Bring Data to Life with Storytelling, Featuring Katie Taylor, CEO of Untold Content

Thoughtful Software Podcast

This episode is all about storytelling and data. By itself, data is just numbers. However, if presented as a story the impact is far-reaching on how it shapes the content we consume. To become a visionary Technology leader, storytelling is key to bring clarity in a noisy world.
Show Notes:

• Humans are wired for story
• Data + story equals a more compelling narrative which could lead to more adoption
  • The right data in the right graph can be transformative
• The key to effective data visualization is sharing impact stories
• The tools you use to create the visuals depend on the audience
• How CIOs and CTOs can reduce data silos to better effectively tell stories
  • It's all about alignment within the organization
• How to help your team adopt a storytelling approach
• Spinning a story is never effective in the long run.
  • Take the disaster of Theranos for example. The stories we tell must always be true.
• One of the critical challenges of our time is how we handle disinformation, misinformation, and alternative facts accepted as truth
  • We can't shy away from sharing truth assuming the average person wouldn't understand.
• Advice for businesses to incorporate storytelling:
  • Think of your client first
  • Empower your team with stories
  • Pour time into professional development for you and your team

References:

• Color Genomics
• Untold Content Data Storytelling Training
• Tableau
• Theranos
• Katie's Podcast - the Untold Stories of Innovation Podcast

Thanks for listening! What did you think about this episode? Drop us a comment and let us know how we're doing.
Check out the Insights page for a library full of thoughtful articles.
About our Guest:
Kathryn (Katie) Trauth Taylor, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Untold Content. Upon receiving her Ph.D. in Rhetoric & Writing from Purdue University with an emphasis in Professional and Technical Writing, Dr. Taylor founded Untold as a writing consultancy devoted to empowering thought-leading organizations in communications and storytelling. Dr. Taylor and our team at Untold Content have crafted content strategies for several national initiatives, including the VA National Homeless Programs Office, VA Women’s Health Program Office, the Medication Reconciliation initiative, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation's global evaluation brief effort. Dr. Taylor serves and trains clients across sectors to accelerate their thought leadership and create research-backed, impactful content. Her own writing has appeared in several news outlets, trade publications, and peer-reviewed journals in business, medicine, science, communications, and rhetoric.