Present Beyond Measure

1Understand Why Effective Data Presentation Is Critical to Good Business

“If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be meetings.”

—Dave Barry

In 2014, an up-and-coming digital agency invited me to speak at their annual client summit. It was only my third event gig, so I was riddled with “newbie” nerves. It didn't help that I was sharing the stage with one of the most well-known analytics experts in the world.

To calm my nerves, I settled in the audience for the session before mine to observe the attendees. I spied an intelligent-looking data practitioner taking the stage, his slides lighting up the theater backdrop behind him. And then, I can't remember a whole lot after that.

I vaguely recall his droning, monotone voice, unintelligible visuals, and lots of claiming to be an expert in this and that without providing any actionable information.

But there is one thing I will never forget during his conclusion. Amidst the tepid applause, I overheard an audience member turn to his companion and whisper something that made my blood run ice cold:

“That was, like, the worst presentation I've ever seen.”

These words, in this order, are the kiss of death to a presenter's confidence. I felt my stomach drop out, knowing that the stage had already been set for such harsh criticism.The truth was, I agreed with the critic. Clearly, the presenter's content, slides, or delivery weren't ...