Help with Presenting Data

Overview

There are many occasions (and reasons) when data of some sort needs to be presented to other people. This might be “formally”, e.g. via an actual presentation, or more “informally” as part of something more akin to a meeting. Regardless of the occasion, reason or “formality”, though, for the data to be presented effectively, it needs to be done so in a way that actually achieves the intended goals of the session, whatever they might be.

Unfortunately, some things can often get in the way of this effectiveness:

• data (and presenting data as well) is perceived as being boring
• audiences don’t understand what the data means and what they therefore need to do with it
• the thought of presenting data is daunting and stressful and so it is not done with confidence

The goal of this workshop is therefore to address these issues by focussing on the knowledge and skills required to help participants to present data in a way that’s interesting and understandable for their audience. This then helps to ensure that their audience will have a clear idea of the insights associated with the data and that they will therefore know what the corresponding actions will be. By doing so, it is much more likely that the goals for presenting that data will be achieved and so, ultimately, it will be effective.

In addition, because the participant knows that they will be presenting that data in an interesting, understandable and action-focussed way, when it comes to delivering it, they will do so with more confidence and less stress than before.

Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• get better results when they present data in the future
• describe the core principles associated with effective presentation of data
• present data in a way that their audience will find interesting
• ensure that their audience knows what the data means to, and for, them
• focus on the actions associated with those data insights to make sure that the audience knows what needs to be done
• choose data visuals appropriately to aid understanding
• apply data visuals best practices for increased clarity and focus
• adjust their approach accordingly for “formal” or “informal” styles of delivery
• describe how to adapt the presentation of their data for report purposes
• present data more confidently in the future

Duration

One day

Format

The workshop is very participatory in nature allowing participants to learn with, and from, each other. This increased level of interaction aids understanding and learning whilst also addressing one of the underpinning objectives of the workshop in that it should be fun!

Whilst technology will be mentioned during the workshop, the workshop itself has been specifically designed to be technology-free for participants, ensuring that the focus is on the learning and its application and that this is not hampered by technical issues or differences.

The workshop is also very practical in nature as it is designed with a focus on how the participants can put their new knowledge and skills into practice straightaway. Participants will reflect on this during the day and create a personalised action plan for when they present data to others in the future.