Influencing with Data: Visual Analytics & Storytelling
Storytelling through Data: Influence Decision Makers with Visual Analytics that Inspire Action.
In today’s data-driven world, the ability to communicate effectively through compelling graphs and visual stories is a skill that transcends disciplines and professions. This 1-day program is designed to enable you to bring data and ideas to life, allowing you to create a significant visual impact for any audience. By focusing on simplicity, you’ll learn the foundations of effective visualization, compelling data-driven narratives, and presentation best practices.
Throughout the program, you will gain a deep understanding of how to distill complex data into clear, engaging visualizations that enhance your broader story. These skills are crucial regardless of whether you work in a technical or non-technical field, as effective communication is a key differentiator to professional and career growth.
Key components of the program include:
- Foundations of Effective Visualization: Learn the principles of design and data visualization that make graphs and charts not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to understand. You’ll explore various types of visualizations and understand when and how to use them to best convey your message.
- Compelling Data-Driven Narratives: Discover how to turn raw data into a story that resonates with your audience. You’ll learn techniques for creating narratives that highlight key insights and drive your point home, making the data more relatable and impactful.
- Presentation Best Practices:Â Enhance your presentation skills by learning best practices for delivering your visual stories. This includes tips on structuring your presentation, engaging the audience, and using visual aids effectively to support your message.
Participants will work on a project of their choosing, allowing you to apply the concepts and techniques learned to a real-world scenario. This hands-on experience ensures that you leave the program with marked progress on the project and improved confidence to excel in your next presentation. Whether you need to present to stakeholders, clients, or colleagues, you’ll be equipped with the skills to make data speak volumes.
Interested in a preview of the course at no cost to you? Register for Wake Executive Insights: Influencing with Data to learn more.
Course Details
Course Fee:
The cost of the program is $995 and includes materials, continental breakfast and lunch, and is due in full at time of registration.
Wake Forest University alumni, faculty, and staff receive a 25% tuition discount. If multiple participants are interested in attending from your organization, please contact us for multi-attendee discount information. Please contact executivewake@wfu.edu for more details.
- Format: In Person
- Cost: $995
- Program Length: 1-day program
- Registration Deadline: March 5, 2026
Key Learnings
Additional Information
This program is designed for individuals who communicate within an organizational setting, regardless of their role, level, or industry. If you need to use numbers and graphs or deliver presentations, this program is for you.
Please note that this program does not cover exploratory data analysis or creating dashboards. Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of Excel, including the use of pivot tables and charts for simple data analysis.
To ensure you are prepared, resources to refresh Excel skills will be provided in advance. It is recommended that you practice these functions prior to the live workshop. Course content can be applied in any graphing/presentation software.
Sample Schedule: 8:00am- 4:15pm
- 8:00– 8:20 Continental Breakfast
- 8:20 – 8:30 Introductions and program overview
- 8:30 – 10:15 Session 1 – Understanding your audience and crafting your message
- 10:15 – 10:30 Break
- 10:30 – 12:00 Session 2 – Story development and practice
- 12:00 – 12:45 Lunch
- 12:45 – 2:15 Session 3 – Visuals: graphs, slides, images
- 2:15 – 2:30 Break
- 2:30 – 4:00 Session 4 – Applying what you’ve learned
- 4:00 – 4:15 Review and group discussion
Participants should bring a topic or idea, specifically, something you will need to present on in a professional capacity. The more familiar you are with the topic the more impactful the course will be for you. Pick a topic/project you can openly discuss—although you’re welcome to genericize as needed. Computers are not required, although will be helpful to have in class for practice. Course content can be applied in any graphing/presentation software.
Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of Excel, including the use of pivot tables and charts for simple data analysis.
Program Cancellation
This course is offered contingent upon sufficient enrollment. If a course must be cancelled, all registered participants will be notified at least five (5) calendar days before the course’s start date. All registered participants will receive a 100% tuition refund. No fees will be charged for cancelled courses.
Individual Cancellation – Refund Policy
Prospective participants who withdraw at least 10 days prior to the start of a course will receive a full refund of tuition paid.
For more information, or to speak with a program adviser, please send an email to executivewake@wfu.edu
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