The Power of Visual Data. Why and How to Use Data Visualization

In today's data-driven business environment, how you present your insights is just as crucial as the data itself. While spreadsheets and text reports serve their purpose, visual representations can transform complex business information into clear, actionable insights. This guide demonstrates seven key ways that data visualization can enhance your business communications, with practical examples that you can adapt for your own presentations and reports.

Each example below shows both a traditional text-based presentation and its visual counterpart, highlighting why visuals can be more effective for different business communication goals. From showing sales trends to illustrating customer journey maps, these examples demonstrate how thoughtful visualization choices can make your data more engaging, memorable, and impactful.

1. Showing Trends
STEM retention rates increased from 75% in 2020 to 82% in 2023, while Arts remained stable around 70% and Business showed moderate improvement from 76% to 79%.
2. Comparing Categories
STEM Programs:82%
Arts Programs:70%
Business Programs:79%
Healthcare Programs:85%
3. Showing Relationships
Students who engage in more advising hours show higher retention rates, with a clear positive correlation from 2 hours (65%) to 8 hours (92%).
4. Summarizing Data
Program Distribution: STEM (35%), Business (25%), Arts (20%), Healthcare (15%), Other (5%)
5. Engaging Dashboard
Overall Retention
85%
↑ 3%
First-Year
82%
↑ 2%
Transfer
78%
On Target
6. Process Flow
Early Identification
Advisor Outreach
Support Services
Regular Check-ins
Measure Outcomes
7. Universal Understanding
85%
0% Target: 100%

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