As mentioned earlier, I have met Garr Reynolds of presentation zen fame in Malmo, Sweden last Friday. What was to be a quick 15 minute interview became a 2 hour lengthy discussion on presentations, charting, excel, data, Japanese culture and of course our pointy haired dilbert blog. Garr liked my site alot that he tweeted about it immediately.
I am only posting portions of the interview here.
Q: Powerpoint and presentations are great way to communicate. But most of the time we deal with raw data and numbers. How to present such complex and diverse information without cluttering?
A: There are two types of people (1) the quantitative folks and (2) the design folks. For too long we had just these 2 types of people, one who can program, create great stuff and the other who are really good at designing fantastic things. But now, more than ever, the need is to combine both skills in one person.
One of things that I observe in my university MBA students (and most others too) is that, when it comes to presenting data (either through charts or tables), people go too fast. They just show one piece of information after another without spending time to discuss. Data doesn’t mean anything until we choose to talk about it.
I always recommend my students to have a lengthy Q&A where the facts are dissected and stories are brought out. We should always approach the charts (and data) with “yes this is what it is, but what does it mean? Anyone can make a chart, only intelligent can poke it”
Q: What are the raw (formatting) tips you can give to my readers? People always wonder about things like what color should I use, should I use grid lines or labels? Should I use several colors or shades of one color? Which font should I use?
A: Those are lot of questions [chuckles…]
My mantra is “maximum effect with minimum means”. That is what Tufte or Stephen Few says.
So, grid lines, often we don’t need those as they are implied. If you use them, I say use a very light color.
As far as choosing color, if it is a bright building or room, then a white background works. If it is a darker room we can use a black background.
Colors, as few as possible. These are the common mistakes that I see. I think using different shades of same color works well. You need to realize that lot of people are color blind, so it is safer to use shades of blue or gray than using lot of colors. There are really no hard and fast rules for colors. Don’t just spend too much time on the graph. Yes, it should be aesthetically pleasing, but the more important thing is you and what you want to say.
Q: Your opinion on dealing with situations where there is lot of data?
A: As you can see, most of my charts are very simple. But often we need to deal with lots of data. I am big fan of tables (as long as they are not too lengthy). I also recommend using handouts. If you have lots of data, it is better to take a printout or send the files so your audience can read the data, understand what it means and then you can have a discussion with them.
I recommend reading this article on NY Times about Steve Ballmer’s new meeting style where he says (quote inserted by Chandoo)
[Ballmer] … most meetings nowadays, you send me the materials and I read them in advance. And I can come in and say: “I’ve got the following four questions. Please don’t present the deck.” That lets us go, whether they’ve organized it that way or not, to the recommendation. And if I have questions about the long and winding road and the data and the supporting evidence, I can ask them. But it gives us greater focus.
Thank you Garr for the wonderful interview.
(that is me with Garr on the right side, excuse the poor quality of the image, but we are using webcam on my Toshiba Satellite A300)
But, the most interesting part of this is, actually meeting him and discussing openly about charting, visualizations. We discussed alot about the kind of mistakes people make when creating charts (he *loved* the article 6 charts you will see in hell and the new chart doctor series we announced). We discussed about his new book – presentation zen design.
There is another exciting thing that I am not announcing now, but you will soon know.
Read our earlier interviews with John Walkenbach | Charley Kyd
29 Responses to “You are invited [personal]”
Dear Sir,
This is to just Wish the kids a Happy birthday in Advance.May Almighty bless them all strength,Success
Dear Chandoo,
My best wishes to your child.I had become regular visitor of your site and finally today it made me to post a comment...
Best wishes from my end! Dont think it would be possible to personally come .. but my best wishes would always be there!! 🙂
Chandoo, thank you for the kind invitation. I wish a special birthday day for your daughters, Nishanth & Nakshatra. Will you be serving "dudh pakh"?
-bill
What a kind thought to invite us!
I pray your family will be continually blessed.
