When it comes to workforce transformation and employee experience, the way you present employee survey data can make or break the impact of your insights. Gone are the days when a simple recitation of numbers and percentages could captivate an audience.
Today, the key to unlocking the full potential of your employee listening data lies in the art of storytelling. That shift reflects a broader trend in business communication, where narrative-driven presentations are increasingly valued for their ability to engage, persuade, and inspire action. Drawing on insights gathered from our work here at Perceptyx, we'll guide you through how to effectively harness storytelling techniques to present your survey data in a way that resonates and drives meaningful change.
The Power of Narrative in Data Presentation
Storytelling isn't just a buzzword; it's a fundamental human way of processing information. When we wrap data in a narrative, we tap into cognitive processes that make information more memorable and actionable. This approach aligns with how our brains are wired to understand and retain information. Stories create emotional connections, making abstract data more concrete and relatable.
Good Charts author Scott Berinato, in an insightful video on data storytelling, breaks down the essence of a story into three core elements: setup, conflict, and resolution. This simple yet powerful structure can transform dry data points into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience. Let's explore each element in the context of survey data:
- Setup: This is where you establish the context. What was the purpose of the survey? What was the organizational climate when it was conducted?
- Conflict: Here, you present the key findings, especially those that challenge assumptions or reveal areas of concern. What unexpected trends emerged? Where are the gaps between the current state and desired outcomes?
- Resolution: This is where you propose solutions based on the data. What actions can be taken to address the issues uncovered? How might these changes positively impact the organization?
By framing your data within this narrative structure, you create a journey for your audience, taking them from understanding to insight to action.
Finding the Story in Your Survey Data
Faced with a sea of survey responses, how do you extract a coherent narrative? Start by asking three key questions:
- What's going well?
- Where can we improve?
- How has the employee experience changed over time?
Consider these ideas as you form the backbone of your narrative, helping to identify the setup (current state), conflict (areas for improvement), and potential resolutions (action plans). But don't stop there. Dig deeper into each area:
- For "What's going well?", look for unexpected successes or areas of significant improvement. These positive findings can provide valuable insights into what's working and should be replicated.
- When exploring "Where can we improve?", don't just focus on the lowest scores. Look for discrepancies between different departments or demographic groups, or areas where scores have declined over time.
- To understand how employee experience has changed, compare data across survey periods. Look for trends, sudden shifts, or areas of consistent challenge or success.
Storyboarding: A Strategic Approach to Data Narratives
One innovative approach to data storytelling is storyboarding, a technique borrowed from the world of film and animation. This method involves identifying 3-5 strategic business challenges your organization faces and using them as focal points for your data narrative. These might include retention issues, new hire experiences, diversity and inclusion efforts, or employee engagement challenges specific to your industry or organization.
For each challenge, brainstorm questions that your survey data might answer. For example:
- How does the experience of employees who left differ from those who stayed?
- What drives engagement for new hires versus long-term employees?
- Do underrepresented groups have significantly different experiences?
- How do employee perceptions align with our company values?
- What impact have recent organizational changes had on employee sentiment?
- What is happening externally that is — or isn’t — happening here (for example, intent to stay improves industry-wide, but not in the organization)?
By focusing on these strategic questions, you transform your presentation from a data dump into a targeted exploration of your organization's most pressing issues. This approach not only makes your presentation more engaging but also ensures that your insights are directly relevant to key business objectives.
To implement storyboarding effectively:
- Start with a blank canvas: Use a whiteboard, large sheets of paper, or a wireframing app (e.g., Figma) to visually map out your narrative.
- Identify key scenes: These are the major points or insights from your data that you want to highlight.
- Arrange in a logical flow: Organize your "scenes" to create a coherent narrative arc.
- Add supporting details: Include relevant data points, anecdotes, or visualizations that support each key scene.
- Review and refine: Step back and assess your storyboard. Does it tell a compelling story? Are there gaps that need to be filled?
Connecting the Dots Across the Employee Lifecycle
Another powerful storytelling technique involves connecting insights across various touchpoints in the employee lifecycle. Instead of presenting siloed data from engagement surveys, onboarding feedback, and exit interviews, weave these insights together into a cohesive narrative that tells the full story of the employee journey within your organization.
For instance, one Perceptyx customer discovered that growth and development was not just a driver of engagement, but also a key factor in attraction and retention. By connecting the dots between various data sets and listening events, they crafted a compelling story about the critical role of career development in their talent strategy. This holistic approach revealed:
- Candidates were attracted to the company's reputation for professional development opportunities.
- New hires expressed high enthusiasm for learning and growth in onboarding surveys.
- Engagement surveys showed that employees who reported good development opportunities were more engaged and productive.
- Exit interviews revealed that lack of career progression was a top reason for voluntary turnover.
By presenting these insights as a connected narrative rather than isolated data points, the organization was able to make a powerful case for investing in career development programs.
To effectively connect insights across the employee lifecycle:
- Map out the moments that matter: Identify all the points where you collect employee feedback, from recruitment to exit.
- Look for common themes: What are the issues or topics that consistently appear across different lifecycle stages?
