2025-04-03 01:00:31
Acronyms are real space savers. Can you imagine having to write out “The United States of America” instead of simply “USA” every time you wanted to refer to it? The labels in our graphs alone would become overwhelming and unwieldy.
In business, though, it seems that acronyms, lingo, and other shorthand creep insidiously into every communication. Invariably, someone in your audience will be unfamiliar with one or more terms that you thought were universally understood.
For instance, check out the performance scorecard below. Without any additional context, imagine how it would feel to be in a meeting and see this slide on the screen.
To the person who created this slide, every title, graph, and annotation makes perfect sense. A subset of the audience will understand it as well, though it may require a bit of effort. The remainder of the audience will likely feel like you do right now: overwhelmed, confused, or even annoyed at being asked to do so much cognitive work.
Without counting, how many different acronyms or abbreviations do you think there are in that scorecard? Ten? Fifteen? More?
The answer is 30. Thirty different acronyms on a single slide! Even accounting for some commonly used ones like USB or YTD, there are still two dozen that remain. Some of those are out-and-out misleading, to boot. The scorecard’s three main columns are entitled PRO, CONS, and REC. Usually, you expect pros and cons to represent opposing sides of an argument, but here, they are just abbreviations for PRObability and CONSequence.
If you’re using an acronym in a communication, spell it out the first time it appears—even if you’re pretty sure everyone in the room knows what it means.
There’s no guarantee that this graph, slide, or presentation won’t end up in front of a different audience later—or that a new employee in the room will be familiar with all the acronyms and lingo. The worst case scenario of being overly clear in text is that everyone will know what you’re talking about.
On the other hand, if you are referring to the same program across multiple slides, you can use the acronym after the first mention. Ultimately, it depends on whether saving space is worth it, especially if future slide or graph titles are longer.
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to impress with insider language—it’s to make sure your message lands. When we default to clear, accessible terms, we reduce the cognitive load and make it easier for everyone to engage with the content. That’s not just a kindness; it’s a strategic move. So whether you’re building a scorecard, writing a chart title, or drafting a report, pause and ask yourself: Will this be clear to someone seeing it for the first time? If the answer’s no, take the extra moment to spell it out. Your future self—and your future readers—will thank you.
If you found this helpful, there’s more where that came from. Our upcoming book, storytelling with data: before and after – practical makeovers for powerful data stories, is packed with real-world examples, step-by-step redesigns, and smart strategies just like this. It’s available now for preorder and will be published this fall—we can’t wait to share it with you!
2025-03-20 19:44:03
When I'm about to lead an in-person workshop, I usually like to get there early and scope out the room. I go through my usual routine: picturing myself talking to everyone, figuring out where I can move without blocking the screen, making sure the clicker works – mentally ticking off these items allows me to feel confident for the upcoming session.
But recently, at a client workshop (you can find out more about our team trainings at https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/team-trainings), the situation was a bit different. Instead of the usual layout with tables or theater seating, it was just a regular boardroom with a big table and a screen at one end. There were a handful of participants joining virtually and the organizers had me sit at the end of the table due to the proximity of the Laptop connector.
Right away, I knew my usual "stand up front" approach wouldn't work. The room felt too small and casual for a four-hour standing presentation, and I'd definitely block the screen for the online attendees. With these factors in mind, I chose to conduct the workshop sitting down.
After an engaging session with an enthusiastic group, I started thinking about the differences between sitting and standing while presenting. Here are three tips I can offer for making a sit-down presentation engaging and successful.
1. Keep the conversation going
We always aim for our workshops to be interactive. In a traditional lecture-room style setup, however, participants might hesitate to share their thoughts or ask questions. But sitting down made it feel more like a natural conversation. The relaxed atmosphere, however, did lead to more interruptions with attendees feeling free to jump in and it took extra effort to keep the agenda on track.
I found myself changing what I had planned to fit the flow of the discussion. Since the real value of a workshop is often the conversation between attendees, it's better to be flexible with the content rather than stick to a rigid agenda. When it comes to delivering an engaging experience for your audience ensure you know your content well enough to be able to seamlessly flex it depending on the situation.
2. Use your words to direct people’s attention
When you're standing, it's easy to point to the slides and make that connection clear. But sitting down meant I had to be more thoughtful about my slides.
For any presentation, whether it's in person or online, keep your slides simple and focused. They should support what you're saying, not just show every detail. With less on the slides, people can scan them easily while listening to you. I was able to indicate verbally to my audience when to look at the slides. In addition, I added pauses, giving my audience time to assess the content before returning their focus to me.
