How to write about data

Coffee time

I've had a few conversations this week with people trying to communicate their data activities better, so let's take a look at today's newspaper and see what we can learn.

That's interesting. Starbucks has a reputation for bland coffee so I get that.

That also makes sense, 5 x 66 = 330 which is not far from 325.

Look, here's a chart!

That's different. Now I see that Pret is way more than even Costa. And Costa is three times Starbucks, whereas it was five times a moment ago.

Let's check the labelling more closely.

Various drinks? So we're not comparing like with like any more. Now we're comparing to Coke and Red Bull.

By the way, who knew that Diet Coke had more caffeine than regular Coke or Coke Zero?

Now we have a load of text with all sorts of comparisons and coffee types, a couple of which were in the chart.

I think we are to learn that the differences in caffeine levels vary between retailers and coffee types, but I'm a bit lost now.

Now it turns out that the difference is not just in the retailer's blend (and let's not forget that many coffee shops offer all kinds of variants) but also which bean variety is used.

Finally, we learn that none of this really matters anyway, unless you are pregnant or sensitive to caffeine.

Let's summarise:

• High impact headline;

• Pretty graphic with inconsistent data;

• A jumble of words and numbers;

• Some sort of explanation; and

• Conclusion that for most people, it's broadly irrelevant.

As a reader of this email, you may be feeling a little smug about how a journalist, and obviously not a data person, has done so badly.

But think again.

Which of you is getting to communicate to millions of people through one of the world's most famous newspapers?

Let's revise my summary:

• High impact headline - which is interesting to your audience;

• A clear graphic which tells a story;

• Some words to explain things for those who don't like diagrams or charts; and

• A conclusion with next steps for those impacted.

Try that next time you have to report on your data, and let me know how you get on.

Come and meet me - in person or online

• Tuesday 7 February I'll be at TINtech London Market. If you're attending, let's meet up - hit reply and let me know.

• Thursday 23 February - Insurance Data Governance Get Together - this one is in person only in London EC3. Practitioners should register here and vendors interested in sponsorship should hit reply and email me.

• Wednesday 22 March - Online event - Data and the CRO. I'll be chatting with some Chief Risk Officers to discuss the interactions between data teams and risk teams. Register here.

• Thursday 10 May - IRM UK's Master Data Management and Data Governance Conference Europe. I'll be there on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th, with my session - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - What to do When Data Governance Has Been Binned.

Are there any other events that you think I should attend or be speaking at? Let me know!

The Datazed of Data Governance training course

A reminder about my upcoming Datazed of Data Governance training course.

There are plenty of courses out there that will teach you about Data Governance, but they generally focus on theory, and some will help you with implementation skills.

Similarly, there are some one or two day courses out there which give you lots of information, then you are back at work and buried in the day job.

What I want to do is to train and advise you over several weeks. We'll go all the way from what you do when you start in the role, through to understanding your aims and objectives; delivering them; and then looking how you can develop your function/team and ultimately advance personally and professionally.

Of course we'll also cover the Data Governance theory as well.

I want to do this across a series (probably eight) sessions online, with interactive discussion. For the ones you can't make, recordings will be available.

Finally, there'll be a group set up for each cohort to connect during and beyond the course.

Interested? Click below to join the priority list.

Have a wonderful week,Charles