Thank you very much for the invitation, how I wish Philippines is just a Jeepney ride away from India. Best wishes for your baby girls and more blessings to come.
Hi Chandoo,
Thanks for the invitation ! You treat everyone that comes to your site as part of your family community. Me and my family wishes Nishanth & Nakshatra a very very happy birthday !!
Though physically we cant be with you to celebrate the occasion, you know our blessing are with you !
To be a father is not easy, furthermore you have to be a father to 2 kids !
Francis
Dad of 2 and 9 year old.
Hi Chandoo,
It was very kind of you to invite us all along to the 'Extravaganza'. Like others that have commented here I too, am to far (Australia) to pop over for a piece of cake 🙂 Best wishes to you and your family on such a milestone.
Emma
(soon to be mum of 1!!!)
Dear Chandoo
God bless Nishanth & Nakshatra. Wishing you and your family a very enjoyable first birthday party.
(Father of a 9 month baby... wondering how you manage 2 !!! )
God bless the little ones. Have a blast.
Hi Chandoo
Happy birthday !
Indeed children are a blessing and make our lives much more deeper.
Wow! I wonder how that would look; all those Excel users partying with your cute kids!
Enjoy the festivities and remember; they grow up really fast.
Dear Chandoo,
Thanks for your invitation!
Please accept my wishes for Nishanth & Nakshatra, and a very very happy birthday to both of them.
(Father of a 1 year old baby)
Hi Chandoo,
Thanks for the invitation. Wishing Nishanth and Nakshatra a very happy birthday and God bless all of you!
Howdy Chandoo,
Gosh, would love to attend the birthday party for your little blessings but I live in Dallas, TX. The children are beautiful. Thank you so much for the Excel information, tips, hints, special formulas, etc., you and your children are really a blessing. I look forward to your e-mails and check your web site frequently. Regards, Lynn
Chandoo Garu,
Your kids look adorable. Congratulations. My Aashirwaadam to both of them.
Regards,
Kalyan Verma
@all: Thank you every one for the wishes, blessings and prayers. We are very excited and busy with the birthday preps now. I will share a pic or two when its over... 🙂
Wish you and your entire family all the blessings. May god provide your babies with all the love and charm in the entire universe.
Like Emma I am rather far away (South Africa), but best wishes to you and your family on this special occasion.
(Mother of 7 and grandmother of 5)
Dear Chandoo,
May God Bless your little ones with Good Health... Happy birthday to them from me... Wish i could be there but work doesn't permit me to travel 🙁
And thanks again for treating all of us like your family
Rajatha
Sir.
God bless the two little angels with all the happiness in the world.....
Wishing Nishanth and Nakshatra a very happy first birthday. My youngest has just turned 18, and I wish you and your family every happiness in the exciting journey ahead.
Hi Chandoo,
I'm reading your blog for more than a year now, and i'm very pleased by this invitation.
I wish a very special Happy Birthday to the 2 little ones from Mauritius Island.
If, for any reason, you are coming on the island in the future, feel free to drop me a mail.
Have a nice party, and a nice year to come with Nishanth and Nakshatra.
Happy birthday!
Your babies are beautiful!
This year is not possible for us to attend. My family will be there for your next family party.
Enjoy the cake and dinner
May God Bless your little ones with Good Health… Happy birthday to them from me....I am also the father my little daughter named akanksha, she is 2.5 yrs old,,,,but i am unemployed 2 yrs ,,i know when u become a dad u r many hopes.
Guru
My belated wishes for your kids... I feel sorry for having missed them to wish to the right time.... May almighty shower all his blessings on your family.....
With regards
Chandoo,
Congratulations. Please give you children a big Happy Birthday (one day late) from me. Enjoy, they grow up very fast
Gene
@all.. thanks for the wishes and blessings. We had a fantastic weekend with all the relatives, friends. Kids loved the cake, enjoyed the beach and had fun playing with gifts. Here are some photos..
Chandoo & family - greetings from Ireland, hope you enjoyed the day!