You’re struggling to communicate with stakeholders. How can you use data to improve your approach?

Zoom out, find out where your data piece sits in the puzzle of business need. Don't rely on a stakeholder to give you the exact specific question in the first instance, they're a human making their own assumptions too. There's a good chance they are under- or overestimating the value of the data that can be accessed.

Step 1. “Don’t get mad, get data.” -Forrester Senior Analyst Kim Herrington When struggling to communicate, emotions can run high. Lean in to feelings of discomfort and get CURIOUS about why you feel the way you do. For a former colleague who was working at a front desk, he was FRUSTRATED because when another front desk closed for lunch, his area became SWAMPED and his performance during that hour got HIM in trouble with leadership. I encouraged him to “make the invisible, visible” and helped him craft a simple tally sheet to mark additional traffic over that hour for a week. He then took these simple stats to leadership- and they in turn staffed the other desk during lunch. ?? He even got promoted!?? Instead of getting MAD, he got DATA!

Your partners want to know something specific. The Board may want to know you're being faithful to the mission, or fiscally responsible or adventurously innovative. Your parents may want to know your schools are excellent at teaching math, or invested in safety. Your students may want to know how interested you are in listening to their ideas or investing in a new program. Whatever the case, learn what your stakeholders and community members want, and provide simple to understand, visual representation of how effective your efforts have been at taking steps in that direction. Several charts that show an increase in your contribution to one key area of concern of one key group do that very well. Show that you heard and responded!

Identifying your purpose and audience is pivotal for crafting effective communication. Your purpose delineates the objective you aim to achieve—be it informing, persuading, or motivating—while your audience comprises the recipients of your message. Clarify specific goals and outcomes, ensuring alignment with broader organizational objectives. When identifying your audience, consider demographics, roles, interests, and knowledge levels, segmenting if necessary. Conduct audience research to glean insights. Tailor your message, tone, and delivery methods accordingly, ensuring resonance and engagement with your audience while achieving your communication goals.

Here are some ways to improve your communication with stakeholders: 1. Understand Stakeholder Needs: ? Analyze past communication records to identify stakeholder concerns, and preferred communication styles. Conduct surveys to understand stakeholder priorities, preferred communication channels. 2. Tailor Your Message: ? Segment stakeholders based on their interests and information needs. Tailor data presentations and reports to resonate with each group. Translate data into clear, actionable insights. 3. Increase Transparency & Build Trust: ? Present data visually using charts, graphs, and info graphics to make complex information more easily. Ensure data accuracy and provide references to sources to build trust.

Selecting relevant and reliable data sources is critical for informing decisions and building credibility. Consider reputable sources such as peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and industry reports. Evaluate sources based on credibility, objectivity, and relevance to your topic. Ensure data accuracy, currency, and transparency in methodology. By leveraging trustworthy sources, you enhance the credibility and validity of your analysis and recommendations, fostering informed decision-making and building trust with stakeholders.

Analyzing and interpreting data involves examining patterns, trends, and relationships to extract meaningful insights. Look for key findings, anomalies, and correlations within the data set. Compare results against benchmarks or previous periods to identify changes or areas of improvement. Consider the context and implications of the findings, exploring potential causes and effects. Communicate findings clearly, using visualizations or narratives to illustrate insights effectively. By interpreting data thoughtfully, you can derive actionable insights to inform decision-making and drive positive outcomes.

Old me: “I don’t have the crayons??? to explain this to you.” ?? Current me: “I have all the HEX codes ?? to explain this to you!”?? If your message isn’t hitting the mark, it’s not JUST about the data literacy level of the audience, or your skill as a data storyteller- it’s ALSO a lack of communication skills and channels between you and the stakeholders to get on the same page. Your goal isn’t to “dumb things down” it’s to get stakeholders on the same page. ?? Interview your stakeholders, and lean in hard to learn their functions, objectives, and beliefs. This info can help you better align your communication. ??Check out “motivational interviewing” training to re-learn how to LISTEN via active reflections.??

Rather than presenting data, your best bet for creating a compelling narrative is with the insights specific to what you are driving your stakeholders towards and then if possible, the action that should be taken to get a desired result. We are running out of a product in this store in x days, we need to order y amount in the next z days in order to keep supply on the shelf. Then all of these insights are backed up by data and figures, etc.

I like using the appropriate visual (chart, graph, etc.) with images/icons that are within the industry. For example, when presenting to auto dealers, I would use images of full vs empty parking lots, highway lanes with traffic, and so on to represent variables. You can get very creative with colors and car models. It can work with any industry and can make the presentation more interesting and engaging.

Presenting and communicating data effectively involves using clear visuals, such as charts or graphs, to illustrate key insights and trends. Organize the data in a logical and coherent manner, highlighting important findings and providing context where necessary. Use concise titles and labels to enhance understanding, and consider the audience's level of expertise when explaining complex concepts. Incorporate narratives or annotations to provide additional context and interpretation. By presenting data in a clear and engaging manner, you can facilitate understanding and decision-making among stakeholders.

Consider the accessibility of your data presentation, ensuring it's comprehensible to diverse audiences. Tailor your communication style to resonate with stakeholders' preferences and priorities. Be open to feedback and iterate on your approach to continually improve engagement and understanding. Additionally, explore innovative visualization techniques or storytelling methods to enhance the impact of your data communication efforts.