Stakeholders often miss key insights that can be provided by data to drive action forward, due to the way the data is presented and communicated to them. My guest today believes that data storytelling is key to resolving this common pain point. Kam Lee is a BI Data Storytelling Mastery alumn and graduate who has used our framework to surface over $100M for the fintech company he works with!
Kam is the Chief Data Scientist at his company, Finetooth Analytics (specializing in marketing analytics), and has worked with top marketers like Russell Brunson from Clickfunnels! Our data masterclass with Kam today delves deep into how he used our BI Data Storytelling Methodology and framework to straddle data engineering, data science, and storytelling. Kam shares game-changing concepts from the course and how he has used them to connect to stakeholders, influence their actions, and overcome what he calls ‘emotional responses’ to data. Be sure to tune in to this knowledge bomb-filled episode!
“If you work in the startup world, you are oftentimes working on multiple projects at once, [and] spread thin, and using the wrong language definitely made our decision-making not smart.” [16:56]
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3 Knowledge Bombs
- Kam on understanding the WHW method: Understand the questions to ask to better grasp what stakeholders are hoping to understand. Understand how to stress test these concepts to know whether they are KPIs, trends, or actions. This will help lead stakeholders toward accomplishing their goal.
- Kam on translating analysis to recommendation: Being able to identify the key variables from a universe of data that will make a contribution to the bottom line today versus tomorrow, and their impact for the future.
- Kam on using emotion to drive cohesion and simplicity for the challenge being solved: Emotion and simplicity are powerful tools in the data storyteller’s toolset for conveying clear messages and making them impactful as well.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- [06:47] - Kam’s love of analytics and journey from photography and painting into data science.
- [09:45] - How Kam found out about the BI Data Storytelling Accelerator and why he joined.
- [12:20] - Three buckets Kam uses to organize the data storytelling process.
- [14:56] - The challenge of dealing with stakeholders who respond emotionally to data.
- [15:40] - Getting stakeholders to respond to data more rationally using simpler storytelling.
- [20:00] - Kam’s opinion on who should take the BI Data Storytelling Accelerator.
- [22:56] - How Kam took the lessons from the accelerator and applied them to his organization.
- [24:31] - Kam’s experience of working with stakeholders to fine-tune data definitions during his workshops.
- [26:48] - Whether to start with storytelling or the analytics data dictionary first.
- [28:19] - The difference between KPIs, trends, and actions.
- [32:23] - Three concepts BIDS students should understand and implement after taking the course.
- [35:29] - One piece of advice Kam would give his younger self about the value of curiosity.
- [37:11] - The people who most inspire Kam.
- [38:16] - A book recommendation from Kam and his thoughts on connecting to stakeholders.
- [41:45] - The best way to connect with Kam and learn about the course he is offering.
- [43:03] - One tool that Kam is obsessed with right now and why he loves it.
- Right-click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.
"The industry likes to harp on about companies being data-driven; collect this, collect that, but not in a simplified way, which is what I was able to do [w/ the BIDS Framework].” [30:35]
Links and Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Connect with Kam Lee via Linkedin
- Check out Kams' company: Finetooth Analytics:
- Kam's Fav Books & Resources!
- Fav Book to read — Selling Solutions
- Fav online white board tool for his storyboard workshops — Miro
- Check out Mico's WHW Method Session at MIT
- BIZ Brains Resources: Link Needed
- Sign up for the next BI Data Storytelling Accelerator!
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