Do you present all the data all at once or do you reveal it step by step?

This week, we’re using the newsletter as a quick reminder.

I just wrapped up a 3-hour consulting session with a client. His role involves presenting large amounts of data—and, more importantly, the insights behind it.

The biggest takeaway from our meeting was the power of animating charts. It’s surprisingly easy with PowerPoint, as long as the chart is a native one (read: not just a picture). But why bother?

Here’s why:

• Ease for your audience – Reveal data piece by piece, reducing the risk of overwhelming them by showing everything at once.
• Control the story – Build the narrative yourself. Don’t let the audience create their own (possibly incorrect) interpretation.
• Grab attention – Each new element that appears on screen helps regain (or sustain) audience focus. And you need their attention to get your message across, right?

If you present data but haven’t tried using animations, give it a shot.