How to Effectively Leverage Data in A Presentation

Our industry thrives on numbers; whether the exact measurements for a specific type of duct or calculating the proper work hours for a particular project, raw data forms the core of what we do. However, as we all know, just throwing a PowerPoint of raw statistics for a presentation is not the most captivating audience experience. While you will get the information over to the audience, your discussion points may need to be recovered in a sea of data, reducing the retention odds. Communicating crucial information is just as important as what you are laying out there.

So, the question becomes, how do you thread that needle? How do you provide precise, relevant data in a memorable and retainable format?

A straightforward approach intertwines the primary data points with an overlying narrative. Your narrative needs to generate investment from your audience. It would help if you showed them why they should care. Associations Now has provided a great “how to” to be successful at “data-based storytelling.” The primary takeaway of this article is that you must ensure that your data and your story work hand-in-hand, not exclusive of each other.  The best way to think about it is like this – the “story” component of your presentation should be focused on engaging the audience and cultivating investment through an emotional tie-in, and then…you bring in the data points, the complex data that brings the crowd to the collective “a-ha!” moment where their emotional investment is fortified by complex data that makes this narrative believable and legitimate.

The Harvard Business Review provides additional tips you can leverage when needed. Clarity and simplicity are the name of the game. Focus on a limited number of touchpoints is critical to the audience. Don’t be overwhelmed with waves and waves of raw data. Instead, focus on those mentioned above “a-ha” moment that wants the audience to ask you for more information now that you are viewed as a subject matter expert and voice of authority.

Data is always going to stay in style. Numbers do talk. But how you, as a presenter, get those numbers to talk is more critical than ever. You can make that information go even further by building a robust narrative.