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.

  • Axis or data labels; Issue #346 September 15, 2015

    On a graph that uses a measurement axis, like column, bar, and line graphs, one question that comes up is how the graph should be labelled. The default is to have the axis only. In my workshops I often show how data labels can help the audience more than the axis. One thing you don’t…… Continue reading

  • Avoiding “Are we there yet?”; Issue #345 September 1, 2015

    In a recent workshop, the participants asked how to deal with something that often puts them on edge early in their presentation. In their presentations to senior management, they found that the executives interrupt them with questions after only a few minutes. This often disrupts the flow of what they wanted to say and takes… Continue reading

  • Data visualization in business; Issue #344 August 18, 2015

    In the last 18-24 months I have been following the data visualization industry to learn more about creating visuals that communicate the key messages from analysis. I have learned a lot, and figured out how to use PowerPoint and Excel graphs to create some of the visuals. I created the Calculators for Visuals to help… Continue reading

  • Ignore the advice to only use images; Issue #343 August 4, 2015

    A couple of articles I read in the last two weeks have advocated removing data and text from slides in favor of pictures. The author says that research shows that pictures are more effective at communicating your message, so just use pictures. This advice is consistent with other articles I have seen in the past… Continue reading

  • Limiting the # of slides doesn’t work; Issue #342 July 21, 2015

    In almost every workshop I deliver, we have to discuss the request from executives to limit the number of slides their staff uses to present. The executives commonly ask that no more than five slides be used when presenting to the management team. In this article I want to explore why this request is made,… Continue reading

  • Dealing with requests for spreadsheet slides; Issue #341 July 7, 2015

            Often in the corporate presentations I analyze for my workshops, I encounter spreadsheets copied onto the slide. It usually results in far too many numbers being on the slide, and leads to the audience being overwhelmed by detail. It is not uncommon when I suggest alternative visuals, I get the response… Continue reading

  • What top leaders do when requesting staff to create a presentation

    Merge Gupta-Sunderji asked me write an article for leaders on “When asking your staff to prepare slides for you, which type of leader are you?” In the article I explain what typical leaders do and what top performing leaders do when requesting slides from their staff. Typical leaders waste a lot of their staff and… Continue reading

  • Showing trends as lines, not clustered columns; Slide Makeover #82

    Use a line graph instead of a clustered column graph to show trends Continue reading

  • Making text look better; Issue #340 June 23, 2015

    Three options for grouping text in shapes instead of bullets and sub-bullets Continue reading

  • New book: Select Effective Visuals; Issue #339 June 9, 2015

    In this issue I let my subscribers know about my latest book, Select Effective Visuals: The Business Professional’s Guide to Selecting & Creating Effective Presentation Visuals. Learn more about the book and get your copy here. Continue reading