Follow Bill Linkedin Twitter Facebook
Email Bill Email
Marketing & Sales
Dec 7, 2018

Data is More Useful with Visualization

Sponsored Content provided by Bill Hunter - President & Creative Director, Wilmington Design Company

Many people will admit to losing focus as they skim through lengthy text in books, articles and emails, then needing to read it several more times again to fully comprehend what is being said.
 
However, just because forgetting is a human phenomenon, it doesn't mean you should simply accept it.

 
Across the board, we are able to retain 80 percent of what we see, as opposed to 20 percent of what we read. Recent studies at MIT have shown that humans can process images and visual messages in as little as 13 milliseconds, a.k.a. 13/1000ths of a second!
 
In order to help our team and our clients better understand the complexities of vast data, we strive to present information in an attractive and visually appealing way.
 
It’s been said that data is nothing without visualization, which is why we’re highlighting the benefits of data visualization:

  • Create operational efficiencies
  • Increase productivity and profit
  • Unveil untapped markets
  • Create a layer of accountability
Data visualization is a general term that describes an effort to help people understand the significance of data by placing it in a visual context. Patterns, trends and correlations that might go undetected in text-based data can be exposed and recognized easier.
 

 
This visual way of reporting on data is the best way to communicate insights derived from data analysis. In today’s business landscape, it’s more important than ever to make data-backed decisions, yet many of us lack the skills needed to extract actionable insights from raw data.
 
As you think about your business’s data visualization efforts, ask yourself: Are we communicating our data in a uniquely visual way?
 
Or are you resorting to Excel’s “Insert Chart” function? Take a step back and think about how you can approach your data in a unique way. Consider setting aside time to brainstorm about the best approach and investing in more thoughtful design.
 
Is our current approach to sharing our data visually difficult to understand?
 
Can your audience tell what you’re actually trying to say? You might have to shake up the status quo by approaching your data visualization in an entirely new and unprecedented way to break through the confusion.
 
At the end of the day, are we telling a compelling story?
 
Are you showing an increase in a key performance indicator (KPI) over time, what does that really mean for your client? Don’t get lost in the numbers themselves. Ensure that your visualization incorporates the big picture and the decisions made along the way that triggered specific outcomes in the data.
 
For example, if you work with a client for social media strategy and pivoted to emphasize video content one month, find a way to tell that story as you present the content’s performance data.
 
Is our data specific to our client’s goals?
 
You can create visuals for a seemingly infinite amount of data, thanks to countless monitoring and reporting platforms. But if the data you’re analyzing isn’t specific to your client’s goals, then it will do nothing but add clutter to an increasingly distracted world. Home in on the specific data that matters to the conversation with your client.
 
The sheer amount of data and raw information that is readily available today is astonishing. Thanks to incredible advancements in technology, we can harvest data to improve our businesses and client relationships drastically. Shake things up by thinking twice about design and watch the benefits from data visualization dramatically change your business for the better.
 
Curious about where to begin? We’re happy to help! Let’s chat and get started.

Like this article? Check out more just like it at wilmingtondesignco.com.

At WDC, we believe honest business and innovative design go hand-in-hand. Our talented team of designers, marketers, and developers are as diverse as their work. We offer a range of services from creative web design and development to digital marketing strategies and branding solutions tailored specifically to your business. Contact Bill at [email protected] or visit www.wilmingtondesignco.com.

Other Posts from Bill Hunter

Wdc 300x250 growyourbusiness
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign12 101824110415

The Key to Reliable Security: Working with a Professional Monitoring Station

Luke Wheeler - Holmes Security
Chris 16239425

E31: Adam Shay, CPA - How I Built and Sold My CPA Firm

Chris Capone - Capone & Associates
Mcwhorter 0005

We Are Now in the Entrepreneur Economy

Heather McWhorter - UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Trending News

Tech Wilmington: Upcoming Events Calendar

Staff Reports - Feb 12, 2025

Pet Pampering Options Grow

Samantha Kupiainen - Feb 12, 2025

Small Business Spotlight: Bookstore Fans Romantasy Flame

Staff Reports - Feb 12, 2025

Publix Confirms Upcoming Leland Store

Staff Reports - Feb 12, 2025

OPINION: Seeing Green: A Case For Community Collaboration On Parks And Green Space

Luke Waddell - Feb 12, 2025

In The Current Issue

Small Business Spotlight: Bookstore Fans Romantasy Flame

"I think people want something that is far from reality to escape to, a story they can be fully immersed in, fall in love with characters, c...


Officials Count Film Dollars, Challenges

The growth of Wilmington’s film industry since the 1980s, when Dino De Laurentiis built his studio here, has not been steady or even predict...


Soundoff: Chamber Plays A Pivotal Role In Health Care Workforce Effort

"The decision to engage with partners in the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership is not only an opportunity but also a strategic imper...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season