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.

  • FastCompany.com January 14, 2017

    In this FastCompany.com article, Dave’s survey on what annoys audiences about bad PowerPoint presentations is used as a starting point for the author giving some tips on using images in presentations. Continue reading

  • Axis that doesn’t start at zero; Issue #380 January 10, 2017

    If you read articles by data visualization experts on the topic of measurement axes that don’t start at zero, you will find one common theme: strong opposition to the idea. While I agree with them in most cases, I want to suggest an exception to this rule. Let’s start with the key issue. By default,…… Continue reading

  • Showing performance where we want to be below a goal; Issue #379 December 20, 2016

    Showing performance where the desire is to remain below a standard (vs. the usual above the goal) Continue reading

  • Focusing the message for variance analysis; Slide Makeover #86

    Focus your message with a visual that highlights important variances Continue reading

  • Order data to support your message; Issue #378 December 6, 2016

    When comparing values, make sure the order supports the message Continue reading

  • Monster.com November 22, 2016

    Dave is one of the experts quoted in this article titled “10 PowerPoint hacks to make your presentations look more professional”: https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/powerpoint-hacks-1116.   Continue reading

  • Handling requests for one slide only; Issue #377 November 22, 2016

    In two recent customized workshops a participant asked how to handle a request from an executive to provide just one single slide, instead of a full presentation. In this article I’d like to share my advice if you receive such a request. First of all, let’s discuss why an executive makes this type of request.…… Continue reading

  • Quality of conclusion, not Quantity of work; Issue #376 November 8, 2016

    One of the issues I often see in presentations is a slide with a spreadsheet showing all the calculations that were done when analyzing a situation or set of data. This is usually an indication of a fundamental difference in what the presenter thinks the executives want and what the executives actually need. The presenter…… Continue reading

  • Less isn’t more, Clear is More; Issue #375 October 25, 2016

    In my customized workshops I show makeovers of slides the participants have provided to show how cutting the information overload makes the message much clearer for the audience. I often hear someone say that this is an example of the “less is more” approach. In this article, I want to explain why I don’t think…… Continue reading

  • How to get the audience to care about your presentation; Issue #374 October 11, 2016

    In two of my customized workshops recently, participants asked how they can keep the audience engaged during the presentation. This is not the first time this question has been asked. I think every presenter wants their audience to pay attention to what they are saying. Today I want to suggest how you can do this.…… Continue reading