The Present Beyond Measure Show: Data Storytelling, Presentation & Visualization for Data Practitioners

Lea Pica | Data Storytelling Advocate, Speaker + Educator

Your one-stop shop for essential data storytelling, data visualization and presentation skills for data analysts, digital marketers, data science and other practitioners. With regular original content and luminary guest appearances from Nancy Duarte, Rand Fishkin, Alberto Cairo, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, Jim Sterne, Dustin Mathews, Garr Reynolds and more. This is the toolset you need to present your data, inform business decisions, inspire action, and become INDISPENSABLE.

  • 1 hour 21 minutes
    How AI is Changing the Data Communication Landscape with Richie Cotton

    This episode is about harnessing the power of storytelling in your presentations and how AI is changing the data communication landscape. You’ll get a special two-in-one episode as our host Lea Pica, and guest, Richie Cotton, interview one another for their respective podcasts!


    Join them as they explore how to construct compelling data-driven stories, the impact that AI is having on data visualization, and the skills and data literacy practitioners will need to stay competitive in the current market.


    You’ll also get a sneak peek at the contents of Lea’s new book Present Beyond Measure: Design, Visualize, and Deliver Data Stories That Inspire Action!


    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES 


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    • How to create a compelling narrative around your data.
    • Key tips for keeping your audience’s attention (and recapturing their focus).
    • How to use generative AI to support your workflow, ethically and responsibly.
    • Why you should be able to summarize the throughline of your presentation in a single sentence.


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned

    19 September 2024, 3:21 pm
  • 54 minutes 38 seconds
    Advanced Data Visualizations, Charts, and Graphs with Jon Schwabish

    Ever wonder what chart horizons lie beyond the basic bar, pie, or line graph? Jon Schwabish returns to the show to give us a tour of advanced chart options that can work well for business data storytelling and a few exotic graphs that are simply a fascinating and novel way to view data!

    Jon is an economist at the Urban Institute in Washington, DC. In addition to his research on programs that support low-income communities, he is a writer, teacher, and creator of policy-relevant data visualizations. He is considered a leading voice for clarity and accessibility and how researchers communicate their analyses.

    Jon is also the author of Better Presentations, Elevate the Debate, and Data Visualizations in Excel, and today's episode samples charts from his most excellent read, Better Data Visualizations.

    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES 


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    • The pros and cons of Excel, Tableau, Datawrapper, Flourish, Power BI, and R for data visualizations. 
    • Why a bee swarm chart is one of Jon’s favorites.
    • The advantages of a waffle chart over a pie chart. 
    • The importance of asking for feedback on a graph or chart you have created.


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned

    6 April 2023, 12:00 pm
  • 58 minutes 9 seconds
    Google Data Studio Dashboard Do’s and Don'ts with Michele Kiss

    What makes a stellar Google Data Studio dashboard? Michele Kiss has the answer. She is a recognised digital analytics leader, with expertise across web, mobile, and marketing analytics. She is a Senior Partner at Analytics Demystified, where she works with clients on analysis, training, and process, to help them draw insight from their digital data.

    Google Data Studio is Michele’s go-to tool, and after hearing about its interactive nature, the visualization options it provides, and the way in which it allows one to craft captivating data stories with relative ease, it’s not hard to understand why!

    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES 


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    • The multitude of benefits of using Google Data Studio.
    • The different ways in which Google Data Studio dashboards can be optimized.
    • How to make the most of the interactive nature of Data Studio.
    • Her favorite places for finding Google Data Studio templates and best practices.
    • Why Michele opts for more presentation slides with less information on each slide when presenting data.
    • Michele’s favorite Data Studio data visualization strategies.
    • The difference between the Data Studio dashboards and Data Studio reports.
    • Why simplification is key when it comes to data presentations and how to do it. 


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned

    9 March 2023, 1:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 57 seconds
    Best Audience Engagement Techniques to Boost Boring Business Presentations

    This episode showcases another top-secret book snippet where I am sharing my top techniques and secrets for getting a business presentation audience to stay engaged, entertained, and enthused about your analytics and marketing insights.

    I share the two most important questions I ask myself from my audience's perspective before presenting, and three cinematic data storytelling techniques you can use to create suspense, anticipation, and rapt attention.

    It's a top-secret snippet from my upcoming book, The Ultimate Story-Driven Data Bible! Click here to get on the book waitlist to get exclusive updates, goodies, and more.

    14 February 2023, 1:00 pm
  • 1 hour 13 minutes
    Data Literacy vs. Business Literacy with Jason Krantz

    Jason Krantz is a LinkedIn data superstar on a mission to help data practitioners kick ass at their jobs using a widely underutilized tool in the analytics field: business literacy and personal growth.

