There is a lot of talk about using storytelling to better communicate the value of data and analytics — how much do you personally know about the art of storytelling and how to improve these skills?
I completely agree with you on that. There is a lot of generic and theoretical advice about this topic. It's all about exactly what you mentioned: "Tailoring the story and trying to put yourself in their shoes to provide a narrative that will be compelling based on what you understand about their priorities, goals, and objectives." It's crucial to spend time understanding how the potential audience thinks and sees the world. I'm still learning about that myself—doing presentations, trying, and even failing most of the time to convey certain messages. By that naturally, after each experience, I’m learning more about the business I’m in.
So, yes, at the end, it's not about how much you know about the art of storytelling, it's more about how much you know about the field and the people you're telling the story to. And think as well it's about how you transform your data into a story that is clearly visualized and understood by your audience.
"Storytelling with Data" by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
"Made to Stick" by Chip Heath
Know your audience - A story that resonates with the CFO might put the CMO to sleep. Tailoring is key.
Start with the 'why' - People care about the implications of data, not just the numbers themselves.
Use analogies - Comparing complex data concepts to everyday experiences can make them more digestible.
Create tension - Set up a problem or challenge early in your narrative to keep people engaged.
But here's the thing – I'm still learning. Every presentation, every report, every casual conversation about data is an opportunity to refine these skills. I've found that the best way to improve is to seek feedback relentlessly.