Unlock the Skill of Data Communication With These 3 Keys

Data communication is critical for informed decision-making, innovation, problem-solving, risk management, and performance evaluation. The ability to effectively communicate information from data is a skill. However, there is more to data communication than the analytics and statistics; there are key components that allow for it to be conveyed successfully. So what are the keys to communicating about data? Let’s talk about the three that I believe are the most vital.

Storytelling

In my opinion, this is so important when it comes to communicating information or selling something. When statistics and analytics are incorporated into a story, they are perceived as more than just numbers; they are visualized as characters and each data point has a unique role in the story. They bring the overall data to life. Storytelling is a well-known tactic marketing professionals and salespeople use to captivate their audience and make the information they are presenting enticing.

Visuals

Another key component of communication of data is visuals. Everyone loves a pie chart or bar graph (I know I do). Complex data can appear overwhelming, but the right visual aids can bring some clarity into the picture. Charts, graphs, and infographics help transform raw data into easily digestible insights. Visuals help convey a message more powerful than numbers and texts.

Audience

Lastly, you have to get to know your audience. Audience awareness is one of the biggest key components in my opinion. You’re not going to talk about football to someone who thinks Tom Brady is a famous country singer. Of course you’re not! You’re going to communicate that information to someone who actually knows about the game and knows that Tom Brady is one of the best football players to have played the game. Effective data communication is all about tailoring your message to your specific audience, based on their level of knowledge and preference. You have to adapt and be relatable. Adapt to your audience’s preferences, and adjust your data information accordingly to how you think it’s easier to comprehend.

While there are more keys of data communication, these three stand out as notorious. The ability to convey data effectively is a sought-after skill across various professions. Master the art of storytelling, visuals, and audience awareness, and you can master the art of data communication.