Read time: 3 minutes

Have you ever presented a dashboard only to see blank stares or confusion from your audience? Chances are, the issue wasn’t your data—it was the words you used to narrate it.

Here’s the problem: technical jargon creates confusion, not clarity.

When you describe your dashboards with words like "filters," "heat maps," or "sparklines," your audience tunes out. They don’t see or hear the business impact behind the charts—they see and hear complexity.

But when you shift to business-focused language, something changes...

Your audience engages, connects, and understands how your insights impact outcomes.

Let’s explore how to make the shift from technical speak to business speak.

Here is a dashboard:

DON'T talk like this

Here’s how most people describe dashboards like this:

Why it doesn’t work:

• It focuses on tools instead of outcomes.
• It forces stakeholders to do the mental work of connecting insights to business value.
• It disengages listeners who aren’t familiar with the technical details.

DO talk like this

Now, let’s reframe the same dashboard with business-focused language:

Why it works:

• It starts with a business goal (“boost Q4 revenue”).
• It highlights the questions your data answers.
• It connects the data to actions that impact results.

This language helps your audience focus on why the insights matter instead of getting bogged down in how the data was visualized.

Why Business Speak works

When you narrate dashboards with business terms, you:
1. Help your audience immediately see the value of your insights.
2. Build trust by framing your data in terms of impact, not complexity.
3. Inspire action by showing how the data drives decisions.

How to talk Business Speak

✔ Start with the business goal. Frame your narrative around the objective your data supports. “Our goal is to improve Q4 sales efficiency.”

✔ Highlight the questions your data answers. Translate charts into actionable insights. “This chart shows regional trends so we can identify growth opportunities.”

✔ Connect insights to specific outcomes. Explain what the data means for your audience. “Product 4’s success in Q3 shows that targeted promotions are worth expanding.”

Key Takeaway

Your words matter as much as your charts. When you replace technical jargon with business-focused language, you transform dashboards into powerful tools for decision-making.

Note: If you're ready to elevate your data storytelling skills and turn dashboards into decision-driving narratives, check out our online courses and tools. We offer expert-led courses designed to help you translate data into clear, impactful stories that resonate with stakeholders.

Join thousands of business professionals who have mastered the art of data storytelling and consistently deliver insights that inspire action.

Thanks for reading! See you next Tuesday.