Present Beyond Measure

19P is for PURPOSE

“The secret of success is constancy to purpose.”

—Benjamin Disraeli

As you're learning, when each of us gathers around the conference table, we're all showing up with an assortment of our own needs, desires, and concerns.

“Are we going to miss our quarterly sales quota?” “Why is our email campaign performance declining?” “Where are we overspending?” These are all questions that could be circulating within the minds of the attendees.

The questions we don't want our audience asking are, “What the heck am I doing here?” or, “What's this whole thing about?” Everyone should be abundantly clear on the purpose of the meeting. One of the most common mistakes I see is jumping to create a chart without identifying the purpose of the visualization. And that is what the first step in the PICA Protocol is all about.

Remember how your whole presentation needs a purpose or objective? Guess what? Each of the data stories and individual charts, tables, and diagrams need one as well. Ideally, each purpose directly reinforces and propels your presentation narrative forward while motivating the audience toward the greater purpose.

Purpose Starts with a Q

I believe that every powerful and impactful data story begins with a clear and focused question. I always like to say that curiosity is where ignorance ends and wisdom begins.

Sometimes that question feeds into a dialogue with yourself, your data, or your stakeholder. Remember the list of decision-maker interview questions ...