3. Bring energy with your voice, expressions, and posture
Moving with purpose and using gestures are effective ways to help keep people engaged during a presentation. But when you're sitting, you've got to find other ways to do that. To keep my energy levels high, I made sure to stand up during breaks and when people were working independently. I also paid attention to my posture to avoid looking slumped, which can also affect your voice and energy.
Even when you're sitting, your body language still matters. Leaning in to emphasize a point, using your hands (even if it's just a bit), and making eye contact can make a big difference in helping to generate a rapport with your audience.
Looking back, I truly enjoyed the conversational feel of that workshop. It kept me on my toes, and I'd be happy to do it again. Next time, I’d consider standing at appropriate points in the session. Delivering the introductions, more theoretical aspects and presentation examples would all be good opportunities to stand and mix the delivery style up.
It was a good reminder that even with our best-laid plans, things don't always go as expected. It's important to be ready to adapt and to know your content well enough to present it effectively in any situation. That's what makes a presentation truly successful.
2025-03-13 02:41:32
One of the things I love most about storytelling with data is seeing the “aha” moments—when someone recognizes that graphs aren’t just numbers on a page but a visual language that can help us make sense of the world. This realization doesn’t have to wait until adulthood. What if we introduce kids to the power of data early—when curiosity is high and learning is an adventure?
That’s precisely the goal with our new Daphne’s Data Detectives program. Read on to learn more about how we’ve been inspiring the next generation of analysts and storytellers—and how you can help.
Since the release of Daphne Draws Data last fall, I’ve had the amazingly fun opportunity to share the superpower of number and graphs with many young students. We discuss how data can be explored, played with, and used to solve real-world mysteries. I’ve read Daphne Draws Data to hundreds of elementary school children and led students as young as kindergarten through their first graphing exercise.
To see how empowered kids feel after using graphs to answer important questions—like How do you select your next book to read from the school library? or Where is the best place on the playground to make new friends?—is pure magic.
Now that we’ve perfected the approach, it’s time to expand our reach. We are looking for Lead Data Detectives, Chart Champions, Insight Investigators—people like you, who have attended an SWD workshop or read our books; follow the SWD blog, podcast, or YouTube channel; or are an active part of our SWD community—to help us bring this experience to even more kids.
Through this program, passionate individuals will lead 30–45 minute interactive sessions with K–4 students (with a sweet spot at 3rd–4th grade), helping them discover the superpower of numbers and graphs. We will provide you with everything needed to make your job easy and engaging, including:
Copies of Daphne Draws Data for students and their schools/libraries
A ready-to-go lesson plan, interactive slides, and activity guides
Video resources showcasing how I’ve led these sessions before
Stickers and bookmarks (kids love them!)
To help bring this opportunity to more kids, storytelling with data will donate books whenever possible, in particular to schools and organizations without budgets for this type of event. For those receiving donated books, all we ask is that Lead Data Detectives seek sponsorship or other support to offset shipping costs. At this time, SWD can only donate books within the US. (Non-US participants will need to secure books through Amazon, local bookstores, or other retailers.)
We’re looking for individuals who:
Are familiar with SWD lessons: have attended a storytelling with data workshop; read our books; follow the blog, podcast, or YouTube channel; or are an active member of the SWD online community
Are passionate about data storytelling and elementary education
Have access to young learners—through schools, libraries, or community groups in their local area
Are willing to support the program (or seek support from their company) to help cover costs like book purchases and/or shipping
Applications will be reviewed based on enthusiasm, reach, and ability to effectively engage with students. Priority will be given to those who can help offset program costs, allowing us to reach even more young learners.
I’m incredibly excited about the potential of this program. Imagine a future where more kids grow up knowing that graphs aren’t just something they see in textbooks but a tool they can use to understand themselves and the world around them!
If you’re interested in becoming a Lead Data Detective, apply today or read full program details here. I can’t wait to see the impact we can make—together.
2025-03-07 23:00:00
Lately, my workdays have been split between two very different—but equally exciting—worlds. One moment, I’m reading Daphne Draws Data to a room full of 6-to-9-year-olds, helping them create their very first bar charts. The next, I’m deep in edits on a new book for grown-ups, clarifying words and refining data visualizations that will make an impact in the workplace.