- Identify contradictions: Where does data from different touchpoints seem to conflict? These can often lead to interesting insights.
- Track changes over time: How do employee perceptions and experiences evolve throughout their tenure?
- Consider external factors: How do changes in the organization or your broader industry impact the employee experience at different stages?
Crafting Your Data Narrative
When building your story, remember these key elements:
- Identify your audience: Tailor your narrative to the needs and interests of your listeners. What keeps them up at night? What decisions do they need to make? For example, a presentation to the C-suite might focus on how employee sentiment impacts business outcomes, while a presentation to line managers might emphasize actionable insights for team leadership.
- Set the stage: Provide context for your data. What's the current situation? What led to this survey? Consider including:
- Relevant industry trends or benchmarks
- Recent organizational changes or initiatives
- Goals or expectations set for the survey
- Highlight the conflict: What surprising or concerning trends did you uncover? What problems need addressing? Don't shy away from presenting challenging findings — these often lead to the most valuable discussions and actions.
- Propose a resolution: Based on the data, what actions can be taken? What might the future look like if these actions are implemented? Be specific and realistic in your recommendations. Consider presenting multiple scenarios or options when appropriate.
- Use visuals wisely: Enhance your story with clear, purposeful data visualizations. Remember, less is often more when it comes to charts and graphs. Some tips for effective data visualization:
- Choose the right type of chart for your data (e.g., bar charts for comparisons, line charts for trends over time).
- Use color strategically to highlight key points or group related data.
- Avoid cluttered visuals — simplify where possible.
- Ensure your visuals are accessible to all audience members, including those with color blindness.
- Craft narrative-driven headers for slides or other media used to present this data to leadership: Instead of using traditional, generic section titles like "Strengths" and "Opportunities," weave your narrative into your headers. This approach helps capture your audience's attention and creates a more cohesive story throughout your presentation. Examples of narrative-driven headers include:
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- "Building on Our Foundations: Where We Excel"
- "Bridging the Gap: Our Path to Improvement"
- "Charting Our Course: Strategic Next Steps"
These narrative headers not only signpost the content of each section but also contribute to your overall story. They give your audience a preview of the journey you're taking them on and help maintain engagement throughout the presentation. When crafting narrative headers:
- Ensure they align with your overall narrative arc.
- Use language that resonates with your specific audience.
- Keep them concise but descriptive.
- Consider using a consistent structure or theme across your headers for cohesion.
Emotional Engagement: The Secret Sauce of Storytelling
While data provides the backbone of your story, emotion gives it life. Use real examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points. These human elements help your audience connect with the data on a personal level, making your insights more memorable and impactful.
For example, instead of simply stating that 30% of employees feel their work-life balance has worsened, share an anonymized quote from a survey respondent describing their struggle to manage work and family commitments. This personal touch transforms abstract numbers into relatable experiences.
However, always maintain ethical standards when using personal stories or examples. If using customer or employee stories, either withhold identifying information or ensure you have explicit permission to share. The goal is to humanize your data, not to breach confidentiality or trust.
Remember, people may forget the exact numbers you present, but they'll remember how your story made them feel. Strive to create an emotional connection that inspires action and change.
Putting It Into Practice
Mastering data storytelling takes practice. Try these strategies to hone your skills:
- Storyboard your next executive presentation: Identify the setup, conflict, and resolution. Practice this technique with past presentations to see how it might have improved your narrative.
- Start a story journal: Collect examples and anecdotes that bring data to life. These could be personal observations, news articles, or feedback from colleagues. Having a repository of stories will make it easier to find relevant examples when crafting your narratives.
- Engage in peer review: Share your presentations with colleagues and seek constructive feedback. Consider forming a "storytelling circle" where team members can practice and critique each other's data narratives in a supportive environment.
- Study great storytellers: Analyze presentations by renowned speakers or data storytellers. What techniques do they use to engage their audience? How do they structure their narratives?
- Experiment with different formats: Try presenting your data story in various ways – as a written report, a slide deck, a short video, or even an infographic. Different formats can help you see your data from new perspectives.
By transforming your survey data into compelling narratives, you not only make your insights more memorable but also increase the likelihood of driving real change within your organization. You're not just sharing information; you're crafting a vision of what could be and inspiring others to help make it a reality.
Don’t forget: The goal isn't just to present data, but to inspire action. With these storytelling techniques in your toolkit, you're well-positioned to turn your survey results into catalysts for meaningful organizational transformation.
Perceptyx: Your Data Storytelling Partner
While these techniques can significantly enhance your data presentations, crafting compelling narratives from complex survey data is no small feat. That's where Perceptyx comes in.
Our expertise ensures that you're not just sharing numbers, but presenting actionable insights that can drive real change in your organization. We offer:
- A purpose-built People Insights Platform that can help identify key trends and correlations in your employee sentiment data
- Workforce Transformation Consultants who can help you interpret your results and craft powerful narratives
- Customizable reporting options that allow you to present your data in the most impactful way for your audience
- Ongoing support to help you track the impact of your actions and refine your storytelling approach over time
Schedule a meeting with a member of our team to learn more.