    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES 


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    • What is business literacy and why it’s the key to data practitioner and organizational success.
    • A practitioner’s first steps for becoming more business literate.
    • How to describe what’s at stake in the data to identify opportunities
    • How to explain the stakes in the data in the language of the audience’s needs.
    • What to do when encountering objections and cognitive bias in stubborn stakeholders.
    • The processes for adopting the perspective of a CEO.
    • Consciously seeking out certain kinds of discomfort in order to grow.


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned


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    3 November 2022, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 9 seconds
    Kate Strachnyi on the Path from Data Analytics Practitioner to Respected Data Storyteller

    Today's guest is the one and only Kate Strachnyi, a meteorically rising star on the LinkedIn data circuit and appointed a LinkedIn Top Voice of Data Science & Analytics in 2018 & 2019.

    We discover the mission behind her data media company, DATAcated, and her expert advice on how to overcome the greatest obstacles faced by data analysis practitioners and provide solutions for overcoming them, before delving into the topic of confirmation bias and how to sidestep it, and so much more! 

    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    • The greatest obstacles in data analysis and data storytelling for practitioners today.
    • Kate’s top tips for better data storytelling.
    • How to use data storytelling to incite emotionally-driven, yet data-justified decisions.
    • How to avoid your own and your audience's confirmation bias in guiding the story.


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned


    My free 30-second online assessment to find out the #1 silent killer of your data presentation success

    13 October 2022, 12:00 pm
  • 27 minutes 44 seconds
    The Vital Role of Narrative Arc in Business Data Storytelling

    Learn what the narrative arc is and how it can be used to supercharge your data storytelling presentation and impact.


    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    22 September 2022, 12:00 pm
  • 57 minutes 49 seconds
    Building a Bulletproof Digital Marketing Career Brand with Kenny Soto

    Today’s guest is Kenny Soto (the only Kenny Soto that comes up on Google!), who joins us to share how he transitioned from music student to successful freelance digital marketing consultant and brand creator.

    He discusses the importance of being able to explain data in a way that benefits the specific audience you are presenting to, how to present “bad news” to clients in a way that demonstrates your capabilities (and makes them want to rehire you), and more!


    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    • Why being comfortable with explaining (as opposed to just exploring) data is a valuable skill for a digital marketer.
    • The importance of differentiating between which data provides value to which people in your audience.
    • A new approach for presenting “bad news” to clients. 
    • How hosting a podcast can replace your resume.


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned


    My free 30-second online assessment to find out and overcome the #1 silent killer of your data presentation success.

    7 July 2022, 12:00 pm
  • 53 minutes 50 seconds
    How Comedian Dan Fraser uses Funny Business to Make Business Presentations Engaging

    Dan Fraser is a presentation maven. He takes hard lessons from over 20 years of building and delivering dynamic presentations in government and the private sector - and hands them to you on a silver platter.

    Dan uses his experience as a stand-up comedian to help instructors hone their ability to deliver unforgettable training. His book Kickass Presentations has just launched!

    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    ● How to use comedy to create more effective presentations for your audience!

    ● Components of a kickass presentation; engagement, memorability, emotion, and storytelling.

    ● A method for making messages stick, and the value of analogy.

    ● Humor in meetings; simple strategies for introducing laughter. 


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned

    ● Kickass Presentations

    ● Rory Vaden

    ● Manager Tools

    ● My free 30-second online assessment to find out the #1 silent killer of your data presentation success

    16 June 2022, 12:00 pm
  • 55 minutes 40 seconds
    Randy Krum on Why Most Charts Suck and More Deadly Data Viz Sins

    Randy Krum, data viz extraordinaire, talks about the tyranny of the visualization default, the differences between data visualizations for discovery and communication, and why we shouldn't always use colors on everything!

    He also talks about building on templates, the problems with numbers, and the scale of visual perception.

    To finish off, we get some insight into Randy’s three keys of good data viz; making your charts understandable, memorable, and actionable!

    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    • The real job of a data visualization designer.
    • Why most charts suck!
    • The value and power of data story arcs. 
    • Randy’s three keys to good data viz!


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned

    26 May 2022, 12:00 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Practical and Powerful Data Presentation Principles with Dr. Joe Perez

    Dr. Joe Perez is passionate about marrying the art and science of data presentation principles and how to close the gap between wanting to drive business decisions using data and actually doing so by viewing it as an asset to be invested in rather than a cost to be justified.

    We also touch on using data to build bridges rather than silos within your organization and Joe shares the three R’s of actionable data and his advice for always selecting the right data visualization tool for the job, plus so much more!

    >> VIEW SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn…

    • How to skillfully combine the art and science of data presentation principles.
    • Ways to close the gap between the desire to drive decisions using data and actually doing it!
    • The three R’s of actionable data: relevance, resonance, and responsibility.
    • Strategies for selecting the right data visualization tool for the job.


    People, Blogs, and Resources Mentioned


    My free 30-second online assessment to find out the #1 silent killer of your data presentation success

    28 April 2022, 12:00 pm
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