist – Visualisation Suite