Today, I’m thrilled to officially share that the latter is now available for preorder!
storytelling with data: before & after is a book we’ve wanted to write for quite a while. This time, though, you won’t just hear from me—you’ll also get insights from my co-authors, Mike Cisneros and Alex Velez. If you’ve been to one of our workshops, you know how much we love tackling ineffective graphs and underwhelming slides, turning them into clear, compelling visuals. This book captures that same approach, drawing from the countless scenarios we’ve seen with clients over the years to show how small, intentional changes can transform your charts from expected to exceptional.
Packed with real-world makeovers and practical strategies, before & after is designed to help you sharpen your data communication skills and create visuals that truly resonate. Whether you’re distilling a complex dataset, refining a key presentation, or simply looking to level up your charts, this book will equip you with the tools to turn data into engaging visuals that captivate, inform, and drive smarter decisions.
We’ll be sharing sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes insights as we get closer to publication, so stay tuned. But why wait? Preorder now and be the first to see the transformations!
2025-02-28 22:43:44
People don’t always like talking about themselves. It can feel self-promotional, awkward, or even braggy. But when you’re trying to engage others—whether in a meeting, presentation, everyday conversations, or even a data visualization—sharing something personal can be a powerful way to connect.
I was reminded to this yesterday while working with a group of high school seniors. They are preparing for upcoming Ted Talk-style presentations on their year-long research projects. We were workshopping how to introduce themselves in a way that felt natural and compelling. One student, Tatiana, struggled with this, sharing, “Everything I come up with sounds like I’m bragging. I don’t like talking about myself.”
Her project was on fashion design, and after chatting a bit it became clear that she wanted to communicate her passion for sewing. When I asked when she started sewing, she said, “Oh, when I was three.” There it was—the perfect hook! Instead of stating it outright in a way that might feel uncomfortable to her, we flipped it around to invite the audience in:
Imagine yourself at age three. What was something you loved to do? When I was three years old: I LOVED to sew. I’ve loved it ever since. My name is Tatiana, and my lifelong love of sewing is why I’d like to talk to you about fashion design today.
Suddenly, her introduction wasn’t just about her—it involved her audience, too. She wasn’t bragging; she was creating a shared moment, a point of connection.
This technique isn’t just useful for presentations—it’s just as relevant in other forms of communication, including data visualization. My colleague Alex recently introduced an exercise in the SWD community in a way that immediately pulled people in. Instead of beginning with a dry explanation, she opened with a personal anecdote:
Even I, someone who once moved apartments because of a wolf spider in my closet, tried holding a tarantula at the zoo. Was it a good idea? No, I dropped it and screamed. But at the time, I just wanted to step outside of my comfort zone.
Before even getting to the data visualization challenge, Alex created an emotional connection. She made me laugh as she made herself relatable and sparked curiosity. Then she transitioned into the core lesson—how we sometimes want to “go crazy” in our visualizations, stepping outside the familiar to try something new.
Whether you’re giving a talk, writing a blog post, designing a data visualization, or simply having a conversation, consider how a personal hook can make those you’re communicating with more engaged. Instead of leading with facts, start with a relatable question or a short anecdote. Bring them into your world before guiding them through your information and message.
The goal isn’t just to tell a story—it’s to create a connection. Sometimes, the best way to do that is by sharing something personal.
2025-02-15 02:54:42
There’s a well-known phrase that pops up in certain corners of the internet: Explain it like I’m five (often abbreviated as ELI5). When people encounter a complex idea, a breaking news story, or even the latest reality TV scandal, they sometimes just want the simplest possible explanation—something that reads like a summary from the Simple English Wikipedia.
When you’re presenting complicated information, you might be tempted to take this same approach—assuming that your audience wants you to break things down as if they were five years old. Don’t do it! The ELI5 method encourages the wrong mindset. Five-year-olds need explanations that are superficial and stripped of nuance because their brains are still developing. We tailor our speech to their level, stretching their comprehension to its limits. But if you talked to an adult that way, they’d feel completely condescended to.
Your audience isn’t made up of children. In almost every business setting, you’re speaking to intelligent adults—capable thinkers who can process complexity. The only difference between you and them at the moment you start your presentation is that they’re simply under-informed. Rather than dumbing things down, imagine you’re explaining the topic to the smartest people you know—on their very first day at a new job. Your role is to orient them, equipping them with the knowledge they need to make decisions, take action, and get others on board with your recommendations.
With this mindset, you’ll frame your communication effectively. You’ll provide crucial context, guide people through key considerations, and help them understand both what needs to be done and why it matters. And as any parent can tell you, “Why?” is a favorite question of five-year-olds—but it’s not one they’re great at answering.