As many of you know, data storytelling is one of the hottest non-technical trends in the tech-related space today. But, as you’ll learn in this Analytics on Fire episode, it doesn’t directly support data management because it focuses on analytics or telling stories with data. Today’s guest believes it’s time that we expand the realm of data storytelling to include the role of data management by telling stories about data!
Tuning in, you’ll hear from none other than the ‘Data Whisperer’ himself, Scott Taylor, a leading data consultant, sought-after keynote speaker, and the author of Telling Your Data Story: Data Storytelling for Data Management, a practical guide to the strategic value of data management, that focuses on the ‘why’, not the ‘how’. Scott shares some insights into his book and expands on some of the reasons why managing data is strategically important to your organization. If you’re a data leader who is struggling to demonstrate the value of your data management system, this is the episode for you! We hope you will tune in!
“Every enterprise has a data story to tell and it’s about why managing data is of strategic importance to the organization.” [0:04:48]
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This exciting season of AOF is sponsored by our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Accelerator 3-Day Live workshop. Our next workshop on Feb 22-24, 2021 is now open for registration at a special early bird rate! Consider upgrading to the VIP option for extras including access to our online course. Many BI teams are still struggling to deliver consistent, high-engaging analytics their users love. At the end of three days, you’ll leave with a clear BI delivery action plan. Register today!
3 Knowledge Bombs
- Scott on the importance of focusing on the ‘why’, not the ‘how’ - Everything you do in data should enable the strategic intention of your enterprise. Where is your company going? Why does data help them get there? As a data leader, you have to fill in the blanks.
- Scott on keeping it simple - If you were to summarize the intention, the purpose, and the reason why most enterprises are in business, it’s to deliver value to their relationships through their brands at scale. As a data leader, it’s your job to prove how data supports your organization in fulfilling this ‘why’.
- Scott on how data delivers value - When we talk about value, there are only three ways to deliver value; grow the business, improve the business, protect the business. At scale, that requires technology. If you have technology, you have data. If you have data, you need data management. It’s as simple as that!
In this episode, you'll learn:
- [04:30] - Why Scott believes that every enterprise has two kinds of data stories to tell and what they are
- [07:56] - Why he wrote Telling Your Data Story and how you can benefit from reading it.
- [11:20] - The difference between telling stories with data and telling stories about data.
- [12:07] - The importance of determining the truth in your data before deriving meaning from it.
- [13:23] - Who Scott’s book is for: data leaders who struggle to prove why data management is of strategic importance to their organizations.
- [15:00] - To support your business, focus on the ‘why’ of data management, not the ‘how’.
- [17:06] - Common why’s that Scott has seen and the value of keeping it simple.
- [19:36] - Some of the why’s that can help you get your business moving and motivated again.
- [23:40] - How to use simple analogies to keep your data narrative going.
- [28:06] - How to keep data stories relevant by utilizing the language of your organization.
- [29:51] - Techniques Scott teaches in the book and how to know which one is best for you.
- [33:43] - What it means when Scott says that everything you do in data needs to enable the strategic intention of your enterprise.
- [38:10] - Three steps to get started with data storytelling for data management and some of Scott’s favorite reads and resources.
- [42:21] - A bonus tip from Scott about knowing what you want from a conversation.
- Right-click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.
“Data without meaning is just a bunch of numbers. Analytics without data is wrong. These two things work together. We’re all storytellers. The story [is what is] going to get people’s attention.” [0:12:51]
Links and Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Check out his website: The Data Whisperer
- Get your copy of Scott’s book, Telling Your Data Story: Data Storytelling for Data Management
- Watch Scott’s hilarious ‘puppet service announcement’, Too Much Tech Talk!
- Scott's favorite books and resources: Infonomics: How to Monetize, Manage, and Measure Information as an Asset for Competitive Advantage by Doug Laney
- Win one of three free copies of Scott’s book by entering the raffle in our BI Data Storytelling Mastery Facebook Group!
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