Present Beyond Measure – Design, Visualize, and Deliver Data Stories That Inspire Action

LEA PICA is a data analyst turned Data Storytelling Advocate, international speaker, and workshop facilitator who teaches how to present data and inspire action to thousands of data and marketing practitioners around the world. Her mission is to transform data meeting snoozefests into vehicles for change using the power of neuroscience, storytelling, emotion, and effective communication.

Prologue xi Act I Conceptualize: Presentation Planning, Story, Structure, and Brainstorming 1 1 Understand Why Effective Data Presentation Is Critical to Good Business 2 2 Be Your Audience 9 3 Learn to Speak Different Audience Languages 17 4 Transmit a Clear Message 23 5 Tell an Actual Story 29 6 Create Conceptual Clarity with Analogies 42 7 Suit Up Your Recommendations for Action 46 8 Translate Your Content into a Persuasive Outline 53 9 Brainstorm Your Content into Slide Format 70 10 Digitize Your Analog Slide Content 77 Act I Intermission 85 Act II Design Your Slides: Slide Graphics, Layout, and Emphasis 86 11 Why Bad Slide Design Is Not a PowerPoint Problem 87 12 Sharpen Their Vision with Preattentive Attributes 97 13 De-fluff Your Slides and Embrace White Space 106 14 The Lethal Downside of Bullet Points 115 15 Create Hype with Your Type 122 16 Harness the Power of Real Imagery 139 17 Master Motion with Simple Animation 162 Act II Intermission 172 Act III Visualize Data: Data Visualization + Storytelling featuring the PICA Protocol Prescription 173 18 Data Storytelling: The Intersection of Conceptualization and Design 174 19 P is for PURPOSE 176 20 I is for INSIGHT 182 21 C is for CONTEXT 194 22 A is for AESTHETICS 201 23 Choose the Right Chart 219 24 Avoid the Most Common Visualization Violations 234 25 Next-Level Charts to (Carefully) Consider 253 26 Create Ethical Data Visualizations 260 27 Build the Story: The PICA Protocol in Action 268 Act III Intermission 281 Act IV Deliver: Public Speaking, Preparation, and Communication Mastery 282 28 Why Does Delivery Even Matter? 283 29 Practice Like the Pros 285 30 Refine Your Speech Patterns 290 31 Master Your Mind and Body 295 32 Master Your Audience and Overcome Challenging Communication 304 33 Beast Mode Techniques for Maximum Audience Engagement 309 34 Send an Effective Presentation Handout 317 Act IV Intermission 324 This Is the End and Just the Beginning 325 Did You Enjoy This Book? 329 Resources 330 Recommended Reading, Resources, and Experts 332 Closing Credits 333 About the author 336 Index 337