Read time: 4 minutes
When everything looks important, nothing stands out.
Dashboards, reports, and presentations often overwhelm audiences with walls of numbers—forcing them to search for the insights that matter most.
But here’s the fix: Use big numbers strategically.
Big numbers cut through the noise and instantly tell your audience what they need to know. Instead of burying key insights in complex tables or dense slides, highlight them in a way that drives clarity, impact, and action.
1. Start with a number that matters.
Not all numbers deserve the spotlight—choose the ones that drive key decisions.
Example: Instead of listing all sales data, highlight $25M in QTD Sales—the most important takeaway.
2. Add a clear title for context.
Numbers without context are meaningless. Make sure your audience knows exactly what they’re looking at.
Example: Adding “QTD Sales” makes it clear that this number represents quarter-to-date sales.
3. Add comparison numbers for deeper insights.
A number by itself isn’t enough—show how it’s changed over time.
Example: Highlighting a $5M (25%) QoQ increase makes it clear that sales are trending up.
4. Add a chart to show the trend.
Data makes sense faster when it’s visual.
Example: A simple bar chart showing the last few quarters helps stakeholders see growth patterns instantly.
5. Add a color to connect the number to the chart.
Color isn’t just decoration—it directs attention.
Example: Making $25M blue and highlighting the same value in the chart helps create an immediate connection.
6. Add a summary explaining the ‘why.’
Numbers don’t speak for themselves—tell the story behind them.
Example: “By prioritizing high-value customers, our team drove stronger growth and higher conversions, fueling the surge in sales.”
Where to Apply Big Numbers
Big numbers don’t just work for dashboards, they belong anywhere you need to drive impact.
Slides → Deliver presentations focused on key takeaways.
Dashboards → Direct your audience to the most important insights.
Spreadsheets → Highlight critical metrics without drowning in data.
Key Takeaway
Your audience doesn’t need more data. They need clarity.
Use big numbers to make insights instantly clear, memorable, and actionable.
What’s one key number in your business that deserves more attention? Drop it in the comments!
Want to Master Data Storytelling?
If you’re ready to transform your dashboards, slides and reports into compelling narratives, check out Data Story Academy, where thousands of professionals are learning how to communicate insights with clarity and impact.
See you next Tuesday!
