How to turn data into stories

Tutorial: How to Turn Data into Stories

Step 1: Setting the Stage

• Start by gathering data from multiple sources or systems and feeling overwhelmed by the process.
• Recognize the importance of cohesive data presentation to your audience.

Step 2: Creating a Template

• Provide a template to your colleagues with guidelines on fonts, colors, and graph sizes for consistency.
• Share data on headcount, hiring, promotions, transfers, and attrition with your team.

Step 3: Graph Design Best Practices

• Cut clutter from your graphs by removing grid lines, labels, and unnecessary elements.
• Opt for horizontal text over diagonal text for easier readability.
• Adjust the spacing between bars to visually balance your graphs.

Step 4: Consistency and Detail

• Ensure consistency in graph titles, axis labels, and legends for a coherent visual presentation.
• Address inconsistencies in font size, color, and style across different graphs.

Step 5: Directing Attention

• Use color sparingly to highlight key data points and create visual contrast.
• Experiment with line thickness, intensity, and style to draw attention to specific data series.

Step 6: Storytelling with Data

• Weave multiple graphs together to tell a compelling story about your data.
• Drive your audience towards specific actions or decisions based on the data presented.

Step 7: Tools and Resources

• Utilize PowerPoint and Excel for creating and animating graphs.
• Explore tutorials on the storytelling with data YouTube channel for guidance on graph formatting and animation.

Step 8: Incorporating Brand Colors

• Use branded colors sparingly to maintain a cohesive look in your graphs.
• Consider color blindness issues and sequential highlighting to ensure accessibility.

Step 9: Convincing Leadership

• Showcase the value of storytelling in data communication by highlighting how it provokes thought and aids in decision-making.
• Demonstrate the impact of incorporating storytelling skills in driving meaningful outcomes for the business.

Step 10: Practice and Persistence

• Experiment with storytelling techniques in low-risk scenarios to build momentum.
• Encourage grassroots adoption by showcasing successful instances of data storytelling.

By following these steps, you can effectively turn data into engaging stories that resonate with your audience and drive impactful decision-making. Remember to practice, seek feedback, and continue honing your data storytelling skills for maximum impact.