Storytelling with Data

How do you turn a forgettable graph into a compelling data story? For more than a decade, the team at storytelling with data has helped leading organizations and countless professionals transform their business communications into action-inspiring narratives. Now, they're bringing the best of those lessons to you—in the beloved before-and-after format synonymous with their popular workshops. Through twenty powerful makeovers, watch ineffective charts evolve into engaging visuals that captivate, inform, and lead to smarter decisions. World-renowned data storytellers Mike Cisneros, Alex Velez, and SWD founder Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic guide you through proven methods to strengthen your communications, sharing the thought process behind each redesign so you can confidently apply the concepts to your work. Building on core principles from the international bestseller storytelling with data, refined through thousands of workshops, they demonstrate the straightforward, intentional changes—like simplifying visuals, eliminating clutter, and emphasizing key insights—that will transform your graphs and slides from the expected to the extraordinary. In storytelling with data: before and after, you'll learn how to: Structure stories that connect with your audience Create visuals that clarify complex information Apply color, layout, and design to focus attention on what matters most Overcome common challenges like time constraints and poorly designed templates Craft narratives that make an impact and influence outcomes Every page of storytelling with data: before and after is packed with insights drawn from real-world experience, distilled into easy-to-implement strategies. No matter your role, experience level, or comfort with data, you'll learn practical lessons you can apply right away. Each transformation delivers meaningful takeaways to help you create data stories that resonate—and get results. This book is your ultimate blueprint for turning graphs into persuasive, decision-driving stories.

acknowledgments xiii about the authors xiv introduction before storytelling with data 1 Chapter 1 design for insight or action 21 Chapter 2 embrace basic graphs 39 Chapter 3 say it with words 57 Chapter 4 draw attention to what matters 71 Chapter 5 trust your instincts 87 Chapter 6 identify a story to tell 103 Chapter 7 justify your assumptions 121 Chapter 8 know your audience 131 Chapter 9 plan for success 155 Chapter 10 move from “what?” to “now what?” 181 Chapter 11 avoid common mistakes 195 Chapter 12 optimize within constraints 217 Chapter 13 bring beauty to your emails 229 Chapter 14 prioritize substance over style 243 Chapter 15 report with a purpose 257 chapter 16 generate empathy with qualitative data 273 Chapter 17 find the right level of detail 287 Chapter 18 explain with data stories (not dashboards) 301 Chapter 19 value your time 323 Chapter 20 weave it all together 347 what’s next after storytelling with data 372 index 393