Use a column with two dashed lines to compare a value to two standards
Category: Latest Information
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.
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
Makeover Monday Challenge April 10 2017
Use an index line graph instead of a dual axis chart to compare trends in different data series.
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…
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…
Shapes on arrow sequence diagram; Issue #384 March 7, 2017
Use a “shapes on an arrow” diagram to show steps in a process
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…
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…
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…