Stories beat statistics: How to master the art and science of data storytelling

Description

Companies collect all kinds of data and use advanced tools and techniques to find insights, but they often fail in the last mile: communicating insights effectively to drive change. Brent Dykes discusses the power that stories wield over statistics and explores the art and science of data storytelling—an essential skill in today’s data economy.

Brent sets the stage by explaining why you need to communicate effectively with data. He then dives into the psychology of storytelling and details how decisions are often influenced by emotion—not logic or reason. By combining data (logic) with story (emotion), Brent demonstrates how data professionals can communicate more effectively their insights to their audiences and shares a powerful framework for understanding how data storytelling can leverage data, narrative, and visuals to influence change. Along the way, Brent covers the structure of a data story, the data storytelling arc, how to bring characters or heroes into your data story by focusing on the people behind the numbers, and the visual aspects of a data story. You’ll also get five tips for creating better visual stories—identify the right data, choose the right visualizations, calibrate visuals to your message, remove unnecessary noise, and focus attention on what’s important.

Physician and early pioneer of antiseptic procedures Ignaz Semmelweis discovered a life-saving insight but failed to tell its story. He missed an opportunity to save countless lives because he simply couldn’t communicate his insight effectively. Don’t let it happen to you. Join Brent to learn how to become a data storyteller and ensure your insights drive action and positive change.