A Note About How to Influence Business Leaders

Business schools write a lot of "case studies." I write a lot about data stories. A case study is a "thick" data point, an anecdote, chosen to illustrate an idea.

At the end of an analysis, I can measure how representative a case study is. I can also write a "most-probable-case study", or "archetype study" if you prefer. Or a set of them, to represent varied environments, markets, populations, et cetera.

Read case studies to understand how business leaders are taught. Write them to help business leaders learn, in the way they already know how to learn.

That is the business power of data storytelling.

Story Characters Before Analysis: a Data Story Mistake

I saw some advice on "How to Craft a Compelling Data Narrative," and it was - I'll call it misguided. It put story craft before data analysis. Specifically: "Characters: [examples including specific customer groups omitted] This doesn’t need to be part of your presentation, but you should define the key players for yourself beforehand." This will bias and weaken your analysis. It will make your story boring.

So let's talk about how to do better analysis, and tell a more powerful story.

The Temperature of the Sky

On a clear summer day a few years ago, with a newly acquired infrared thermometer prompting my inquisition, I pondered the difference between the air temperature and radiative temperatures around me outside. It was an 80 degree (Fahrenheit) day - by air temperature, and humidity was low - probably between 25% and 35%. Yes, it was dry.