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Boss told me my reports were 'all data no story' - changed how I write everything now
I got that feedback about six months ago. My weekly analytics reports were just numbers and charts. No context. No takeaway. She said 'I don't know what to do with this.' So I started adding one sentence at the top. A summary of what the numbers actually mean. Then one sentence at the bottom with a suggested next step. Took 5 extra minutes per report. Now my VP actually reads them and asks follow up questions. Anyone else get feedback that forced you to rework your whole process?
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betty_kelly918d ago
Oh man, that top-and-bottom trick is gold. Here's a thing I haven't seen anyone mention yet - maybe try reversing the order sometimes. Put the suggested next step first, then explain what the numbers are saying. I've found some people need to know what to do before they can process the data behind it. Just an idea, take it or leave it.
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milarodriguez18d ago
Funny you mention that, my buddy Dave runs a crew doing commercial flat roofs and he had this new kid who just could not read blueprints to save his life. Dave would pull up the plans, point at measurements and specs, and the kid's eyes would glaze over. Finally Dave just started saying "okay, we need to cut this section 4 inches shorter, here's why on the drawing" and suddenly the kid was getting it done perfect every time. Now Dave does the action-first thing with all his new hires, shows them what to do then walks them through the numbers behind it. He says it cuts his training time in half.
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angela_harris18d ago
YES! That action-first thing is exactly what I've seen work. I used to volunteer teaching basic construction skills at a community center and we had this one guy who couldn't grasp measurements at all. So I just started saying "cut this board right here where my finger is" and then showed him the tape measure mark after. Something about seeing the physical action first just clicked for him. It's like some brains need to see the finished move before they can decode the map to get there.
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