How can you present data to a non-technical audience in a way that is engaging and informative?

Knowing your audience is key no matter what presentation you'll be doing. But when it comes to presenting data, it's important to research your audience. It will be easier for them to understand if you can adjust your presentation to your audience level and incorporate their business keywords and expressions. So my recommendation, if possible, is to try to talk to your audience when creating your presentation and ask them to explain why they are interested in this data, what they hope to get out of it, and what they think will be the outcome. As they explain, you can estimate their knowledge, and you may be able to pick up keywords they use to explain data/interest/goals.

To present a data set, one must know the subject, whom one is expecting to read the content. In my opinion, the subject line should be finalised to be one that is more in heart to heart connection with the target audience. The content of the data must be presented in a frank combination of both technical and some very easy terminology to even address the freshers in the target audience. Secondly the data must explain why it is important for the audience to know the content in terms of some material benefits to them wether in the short or the long run.

Absolutely Spot On! I can't stress enough how essential it is to have a heart-to-heart with your data's end users. Think of it this way: Would you tell a bedtime story to a toddler the same way you'd share a thriller plot with a friend? Probably not. The magic lies in the delivery. Sometimes, a colorful chart can speak volumes more than a table of numbers. At other times, a simple analogy or story might be the bridge between confusion and clarity. Remember, it's not about dumbing things down; it's about making data relatable and digestible for those tuning in. So, take that extra step to get in their shoes and see the world from their perspective. You'd be surprised at how much difference it can make!

I agree audience awareness is key. It will allow you to know their needs and expectations, enabling you to speak their language. Facts and figures will make more sence if enriched with stories that resonate with your audience. This humanizes your data and makes is easy to underatand. Above all bring it home by personalizing the data. This is where framing your presentation in the typical circumstances of your audience will make it more relatable.

In my experience, it is important to study and get insights on your audience. This will help you in breaking down the data for a specific audience rather than to all audiences.

Just ask yourself, "How can I (or we), in the simplest possible way, create a presentation that engages my audience and gives them value and knowledge?"

The format in which we choose to present data is as pivotal as the content itself. It's akin to selecting the right tool for a specific task. A slide deck is your go-to for live presentations, allowing you to visually walk your audience through your findings. Dashboards, on the other hand, serve as interactive platforms, offering real-time insights. Opt for a video when aiming to craft a compelling narrative, while an infographic condenses complex data into digestible takeaways. And for those desiring comprehensive insights, detailed written reports remain unparalleled. It's essential to match the format with both the data's nature and the audience's expectations.

By using the "simplifying complex concepts" approach, telling a relatable story, and avoiding jargon. Nevertheless, it is imperative to know your audience.

Try to find a balance between the time it costs to make your format and the importance of the message, how often it needs to be repeated or refreshed. A video is great but takes a lot of time and is a one-off medium. Obviously important messages warrant for a great effort to get the message across.

"simplifying complex concepts" creating graphical tables for big data to be presented in presentation the more the readable is your presentation provides more clarity to the subject

You should use a language that is familiar to your audience, and remember to start on a high level and then move into more details when your audience is engaged and understands.

Clear communication is the heart of effective data presentation. Think of it as translating data into a language everyone understands. By ditching the jargon and embracing simplicity, we bridge the gap between raw numbers and real-world understanding. Using familiar words, short sentences, and relatable examples turns data from abstract figures into tangible insights. It's all about ensuring the data sings its story in a language everyone can hum along to.

Align to your audience, when communicating to Finance people they will want to see actual numbers more than graphs. When communicating to C-level technical terms are fine.

I recommend you try out the visuals you will incorporate into your presentation on colleagues or friends. Give them first a short background story, show them the visuals, and then ask them to explain it back to you. If they can't, or it takes too long for them to understand, then you need to change something. It shouldn't take more than a few seconds for someone to understand what they are looking at. It may take them longer to understand the result but not the visual itself.

Indeed, visuals are powerful tools in our data presentation arsenal. When executed correctly, they can transform abstract numbers into relatable stories. But as you rightly pointed out, the key lies in selecting the appropriate visualization for the data in question. It reminds me of the saying, 'A picture is worth a thousand words.' When we get our visuals right, they can speak volumes.

The more visual approach the more you can highlight the content which is critical and crucial ! Instead going on reading the whole paragraph with data the way you represent to conclude it in short span of attention is the key also to keep your audience engaged will assist you more

Too often I see reports which are essentially Excel tables but built in a BI environment, or the other end of the spectrum; dashboards stuffed full with graphs. You need to be able to explain the purpose of the dashboard in 1-2 sentences, then choose the appropriate visualisations to support it. Do not add extra information just because it is interesting or to show off your skills.

I love the old fashioned visuals/bars with data labels. Audiences tend to unlock the story for themselves making it easy to back up the data with bullet highlights. With more 'sophisticated' visuals and stacks today, data labels remain the winner most times regardless of audience.

Yes to all of that, if possible. But what I like to do is also involve my audience and ask them questions. By letting your audience into the presentation, you will know if they understand and if they are engaged.

Telling a story with data is like sharing an exciting event or a movie with a friend. You want to make it relatable and easy to follow. Using real-life examples and drawing comparisons can help make data feel more personal and less like just numbers on a page. It's all about making your audience care about the data as much as you do.

Creating a narrative plot where you know the start the middle and the conclusion need to be connected and keep the audience engaged to your content while presenting a story where you use references , metaphors asking questions which will keep you audience connected to a core along with them understanding the structure or agenda will keep them more focused asking doubts in between fir more clarity

Don't wait until your data report is finished to get feedback. Involve your audience (or a test group) earlier. In my experience many people do not know exactly what they are looking for so anything they request at the beginning will not be the same when they start using the report. So get a test group in early, start generating feedback already. Not only will you end up with a better report, save time but the report will be easier adopted because it is better aligned with the users.

Yes! You should always get feedback. I can't tell you how many times I missed some small but important detail because the things I wrote or visualized were clear and obvious to me. But for someone else, it did not make any sense. Show your presentation to someone to get feedback, and you can also ask them to explain what they think you want to convey.

Be confident, and remember it's okay if you don't have the answer to all questions they might have. Just ask for time to find out more and then come back with an answer when you have one. In the end it’s always more important to be correct then to be able to answer on the spot.

One important factor in data delivery is to be a believer of what you are presenting. The audience can easily detect if you are presenting what you do not believe in. It is key to understand the data you are presenting and how you came about the data.

1. Know Your Audience: Understand their familiarity with the topic. 2. Use Visuals: Charts, graphs, and infographics simplify complex data. 3. Limit Jargon: Avoid technical terms and explain when necessary. 4. Tell a Story: Frame data within a narrative to provide context. 5. Simplify Data: Highlight key takeaways, avoiding data overload. 6. Engage Emotionally: Connect data to real-life consequences. 7. Clear Data Labels: Ensure data labels are easy to read and understand. 8. Plain Language: Use straightforward language for explanations. 9. Use Analogies: Relate complex concepts to something familiar. 10. Engage in Dialogue: Encourage questions and discussions.

Technical people are usually able to be excited about technical subjects because of a good understanding of how the knowledge and data is useful. To non-technical people, however, the raw knowledge without the context can be dry and unmotivating. Most people understand that the boring technical part is important, but you can engage them and impart some of your enthusiasm if you can look from their perspective and see what real-world problems can be addressed with technology. People become interested when you explain how their tasks and responsibilities can become easier and more efficient with applied technology.