Data Dumps -- When Good People Make Bad Presentations

We've all suffered through data dump presentations. We sit in the audience, drowning in an ocean of facts and figures -- with not a drop of perspective or insight to be found.

Data dump presenters sincerely believe they're doing the right thing. Because they love data. I'm talking about people like engineers and accountants -- those among us who live, sleep, and breathe data. And you know what? Their love of data is sincere -- and very appropriate.

Would you ride on a airplane engineered by people who said, "Let's not waste time with a lot of calculations and structural testing. This fuel tank design just feels right to us."

Would you go into an IRS tax audit with an accountant who said, "Recheck the numbers? Why would I do that? My gut tells me this is all going to work out."

We need these wonderful people who love their data so much. We bet our lives on their being accurate, complete, and correct.

But when data dumpers speak, they do what comes naturally. And the results are often dreadful. What to do?

Tell them about The Data Dump Paradox. The data dump structure is most cruel to the people in your audience who care the most about your topic and your content.

It's as if the data dumper says, "I have the gift for you. It's the world's greatest laptop -- lightweight, brilliant screen, longest-battery life, coolest looking. There's only one catch. What you actually get is a box of 200 parts -- and no instructions. Good luck."

Data dumps happen because a commendable quality – the passionate love of facts and figures -- turns ugly when the end product is a presentation.

Comments

[Craig]

Thanks for the thoughts.
Question: What are the one or two things that you want to leave the audience with? That is what your entire speech needs to focus on. Too much data = lost audience!