what’s missing is the STORY
Your team already has the data,
The teams we work with aren't short on analysis. They're drowning in dashboards, busy decks, and endless reports. The issue isn’t technical. It’s communication: knowing how to turn that work into something leadership can understand and act on.
Our workshops teach exactly that—the storytelling with data process™ from our best-selling books—using real examples from your organization. Attendees walk away with the steps to go forward, hands-on experience to build confidence, concrete examples to reference, and tips to overcome their unique challenges.
Choose your focus
Does your team need a data storytelling foundation, or ways to partner with AI to improve their data stories?
DATA STORYTELLING TRACK
storytelling with data workshop
2-, 4- and 8-HOURS: IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL
Transform how your team thinks about communicating with data. In this highly interactive session, attendees will storyboard, critique real-world examples, and redesign their own charts and slides. Everyone walks away with a thorough understanding of our proven storytelling process—and the skills to go from busy slides to inspiring stories that drive conversations about action.
NEW! AI TRACK
enhance with AI workshop
3-HOURS: IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL
Our newest workshop teaches your team how to use AI as a practical tool for better data storytelling. When paired with human judgement, AI can strengthen messaging and design, accelerate iteration, and improve the quality of what your team creates. Attendees leave with a repeatable approach for partnering with AI throughout the data storytelling process.
Hear from teams we’ve worked with
Thank you so much for your hugely successful presentation. EVERYONE loved it, was inspired by it, and is revved up to put it into practice.
This was the most beneficial training I can remember attending in a I don’t know how long. I can apply learnings immediately, and their approach today was key—I never got bored or restless.
The way you presented the content, using examples, was crucial for a full understanding. You made a very complicated subject (communication) seem so simple!
All types of data. From a variety of industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can attend a session?
We find that for both in-person and virtual sessions, 20–30 participants works best. Our workshops are priced accordingly. If you have a smaller group, we encourage you to invite additional colleagues to ensure discussion is robust (bonus: when more people across the organization have an understanding of what effective data communication looks like, it's easier to drive the change that you seek!). While we recommend up to 30 attendees, larger groups can be accommodated; please reach out to us to discuss.
How do virtual and in-person sessions differ?
The ideal learning environment is when people are together in the same physical space. There are tangible benefits to being able to talk directly to other participants, the instructors, and to having a shared experience without the distractions of our devices. If you’re debating the format, we recommend bringing people together in person. That said, virtual allows individuals on distributed teams to attend from their preferred locations, gives everyone an equal opportunity to participate, and lends a feeling of personal instruction—like instructors are speaking directly to each attendee. Our virtual workshops are engaging and interactive, second only to in-person storytelling with data sessions.
Do you allow hybrid training sessions?
We optimize our workshops to account for the setting, be it in-person or virtual. We do not support in-person and virtual attendees in a single session.
What if my team is small?
If you're part of a small team or would like a few colleagues to learn from us, check out our Public Workshops for individuals.
What tools do you use?
We’re tool-agnostic. Outside of using Zoom for virtual sessions, we emphasize low-tech approaches to build the foundational thinking behind effective data communication. Our view is that there is no magical tool—some better and worse depending on the use-case—so learning the art and process will allow teams to excel regardless of their tech stack.
Who teaches the team workshops?
All sessions are instructed by SWD data storytellers. They have all worked with data throughout their varied careers, and have been trained to expertly deliver workshops by SWD CEO, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic. In-person workshops at your location are led by one or two data storytellers; virtual workshops are co-facilitated remotely by two data storytellers. Meet the entire team and see videos of them in action here.