How Data Visualization Empowers Smarter Business Decisions

Actionaut Shaun Davis’ “Analytics Advantage” is a weekly newsletter of actionable insights, proven strategies, and top tips for getting the most from your data and making high-stakes decisions with confidence. Here’s a sample issue. We hope you’ll subscribe.

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Another meeting, another team member taking ten minutes to explain the trends in a sea of numbers.

We’ve all been there. The presenter changes to a slide and says, “Ahem, I know this is hard to see, but bear with me and I’ll go through it step-by-step.”

There’s a Better Way

But here’s the thing—it takes boldness on your part.

Often, data issues don’t come from lacking the right tools, skills, or people. They come from a lack of leadership.

You know there’s immense value in data. You’ve seen it on X and LinkedIn posts. You’ve seen it at conferences. You’ve seen it when your fellow executive shows you a chart in a slide deck (that they weren’t supposed to), but it was crystal clear what action needed to be taken.

The Simple Strategy

Here’s a simple strategy for your next meeting:

If someone shows you a chart you don’t understand, say this:

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to stop you here. This chart/jumble of numbers/table isn’t clear. Please re-work it until the action we need to take is crystal clear.”

It’s a bold move, and your team or managers may be taken aback. But they will rise to the occasion.

Stop Validating Lower Standards

When you accept explanations for unclear charts, you’re not just allowing subpar work, you are validating it. You’re allowing your team to offload their responsibility onto you.

The Tools Don’t Matter – The Story Does

Creating data stories that drive action is hard work, but it’s completely achievable. It takes two things: knowledge of data visualization and a deep understanding of your business.

Whether your team uses Excel, Tableau, Power BI, or Looker, they have what they need to craft clear, actionable data stories. The tool itself is secondary. The standard and the story come first.

Set the Standard

Don’t let unclear data fill your meetings and spend your time. Set a standard that demands clarity and empowers decisive action.

Bonus:
Want to learn more about how data leadership can transform analytics in the real world? Check out my interview on the CityClips podcast, where I discuss the power of data in my hometown and beyond. Watch here!

Shaun Davis, your personal data therapist, understands your unique challenges and helps you navigate through the data maze. With keen insight, he discerns the signal from the noise, tenaciously finding the right solutions to guide you through the ever-growing data landscape. Shaun has partnered for 10 years with top data teams to turn their data into profitable and efficiency hunting action. Learn more about Shaun.