Latest posts

Below are the most recent articles or resources I’ve published. If you are looking for help on a specific topics, it would best to look at the topics in my Articles archive as I have grouped my recent and best articles by topic there.

  • Comparing to two standards; Issue #388 May 2, 2017

    Use a column with two dashed lines to compare a value to two standards Continue reading

  • Showing the components that add up to a total; Slide Makeover #87

    Use a Steps to a Total graph to visually show components instead of a spreadsheet. Continue reading

  • When gridlines help on graphs; Issue #387 April 18, 2017

    When showing ranked values with a related data series, use gridlines to help the audience relate the values Continue reading

  • Makeover Monday Challenge April 10 2017

    Use an index line graph instead of a dual axis chart to compare trends in different data series. Continue reading

  • Minutes/seconds on clock visual; Issue #386 April 4, 2017

    One of the messages you may want to communicate in a presentation is a length of time measured in minutes or seconds. It may be the time it takes for a step in a process, it may be the time it takes for processing a request, or the goal for answering customer service calls. While…… Continue reading

  • Using published research results; Issue #385 March 21, 2017

    One of the most powerful pieces of supporting information you can use to provide proof of a point you are making is to use a visual created as part of research from a government agency, industry group, or private research firm. These qualified, independent sources provide third-party support to the point we want to make…… Continue reading

  • Shapes on arrow sequence diagram; Issue #384 March 7, 2017

    Use a “shapes on an arrow” diagram to show steps in a process Continue reading

  • Celebrating 15 years; Issue #383 February 21, 2017

    Fifteen years ago I decided to start writing this bi-weekly newsletter. Back then it was more broadly focused on office technology. Over the years as my business has become more focused, so has the newsletter. Today I call it Presentation Insights and most of the topics deal with ways to effectively present data, which is…… Continue reading

  • Don’t Grab and Hope; Issue #382 February 7, 2017

    When I deliver a customized workshop, I always start the day spending at least 90 minutes talking about how to structure your message. During this time I don’t mention slides at all, even though I am talking about creating effective PowerPoint presentations. Why should all business presenters spend time on the structure first? Because the…… Continue reading

  • Replace the default legend; Issue #381 January 24, 2017

    When a column or bar chart has to be small so that other content can fit on the slide, the default legend can cause a challenge. The color chips used in the legend become so small that it may be hard for the audience to see which color represents which data series. This gets even…… Continue reading