Make Data Talk

In the third installment of her AI and data storytelling series, Dr. Selena Fisk explores how generative AI can enhance how we tell data stories and act on the data insights we find.   Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her monthly newsletter at selenafisk.com check out her other podcast, 'A Beautiful Mind'.

How do you measure your impact? Is the stats you produce and the KPIs you hit? Is it the culture you build? Is it the legacy you leave? In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk reflects on the remarkable impact coach Chris Fagan has had on the AFL premiership winning Brisbane Lions, and some key takeaways for measuring the impact of our own actions in our organisations. Connect with Selena: at https://www....

Do you need help uncovering the trends and insights in your data? Maybe you know what you're looking for but you just need to save some time. In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk talks through three ways AI and generative AI can help with this step in the data storytelling process - identifying the trends and insights.    Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her mo...

Have you got a grasp on your organisation's summary statistics or 'bird's eye view' data? What about the small day to day data? It's good to know and work with both! In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk takes you through her 'helicopter vs street' analogy and how looking at data from different views of your organisation can be beneficial to make positive change. Connect with Selena: at https://www.link...

As AI has become more and more ubiquitous, it was only a matter of time before we started seeing its benefits for data organisation.  In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk highlights a number of ways AI can be used to help with data organisation, from initial data literacy questions, right through to helping visualise data to assist with data storytelling.   Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin....

Our organisations collect so much data these days. But how often are we actually getting to the 'action' part of data storytelling?  In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk talks about finding ways to understand and use the data we already have, and how to take steps to actually act on it. Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her monthly newsletter at selenafisk.com c...

Do you sometimes feel unable to progress past data analysis and into action because you may be lacking a traditional evidence base to support your decision? In this episode, Dr. Selena Fisk explores the distinction between being evidence-based and evidence-informed and offers invaluable insights into making informed, impactful decisions even in the absence of a robust, traditional evidence base.  ...

When working with data in your organisations and work places, do you have a predecided set of 'data norms' to guide your approach? Do you need some help developing them? In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk outlines the importance of having a clear set of norms when working with data, and talks through her ideal list of data norms. Listen on for a detailed explanation of what each could look like for y...

When our teams are striving for a particular strategic direction, how do we keep ourselves and our team members informed, motivated and accountable? In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk talks about the utility of a compelling scorecard, and how these can be used to share progress, achievement and also ensure you're hitting the right markers for achieving your strategic goals.    Connect with Selena: at...

Do you struggle to build trust with your team when it comes to working with data? Whilst trust is important for leadership in general, it is particularly relevant when we're asking people to embrace a data and evidence-informed culture. In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk outlines ways to help build trust between employees and leaders when working with data to get the best from our teams.  

Do you struggle to choose the right way to present your data for maximum impact for your audience? Do you know the subtle differences between line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts and lollipop graphs and when to use each one depending on your data set? In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk talks about the different data visualisations you can use when presenting a data story or report, as well as some han...

Do you have access to lots of data but are unsure about what to do with it? In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk outlines how to use data storytelling in our day to day work, and ultimately how to reach data informed action. Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her monthly newsletter at selenafisk.com check out her other podcast, 'A Beautiful Mind'.

Just like a novel or short story, there is an art to telling a data story to an audience.  In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk explains how to tell a data story effectively and the key elements needed to ensure your story both resonates with an audience and inspires them to action.   Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her monthly newsletter at selenafisk.com che...

Do you know how much data your organisation is holding that just isn't necessary? And are you unsure what to do about it? This week, Dr Selena Fisk covers the topic of dead data, and in the wake of recent data breaches such as Optus and Medibank, explains just how important it is to deal with this issue before it comes to haunt you.    Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk...

Do you worry that you may have missed something big in your data? Or do you analyse data without a clear focus or hypothesis?  In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk explains the difference between exploratory versus explanatory analysis and the situations each should be used in.   Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her monthly newsletter at selenafisk.com check ou...

Do you know how to effectively communicate it to your stakeholders? Should you use percentages? Raw figures?  In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk talks about how the importance of making numbers meaningful for people in a way that is concrete and relevant for them and their context.    Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her monthly newsletter at selenafisk.com c...

Everyone has biases, right? Unfortunately that means they can also find their way into how we approach data analysis.  In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk talks about the differences between confirmation and self-serving baises, and gives you some strategies to help minimise their impact on the way you look at and analyse data. Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to...

Do you understand the true purpose of telling a data story to an audience; and how this differs from sharing endless information? In this week's episode, Dr Selena Fisk digs into the true aim of a data story, and outlines why many people get it wrong, and/or get frustrated when the audience isn't motivated to act on the information.  This episode was recorded at the beautiful Nitmiluk National Par...

Do all the employees in your organisation have access to the data they need to be effective in their roles?  In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk explains how to create an effective data democracy in your organisation, so that everyone has the means to analyse relevant data and tell effective data stories. Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her monthly newsletter...

Do you know which data you should be focussing on when telling your data story? And do you have a plan for how your data will be used and analysed? In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk explains how to choose the most relevant data for your particular story and the non-negotiables of a clear data plan for your employees to follow.  Connect with Selena: at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up...

We all want to have an impact in our work, and one of the ways of conceptualising this is through Selena's evidence versus action quadrant model. In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk discusses the four main categories that we sit in when it comes to evidence-informed practice: stasis, guess work, lost opportunity, or impact.  This episode helps unpack how we more often move into impact, and how we can...

Is 'data' akin to a swear word in your organisation? Do you face resistance when trying to be a data champion for your colleagues? Historically, data has gotten a pretty undeserved bad wrap in many organisations. In this episode Dr Selena Fisk outlines why that might be the case and takes you through five ways you can solve data's "PR problem" in your organisation. Connect with Selena: at https://...

Have you ever embarked on a project or change in your organisation, only to find you struggle to measure your success because you didn't collect enough baseline data at the beginning? In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk outlines why collecting qualitative baseline data to measure your impact is so important, and shares ideas for how to go about it. Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/s...

Do you have issues with validity and reliability of your data? Do your staff express concerns with either one, and do you know the difference? If you aren't sure of the difference, it's pretty hard to establish ways to fix the problem. In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk unpacks the differences between validity and reliability and shares some tips to improve both, so that you can build trust in the da...

Do you struggle to write good survey questions? Or do you get annoyed at the questions you're asked in a survey? In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk outlines some tips and tricks for writing good survey questions to ensure that we don't have rubbish coming in, and rubbish going out!  Connect with Selena: at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/ sign up to her monthly newsletter at selenafisk.com che...