Communicating Data Effectively: 7 Hacks to Enhance Your Skills
Being a technical expert in data is undoubtedly valuable, but without strong communication skills, your insights may not reach the right audience. Mastering the art of communication can often take longer than acquiring technical skills, but with these simple hacks, you can significantly improve your effectiveness.
Establish a Dashboard Cadence: Consistently share important dashboards on a repeating schedule. By proactively delivering the information stakeholders need, you position yourself as a valuable resource who anticipates their requirements.
Use Data Language: While clarity is important, sometimes stakeholders may prefer raw facts over your analysis. Communicating in straightforward data terms can ensure your findings are understood without interpretation getting in the way.
Harness Storytelling: The power of storytelling should not be underestimated. Presenting data in a narrative format helps contextualize your findings and makes them more relatable. A fact-based story can be compelling and convey your conclusions effectively.
Conduct Training Sessions: Regular training sessions are essential, as users unfamiliar with your Business Intelligence (BI) tools are less likely to utilize them. Aim for quarterly sessions to introduce new data assets and refresh users' understanding of existing ones.
Leverage Loom for Guidance: Make Loom your go-to tool for addressing data inquiries. By recording quick tutorials for each question you receive, you provide users with valuable resources they can revisit, ultimately nurturing a culture of self-sufficiency.
Share Data Usage Insights: Transparency about how the data stack is utilized can foster greater adoption. Tools like Zenlytic can offer insights into user queries, helping you demonstrate the value of your data systems and encourage broader engagement.
Create a Plot-of-the-Week Channel: Enhance visibility and promote a data-driven culture within your organization by launching a weekly channel for sharing insights. Highlight interesting findings and key metrics to keep your team informed and engaged with the data function.
By prioritizing these strategies, you can bridge the gap between technical expertise and effective communication, ensuring your data-driven insights have a meaningful impact on your organization.
