How to Communicate with Data Effectively

WebinarAugust 2024

Communicating with data isn't just telling people numbers and showing them plots and hoping your message is clear. You need to understand your audience's goals, desires and level of understanding. You need to ensure the clarity and persuasiveness of your message.

In this session, Miro Kazakoff, a Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan and the author of Persuading with Data, and David Boyle, the Director at Audience Strategies and author of the PROMPT series of books, teach you how to communicate more effectively with data. You'll learn how to research your audience's needs, how to craft a communication strategy, and how to persuade your audience using data - even when they disagree with you.

Key Takeaways:

Learn techniques to understand your audience.
Learn to communicate clearly with data, visualizations, and AI assistance.
Learn how to persuade people with data, even if they resist.

Resources

Summary

In our current data-driven era, the skill to effectively convey data insights is vital. The webinar focused on the skill of data communication, underlining the significance of grasping the audience's needs and adjusting messages accordingly. Renowned experts like Miro Kazakov from MIT Sloan and David Boyle, a Director of Audience Strategies, shared knowledge on effective methods of data communication, persuasion, and the curse of knowledge. They examined the subtleties of informative versus persuasive communication, the need for empathy in understanding audience needs, and the significance of segmenting audiences to adjust communication effectively. The experts also discussed the changing role of AI in audience research and communication, highlighting AI's potential as a thought partner but advising against excessive dependence without real-world calibration. David Boyle shared interesting cases from the music industry, revealing how artists like David Guetta and Snoop Dogg utilize data to comprehend and expand their audiences. Miro and David also emphasized iterative processes in communication and the significance of continuous learning. They ended by encouraging data professionals to consider marketing strategies and usability to ensure their insights influence stakeholders as intended.

Key Takeaways:

Effective data communication strategies require understanding the audience's needs and adjusting the message accordingly.
Persuasion is inherent in all forms of communication, whether informative or not.
AI can act as a valuable thought partner in audience research but should not replace real-world evidence.
Iterative processes and continuous learning are vital in refining communication strategies.
Marketing strategies and usability are key to ensuring data insights have the desired impact.

Deep Dives

The Skill of Data Communication

Communicating data insights effectively requir ...
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es a detailed understanding of the audience's needs and the context in which the data is presented. As Miro Kazakov highlighted, the "curse of knowledge" can hinder effective communication. Experts must adjust their language and approach depending on whether they are addressing data scientists, managers, or customers. The ability to shift from informative to persuasive communication is vital. As Kazakov put it, "Even when you're informing people, you're trying to demonstrate that your analysis is credible." This highlights the need for data professionals to cultivate empathy and understanding, ensuring that their insights are not only accurate but also relevant and actionable for their audience.

Informative versus Persuasive Communication

The difference between informative and persuasive communication is central to data storytelling. David Boyle pointed out that executives often seek "novel useful truths" rather than just interesting data. This means that data analysts must go beyond presenting facts and figures to show the implications and actions that should follow. As Boyle noted, "Our job isn't merely to find truths, but to find useful truths." This involves understanding the business context and aligning data insights with strategic goals, thereby transforming data from simple information into a persuasive tool that influences decision-making.

AI as a Thought Partner in Audience Research

AI is reshaping the field of audience research and communication. While AI can analyze large datasets and provide insights into audience needs, it should be viewed as a thought partner rather than a definitive source of truth. As Boyle explained, AI can "help you think through the likely wants and needs of your audience," but its insights should be calibrated against real-world data. This balance ensures that AI augmentations enhance data storytelling without leading analysts down inaccurate paths. The integration of AI into data processes requires careful calibration and a blend of human intuition and technological proficiency.

Continuous Learning and Improvement

Effective communication is a learning process. Both Kazakov and Boyle emphasized the importance of refining communication strategies through feedback and adaptation. Kazakov noted that analysts must "iterate well and have a discipline about how they iterate." This involves actively seeking feedback, learning from past mistakes, and continuously improving communication techniques. The learning process also extends to understanding audience needs, as Boyle highlighted the importance of asking questions like "What keeps you awake at night?" to gain deeper insights into stakeholder priorities and challenges.