1. Storytelling with Data
Subhasree Chatterjee

3. 1. Introduce the
plot
2. Provide context
for audience
3. Answer why
should they pay
attention
Aha
moment!
1. Develop what
could be
2. Illustrate with
examples
1. Key
Takeaways
2. Call to action
Beginning Middle End
We’re
here

4. Why is it important?
63% of people
recalled a story from a
presentation, but only
5% recalled a statistic

5. Storytelling with data isn’t a new concept!

6. Engaging Educational Universal Memorable
Characteristics of a Good Story

7. Lead Data Analyst Master’s in
Business Analytics
Long distance
runner

8. 79% People find
presentations
boring and
46% admitted to
getting distracted

9. Villains in our Stories
Lack of audience awareness
Overemphasis on data
Not making emotional
connection

10. Know Your Audience

11. 61%
65%
76%
89%
Exposure
Isnpiration
Professional
Development
Learning
Understand their motivation

12. 1. Introduce the
plot
2. Provide context
for audience
3. Answer why
should they
pay attention
Aha
moment!
1. Develop what
could be
2. Illustrate with
examples
1. Key
Takeaways
2. Call to action
Beginning Middle End
We’re
here

13. Elements of
Storytelling

15. Be the Data Detective – Build your Case
The problem you’re
trying to solve
Your search for
evidence
Your most
important insights
Solution to the
problem

16. Look for data that rejects your
hypotheses

17. Do the analysis right

18. Be the Data Detective – Build your Case
The problem you’re
trying to solve
Your search for
evidence
Your most
important insight
Solution to the
problem

19. Actionability Relevance
Impact on users
Alignment with
business goals
Insights
Select the most impactful insight(s)

21. 1. Develop what
could be
2. Illustrate with
examples
1. Introduce the
plot
2. Provide context
for audience
3. Answer why
should they
pay attention
Aha
moment!
1. Key
Takeaways
2. Call to action
Beginning Middle End

22. • Main
recommendations
Beginning
• Back up with the
most impactful
insights
Middle • Potential impact of
the
recommendations
End
Act as the Advisor - Cut to the Chase!

23. •Keep it high level
•Boil it down to an
elevator pitch
•Three is the magic
number
•Emphasize on business
impact
•Format: Presentations
Senior Management
•Start with the big picture
and then zoom in
•Keep it simple and
specific
•Emphasize on product
impact
•Format: Interactive
dashboards
Direct Stakeholders
•Dive as deep as needed
•Technical details are
appreciated
•Share obstacles and
learnings
•Format: Six pagers
Peers from same group
•Don’t make assumptions
of prior knowledge
•Establish common ground
•Cater to different learning
styles
•Format: Presentations
Mixed Audience
Make your Narrative Personal

24. Emphasize the Call for Action

26. Use visuals that reinforce, but not distract

27. Choose Effective Visuals

28. 1. Look for data that rejects your
hypotheses
2. Do the analysis right
3. Select the most impactful insights
1. Use visuals that reinforce,
not distract
2. Choose effective visuals
1. Act as the advisor
2. Make your narratives
personal
3. Emphasize the call for
action

29. 1. Introduce the
plot
2. Provide context
for audience
3. Answer why
should they
pay attention
Aha
moment!
1. Develop what
could be
2. Illustrate with
examples
1. Key
Takeaways
2. Call to action
Beginning Middle End
We’re
here

31. 60 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003
The Earth has a Deadline,
let’s make it a Lifeline.
We must #ActInTime.
What is our window for
bold Climate Actions?

32. 1. Introduce the
plot
2. Provide context
for audience
3. Answer why
should they
pay attention
Aha
moment!
1. Develop what
could be
2. Illustrate with
examples
1. Key
Takeaways
2. Call to action
Beginning Middle End
We’re
here

33. Villains in our Stories
Lack of audience awareness
Overemphasis on data
Not making emotional
connection

34. Heroes of our Stories
Know your audience
Create your story combining data,
narrative, and visuals
Make an emotional connection

36. THE END
Subhasree Chatterjee