The document is a transcript from a video podcast that provides lessons on effectively presenting trends in related series of data. It summarizes the key lessons as: write a headline that conveys the underlying story behind the numbers; stacked column graphs make trends difficult to see but line graphs make trends easier to identify; and using text labels near the data is clearer than a separate legend. The podcast advocates showing an example of effectively transforming a stacked column graph into a line graph to better illustrate trends in pump replacement needs over time.

1. Slide Makeover
Video Podcast #78:
Showing trends in related series
of data
Based on the ideas in
“Present It So They Get It”
by Dave Paradi
www.PresentItSoTheyGetIt.com

2. In my work with groups of
presenters, I am seeing more
examples of data being presented
this way …

3. Pump age by capacity
100
90
80
70
60
5 gal
50
2 gal
40
1 gal
30
0.5 gal
20
10
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo 24-36 mo
>36 mo

4. The presenter is trying to show the
trend of pump age for each
capacity of pump. Since the time
periods are the same, the
presenter figures that a stacked
column chart will work.
It won’t.

5. Pump age by capacity
100
90
It 80hard to see a trend
is
when the segment
70
starts in a different spot
in60 stacked column
each
5 gal
50
2 gal
40
1 gal
30
0.5 gal
20
10
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo 24-36 mo
>36 mo

6. Pump age by capacity
100
90
It takes a lot of work to
80
figure out the height of a
segment when the
70
segments above and
60
below keep changing size
50
5 gal
2 gal
40
1 gal
30
0.5 gal
20
10
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo 24-36 mo
>36 mo

7. Pump age by capacity
The legend makes it
difficult to interpret the
graph because you have to
go back and forth multiple
times to understand it
100
90
80
70
60
5 gal
50
2 gal
40
1 gal
30
0.5 gal
20
10
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo 24-36 mo
>36 mo

8. The key to figuring out a better
visual is to go back to the message
of the slide.
The key word is “trend.” Whenever
you want to show a trend, use a
line graph. It is much easier for the
audience to figure out.
Like this …

9. Need to plan for replacement of many
2 gal pumps in next 12 months
50
45
2 gal
Number of pumps
40
35
30
1 gal
25
20
0.5 gal
15
10
5
5 gal
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo
Pump age
24-36 mo
>36 mo

10. Need to plan for replacement of many
2 gal pumps in next 12 months
It is easy to determine
which line is which
pump capacity with
color coded labels
instead of a legend
50
45
Number of pumps
40
35
30
2 gal
1 gal
25
20
0.5 gal
15
10
5
5 gal
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo
Pump age
24-36 mo
>36 mo

11. Need to plan for replacement of many
2 gal pumps in next 12 months
50
45
Number of pumps
40
35
In any of the time
periods, it is now much
easier to compare the
values for each pump
capacity
2 gal
30
1 gal
25
20
0.5 gal
15
10
5
5 gal
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo
Pump age
24-36 mo
>36 mo

12. Need to plan for replacement of many
2 gal pumps in next 12 months
50
45
Number of pumps
40
It is also much easier to
see the trend of any
individual line
2 gal
35
30
1 gal
25
20
0.5 gal
15
10
5
5 gal
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo
Pump age
24-36 mo
>36 mo

13. Need to plan for replacement of many
2 gal pumps in next 12 months
50
45
Number of pumps
40
35
Clearly, we haven’t
been buying many 2 gal
pumps recently and
most of those we have
are older
2 gal
30
1 gal
25
20
0.5 gal
15
10
5
5 gal
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo
Pump age
24-36 mo
>36 mo

14. Need to plan for replacement of many
2 gal pumps in next 12 months
50
45
Number of pumps
40
35
30
2 gal
This observation leads
to a better headline
for the slide.
1 gal
25
20
0.5 gal
15
10
5
5 gal
0
< 6 mo
6-12 mo
12-24 mo
Pump age
24-36 mo
>36 mo

15. What lessons can we learn about
showing trends in related series of
data?

16. Lesson #1:
Write a headline that tells the story
behind the numbers. Numbers
only measure an underlying story.
The audience needs to know the
story.

17. Lesson #2:
Trends are hard to see in stacked
column graphs. The segments
start in different positions in each
column and the interpretation is
influenced by the segments above
and below.

18. Lesson #3:
Show trends with line graphs. Line
graphs make it much easier for
audiences to see a trend.

19. Lesson #4:
Use text labels instead of legends
on graphs. A label placed close to
the data is easier to understand
than having to go back and forth
between the graph and a legend.

20. Quick recap:
Before
After
Lessons:
1. Write a headline that tells the story behind the numbers
2. Trends are hard to see in stacked column graphs
3. Show trends with line graphs
4. Use text labels instead of legends on graphs
More makeovers available at www.SlideMakeoverVideos.com

21. If you would like me to help
your team create presentations
that have a clear message with
focused content and effective
visuals, get in touch:
P: 905-510-4911
E: Dave@ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com
W: www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com