How to give your data soul and transform insights into engaging narratives
Published CMC
There is an inherent need for data-informed decision-making. The reality is that poor data literacy is considered one of the second-biggest internal roadblocks to the success of the Chief Data Officer Office, according to Gartner. Data should enable all decision-makers in the business, and straightforward interpretation should allow everyone to easily see correlations and patterns in the data. If we seek the human in our data, should our data not talk to us like humans? We can reach better conclusions if we take the guesswork out of the interpretation. Too often, data becomes a “left brain” language model, and what if we could construct data that allows all stakeholders to get excited by introducing a bit of the “right brain” creativity? We all learn differently, and our goal is to ensure that everyone can learn from the data, considering our different ways of assumption.
Imagine if your data could express emotions, speak, and engage in meaningful conversations – this is the magic of “You-Man” behaviour applied to your data.
In this blog, we’ll dive into reimagining data using “You-Man” behaviour and explore how to give your data a soul, turning it into relatable stories that captivate audiences.
Understanding “You-Man” behaviour: Breathing life into your data
In essence, You-Man behaviour is about treating data as a living entity with emotions, thoughts, and actions. Like humans, data can express joy when trends are positive, concern when encountering challenges, and excitement when making breakthroughs. By attributing human-like traits to data, we tap into a new dimension of communication that transcends mere numbers and graphs. Let’s make the peaks and troughs less intimidating and give them a friendly tone.
The power of Anthropomorphism in data interpretation
Anthropomorphism (Big WORD) means adding human characteristics to non-human entities. It is pivotal in reimagining data. Personifying data becomes relatable and engaging, fostering a stronger connection between insights and understanding. Visualising data with facial expressions, body language, and even virtual personalities breathes life into charts and graphs, making them more than just visuals – they become companions in your data journey. Imagine infusing characters that tell their story in your data! It is the perfect playground for geeks and creatives!
Crafting data narratives: How to give your data soul?
Data on its own might seem dry and uninspiring. However, by infusing the principles of storytelling, you can create data narratives that resonate with your audience by applying hero’s journeys (Something we are obsessed with at Carmen Murray Communications). Every data point becomes a character in a larger story – a hero overcoming challenges or a protagonist on a journey toward success. Through careful crafting, you can build tension, reveal insights, and provide resolutions that captivate your audience’s attention. Nothing wrong with a bit of theatrics to move internal behaviour to the action!
Interactive data conversations: Engaging your audience
Imagine having a conversation with your data. With You-Man behaviour, this becomes a reality. You can simulate dialogues between humans and data through interactive scenarios, where questions lead to insights and discoveries. This approach makes data exploration a dynamic and engaging experience, as if you’re conversing with a knowledgeable friend who shares their wisdom in an approachable manner.
Giving data a soul: How to get started
If we give our data a soul, we can better connect to our customers challenges. It is all about consciousness.
- Embrace empathy: Understand the emotions your data might convey based on trends and outcomes.
- Visual expression: Enrich data visualisation with facial expressions, body language, graphical cues, and perhaps some humour.
- Narrative craftsmanship: Develop narratives that give data a purpose, journey, and resolution.
- Interactive engagement: Design scenarios where data and users interact in meaningful conversations.
This is how we can serve our internal teams to meet the needs of our customers by truly giving data a soul.
Conclusion: Your Data, reimagined
In a world flooded with data and suffering from data obesity, standing out and making an impact is challenging. Reimagining data using You-Man behaviour offers a fresh perspective that transforms data from mere numbers into compelling narratives. By giving your data a soul, you can allow all stakeholders to connect with your audience on a human level, unlocking new insights and fostering a deeper understanding of your information.
Intrigued by the idea of infusing humanity into data? Dive into the world of You-Man behaviour and embark on a journey where data speaks, engages, empathises, and evolves you. Transform your data into captivating stories and witness the power of giving your data a soul.
Reach out if you are interested in our courses or wish to borrow our brains!