Storytelling with Data: What's the Real Story in the Data?
Ching Valdezco
Communication skills training. We help professionals learn how to present, write, influence, and negotiate more effectively - virtually and in person.
"Every forecast takes a number from today and multiplies it by a story about tomorrow." - Morgan Housel
He describes all forecasts as the same: "Something we know multiplied by a story we like" and adds, "The trick when forecasting is realizing that's what you're doing."
How often do we make what we believe to be sound business decisions based on the data, but get surprised by results far different from what we expected?
When we look at charts and figures, it's natural to feel confident or reassured that the data backs up our point of view. As someone who's created dozens of graphs and tables for quarterly business reviews, I've usually asked myself, "Okay, how does the data support my message?" Not a bad place to start, right?
The problem is, that assumption is colored by the story I'm telling myself about the data. If I'm not careful, that story can blind me to some even more important questions: "Does the data support my message?" "Am I looking at the right data?" "Does this data really mean what I think it means?"
So instead I've learned to start by asking:
If you're involved with QBRs, forecasting meetings, or other meetings that rely heavily on data - and the unspoken stories wrapped around that data - I'd love to hear from you! What other questions do you find helpful?
#storytellingwithdata #criticalthinking #strategicthinking
Director of Global Sales | Client focused | Dance party enthusiast
2 个月Ching, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the importance of not only presenting data but also the story it is telling. Another question I've found helpful is: Why are we telling this story with the data? Sometimes we uncover our unintentional and unintended biases when we ask ourselves why.
Mitel - Group Director, Chief of Staff & Business Operations, Global Sales; #Work Hard, #Winning
2 个月Hi Ching, very much enjoyed reading your article! Absolutely agree that it is important to use different drivers or questions to triangulate on where the business is coming from, what is happening in the business now and where is the business going. I've rolled out or refined MBR/QBR processes, templates, KPIs, etc. a # of times. Despite sometimes different industries or company size, the drivers / questions are generally very similar. Key areas that come to mind are things like historical trending, budget, Y/Y, backlog, pipeline, win/close rates, sales capacity & incentives, delivery capacity, red projects, etc. and operational KPIs that can lead to insights on performance or as leading indicators. Lots of questions to avoid internal/company bias that use data to prove their story Vs. determine what's the real story, is it a tragedy or happy ending and what sequels (i.e., actions) do we need to improve?
VP, Communications @ Codexis | LinkedIn Top Voice | Corporate Storytelling | Branding | Engagement | Patient Advocacy | Speaker
2 个月Great article! Loved the concept on multiplying by a story in the future ??
Insightful