Data is essential for crafting winning strategies and making impactful decisions. But without a compelling story, numbers alone fail to inspire action. Poor data communication can mislead, confuse, or even lead to disastrous business decisions. On the other hand, mastering the art of data-led storytelling can engage, inspire, and motivate your audience to take action.
In this session, we’ll explore what it means to be an effective data storyteller—one who transforms numbers into clear, impactful narratives that drive understanding and action.
You’ll learn the key principles of data storytelling, from designing clear and effective visualizations to avoiding common charting mistakes that distort insights. I’ll share real-world examples of both great and poor data communication, breaking down what works—and what doesn’t. Whether you’re presenting insights in a spreadsheet, a dashboard, or a live meeting, this session will teach you practical techniques for crafting engaging, memorable, and trustworthy data-led stories that make an impact.
What you’ll learn:
- What is data storytelling, and why is it important / valuable?
- How can poor data communication lead to confusion, misinterpretation, or even decisions that can kill a business?
- What are the key principles of clear and effective data visualization?
- What are common mistakes in charts and graphs that make data misleading or hard to read?
- What storytelling techniques can make data presentations more engaging and memorable?
Stephen Tracy is a seasoned executive, data scientist, teacher and coach. With more than 13 years of experience, Stephen has built award-winning teams and businesses at big corporates and start-ups. His career has taken him far and wide, from leading data strategy at global ad agencies like Publicis and McCann, to managing globally distributed teams at research firms like YouGov. Stephen also has a strong passion for teaching. When he is not speaking at conferences or giving guest lectures at universities, you can find him teaching online. Over the years, he has built several best-selling courses on topics related to data analytics and market research.