How can you effectively present data to non-technical audiences?

Tips para aumentar tu efectividad al hacer una presentación analítica a una audiencia no-especialista en datos: - Relevancia: cada indicador, gráfico, o tabla debe contribuir claridad sobre el escenario analizado. - Menos es más: lo que no es estrictamente necesario, debe eliminarse, sobre todo si es una presentación realizada a cargos jerárquicos y/o clientes que tienen poco tiempo. - Para qué: definir claramente cuál es el objetivo del análisis. - Accionables: qué decisiones podemos tomar con los datos? Dejarlo siempre claro. Recordemos que si no es para tomar decisiones, los datos no suman valor. Y como decía mi profesor Alberto Zimerman: "si tu tía Juanita lo puede entender, lo estás explicando bien". KISS = Keep It Simple, Stupid

The best strategy to present data to non-technical audiences is to simplify the data, provide context and interpretation, and use data visualization. However, it is also crucial to know our audience, define our goal, and incorporate storytelling when sharing technical information. By focusing on the initiatives and pain points that our audience cares most about, we can make our presentation resonate with them.

I have noticed that presenting data to non-technical audiences is about crafting a compelling narrative, not drowning them in numbers. It's a dance of clarity and emotion. You must translate cold data into relatable stories, using visuals that resonate with their experiences. Charts should be simple, not overwhelming. Numbers should support, not dominate. Make it relatable; connect data to real-world impacts. Add a dash of emotion - show how the data affects lives. And remember, the goal isn't just comprehension; it's empathy, action, and change.

As a Power BI developer here is how I would approach this aspect: 1. User Persona Customization. Here I would focus a lot on the role and background of the audience. 2. Simplified Visualization. More often than not Simple is better. The visualizations should be intuitive and make data interpretation easier for the audience. 3. ToolTips and Drillthrough. Whenever possible try to provide additional context for specific data points offering brief explanations without cluttering the main view. Drillthrough allows users to delve deeper into specific data points ensuring both high-level and granular insights are accessible. 4. Glossary and Definitions. Incorporate a glossary or definitions within the report.

To clarify data, think about who you're talking to. Use simple words and avoid techy talk. Make it relatable. Pictures or charts can help explain things. Stories make data more enjoyable and help people remember it. Make your conversation a two-way street—ask for questions or thoughts. Give them reasons to care about the data, like how it can help them. Tell them what they can do next. Pick the right tool to show your data, something that makes it easy for people to get what you're saying. Keep it focused and engaging.

Selecting the optimal format is like choosing the best route to a destination. Our team was debating on the best way to present data insights to a board of C-suite executives. A dense report or an interactive dashboard would have been tedious for this audience. Instead, we opted for an explanatory narrative. It surfaced the key insights as headlines with an executive summary on actionable advice. The reception was astounding. Pick the format based on your audience and they'll be thankful to you!

As I teach students 19 years old, I am trying to transform abstract data concepts like revenue growth and cash flow into relatable experiences that resonate with them, even when they are unfamiliar with data buzzwords. Consider this scenario: I'm presenting data to a group of students eager to launch their startups. . How can I make data more relatable to them? Let`s take The Startup Dashboard as a GPS. I let them imagine a startup as a car on a road trip. My destination is a success, but I need a reliable GPS. In this analogy: Startup Dashboard: My business metrics (KPIs) are like the data displayed on my car's dashboard. These include my speed (revenue growth), fuel gauge (cash flow), and distance traveled (market reach).

Choosing the right format is crucial for effective data presentation. Power BI offers diverse options like reports, dashboards, and interactive visuals. For non-technical audiences, a dashboard provides a concise view, highlighting key metrics. Reports allow deeper dives into data. Interactive visuals, a standout feature of Power BI, enable users to explore data intuitively. While dashboards offer at-a-glance insights, interactive reports cater to those wanting detailed analysis. It's essential to align the format with the audience's familiarity and needs. Often, a blend of Power BI features ensures comprehensive data communication, catering to varied preferences.

I think sometimes it's good to produce multiple forms of the same data in order to give a full understanding to different folks. Not everyone is adept at reading reports, so you may have to have a summary type report and a more detailed one, as well. That way, people aren't lost in an exorbitant amount of information.

O formato ideal pode depender de muitos fatores, como do que a sua audiência valoriza e espera, de quanto tempo você tem para entregar a sua mensagem, de qual o objetivo da sua apresenta??o, de que recursos você tem à disposi??o, etc. é importante considerar todos esses fatores para escolher a melhor maneira de executar o seu plano. às vezes, você pode combinar diferentes formatos. Por exemplo, enviando um material como leitura prévia à apresenta??o presencial que será feita dias depois. Seja estratégico na escolha do formato. O mero fato de considerar esse fator e pensar sobre ele antes de executar uma mensagem já vai contribuir para o seu sucesso!

I would first expain to the audience about very basics of what is the data about and would then prefer to ask audience what they would like to extract as useful information from the data. Based on thei answers from audience I would keep explaining relevant things for them. This way I will be able to engage the audience and also avoid overload on them and audience will not be bored.

Don't get lost in the details to a non-technical audience. You may understand the specifications but that's probably not why they are there. Here's the 3 W's you can focus on instead: What is the big idea? Where can they learn more if they do want to indulge? Why does this matter to them? Even though the audience may not understand how your idea works they care more about why it's relevant to them. Giving insights to where they can learn more can create additional follow-up opportunities. Keep the big picture in mind, attention spans are limited, don't waste people's time and they will appreciate your tact.

