Chris Seybold

We live in a world of data. How many patients a medical practice saw in one month, how many power outages a city experienced, or how much money a government agency is spending are all examples of information gleaned from data. Data always has a story to tell, but do you know how to tell that story in a way that can inform your business’s strategy or solve problems?

When you’re looking at the health of your company, everything might look like it’s going according to plan. As long as you and your employees stick to it, sales and profits will continue to increase. But, this is a pitfall that many companies fall into —judging their business by how it is functioning on the surface instead of analyzing the data that can give a more accurate picture. However, data analysis is only the first step. You have to understand what the data is telling you and find an accessible and memorable way to tell the story to your employees and other stakeholders.

Curious to know how data storytelling could benefit you? Keep reading for three ways it can help your business work smarter.

Data visualization, also known as “data viz,” has become an integral part of how businesses operate, communicate with employees, and make decisions. It’s a communications tool that allows for complex ideas and relationships to be presented and understood in a simple format. Charts, graphs, pictures, and maps are all examples of data visualization that most of us are familiar with.

While data visualization can help distill complex data, it can also oversimplify information which can create challenges in decision-making. Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of data visualization so you can be sure your business fully understands how to use it effectively.