The other day, one of my clients had a question about how to turn numbers into a financial story.
I wanted to share it with you too in case you have similar questions.
How to tell your compelling financial story in six easy steps
Step 1
Summarize the situation
Set the scene. Let your audience know what your aim is at the beginning of the story to establish context for everything that follows.
Step 2
Describe the specific opportunities or challenges that make it important to act
Use financial data to support the opening statements. Simple illustrative charts and other data visualizations will lend clarity and credibility to the points you’re making
Step 3
Outline the risks or consequences of NOT taking action
Predictive models from machine learning come in handy here, providing numbers to back up your claims.
Step 4
Communicate recommendations clearly and candidly, substantiated with data
This is where numbers get their time to shine. Using data and analysis, you can prove the value of your recommendations.
Step 5
Plainly outline the specific actions for the company to take
If your opening hooks the audience but the next steps are not clear, you’ll lose your listeners. Clear and specific recommendations of what’s next will eliminate confusion and push decision making forward.
Step 6
End with data and analysis that supports the benefits of following your recommendations
If you’ve taken your audience on a meaningful journey throughout your tale, they’ll see how you arrived at your conclusions and why you’re recommending certain courses of action and more readily jump on board with your proposed plans.