No seu livro "Sobre a escrita: A arte em memórias", Stephen King explica a fórmula que usa em seus livros: 2a vers?o = 1a vers?o – 10%. Eu tento ter isso em mente quando vou revisar qualquer discurso ou apresenta??o que me proponho a fazer. A vers?o revisada sempre pode ser pelo menos 10% mais concisa do que a original.

Putting yourself in others' shoes is always good practice. Pretend as though you don't know anything about what you're presenting, and what would you need in order to understand the data if you were someone else. Consider the background, age and even location of your audience.

"Absolutely, presenting data effectively to non-technical audiences is all about making it accessible and engaging. Using clear visuals, storytelling, and relatable examples can also help convey the message without overwhelming them."

Data visualization is the bridge between raw data and comprehensible insights. Present a table of numbers to 10 people, and each person will draw their own interpretation. But, when you visualize the insights with clear takeaways, you leave nothing to imagination. Visual storytelling is a powerful tool that humanizes the data and makes it relatable.

Visuals and narratives are at the heart of Power BI's data presentation philosophy. The platform offers a rich palette of visuals, from simple bar charts to intricate treemaps, each customizable with colors, shapes, and icons to resonate with the audience. But beyond static visuals, Power BI excels in interactive elements, allowing users to engage and explore data layers. Narratives in Power BI aren't just about data; they're about weaving a story. By sequencing visuals, analysts can craft a journey from problem to solution, using data as the plotline. The combination of interactive visuals and structured narratives ensures that Power BI reports aren't just informative but also compelling, and memorable for non-technical viewers.

In my opinion data must be connected to business decisions. Data must be presented in a way that your audience is convinced about the insight / idea you are selling In my experience, data presented visually have more impacts they remain at top-of-mind and achieve results faster and more efficiently. Think about a heatmap. Present risks in a visual manner helps understand the audience better about criticallity than a list.

As a highly visual person, I can attest to the power of visualizing data and content in general. Technical and non-technical audiences can understand without resistance once the story around the information is clear, concise, factual, and appealing. A mix of well thought visualizer via PPT, animation, and video are good methods to own and control the pace of the presentation while making it interesting for all stakeholders to comprehend

To engage and resonate with non-technical audiences, leverage visuals and narratives. Visuals, with colors, shapes, icons, and images, make data intuitive. Narratives craft a story with characters, conflicts, and resolutions. Use both to structure your presentation logically, creating a compelling, memorable message.

I think its about completing the story. Most of the presentations I have seen where non technical audience get lost are focussed more on the numbers, what was found and the complexity of the problem. But what they need is the story, what is happening, why it is happening and what are the conclusions derived from it and how it can be linked to business strategies.

The numbers aren't impactful unless you can translate it to mean something that is important to them. Help them connect with the meaning of the data and make it relevant to their work.

O objetivo de uma apresenta??o n?o pode ser restrito a "entregar um conteúdo", mas sim fazê-lo de uma maneira em que a audiência possa digeri-lo e compreender a relevancia e a aplicabilidade dele. Isso às vezes requer diminuir o escopo a ser apresentado, o que possibilita explorar mais esse conteúdo e garantir que ele foi compreendido.

Simplifying and visualizing data helps, but non-technical audiences may still have questions. Be ready to explain and educate using plain language, analogies, and examples. Be patient and respectful, avoiding jargon or technical details that may confuse or intimidate them. Your goal is clarity and understanding.

Storytelling done right will move your audience. With data, it's no different. People aren't moved by reason, but by their deepest desires - once you've understood your audience, you can take findings from your data that will work at a deep level. Tell a story, use sticky ideas. Example: experts agree a minimum daily intake of 0.8g of protein per kg is needed for your body's systems to function. Global average is at 0.6g/kg (WHO). Animal-based foods are by far the biggest source of bioavailable protein. Beef provides 2x the amount of protein (gram-for-gram) compared to cooked beans (the vegan protein champion). Some places to start: design thinking, persuasion, copywriting, storytelling. Master these, dominate the boardroom.

To engage non-technical audiences effectively, make your data presentation interactive and impactful. Encourage questions, feedback, and data exploration. Inspire action and decision-making by offering clear, actionable recommendations. Highlight benefits and risks, and convey urgency and relevance. Use emotions, humor, and stories to connect and motivate your audience, making the data personally resonant and actionable.

One thing I have found helpful is to relate the data to the daily life of your audience. For instance, if you talking to farmers. Relating the data set to seeds, harvest, or change in season will help them have a better understanding of your message.

From a Power BI perspective I would mention the following points: 1. Consistent Design: Maintain a consistent design throughout your Power BI reports. Use a uniform color scheme, font, and layout. This consistency reduces cognitive load and makes the report more digestible. 2. Feedback Loop: Encourage feedback from your audience. This can help you understand what's working and what's not, allowing you to refine your reports over time. 3. Documentation: Provide a brief documentation or guide alongside your report. This can explain the data sources, the methodology used, and how to interpret the visuals.

Treat the presentation like you would a Customer Journey in Marketing. Define milestones in the journey and map information to them. Start with small/catchy/snackable pieces of info and go more in-depth as you progress. Always use anchors to link one step to the previous one. Have a "red thread" that goes through the entire presentation. Keep in mind that the most important parts are the 1st and last slides so start with a "captatio benevolentiae" and finish with a bang. Don't shy away from real world or even pop culture references. Amazing contributions from everyone on the topic!

An important tip: Do not talk down on your audience. Don't treat them like they aren't smart because they are still trying to connect the dots. Your job is to help educate them on this journey of understanding.