Data Viz Today

In this episode, I’m joined by Bill Shander to talk about how to hold your own in stakeholder discussions in dataviz projects, even if you’re just starting out. He shares practical techniques from his new book Stakeholder Whispering, including how to build credibility, ask better questions, and stay grounded when opinions fly. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in a stakeholder meeting, this one’s for you. Let’s go! Show notes: https://dataviztoday.com/shownotes/98

In this episode, I’m joined by Avery Smith to talk about how to actually land a data job right now without getting ghosted by resume bots. He shares his SPN method: Skills, Portfolio, Networking. We get into how to build just enough skills, why personal projects matter way more than you think, and how to reach out without being weird. If you’re job hunting (or might be soon), this one’s for you. Show notes: https://dataviztoday.com/shownotes/97

In this episode, I’m trying out a brand-new game called Next Question to help you sharpen your data storytelling skills by exploring the kinds of clarifying questions experts ask when facing challenges. I’m joined by Kat Greenbrook, author of The Data Storyteller’s Handbook, and together we tackle real-world scenarios and share what questions we’d ask to steer data storytelling projects in the right direction. Show notes Grab a copy of my book Chart Spark

Discover the transformative power of creativity in data visualization. The speaker shares personal stories, including a relatable 'trash can story,' that highlight the journey from a narrow career path to a vibrant creative practice. Explore the four distinct levels of creativity and learn how to cultivate a thriving creative mindset, while balancing professional goals with personal challenges. This engaging narrative inspires listeners to embrace new opportunities for a fulfilling career in dataviz.

Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, a data storytelling expert, shares how to overcome presentation nerves for impactful data presentations. Topics include harnessing nervous energy, self-recording for improvement, and managing anxiety. Practical tips and book recommendations provided.

Shri Khalpada, a Principal Software Engineer at Cleaning the Glass, shares insights on leveraging sports analytics for a standout dataviz portfolio. Topics include navigating data cleaning challenges in NBA analytics, visualizing sports analytics for career success, and using heat maps and color coding in visualization. Learn how to enhance your portfolio with sports analytics!

Are you ready to write a book? Or maybe see it in your future down the road? Well, I spent hours and hours researching the book publishing process, spoke with tons of authors about their experience, and then lived through it myself. I want to save you some time and share what I learned. Recently I shared all about the process with the Elevate Dataviz Learning Community that I co-founded and I’m sharing that conversation here today… In this episode, I share what's included in a book proposal, how advances and royalties work, what was harder and easier than expected, and much more!! Grab my new book Chart Spark (available in paperback, kindle, PDF, or audioboook): https://www.chartsparkbook.com Hop on our sponsor Data Elixir's awesome newsletter: https://dataelixir.com  

Have you ever felt like you made a big career mistake? Like you completely chose the wrong college major or took the wrong job. Well, today we’re chatting with Charama Sulemane, a data analyst at the United Nations Office for Project Services. But only a few years ago, he was a fresh graduate in Mozambique and found out that no one was hiring for data science jobs in his area. He was questioning his decision to get into this field. But not ready to give up, Charama made a few smart moves that landed him his first job in dataviz. Let's go! Sponsor: Subscribe to the Data Elixir newsletter! Show notes: https://dataviztoday.com/shownotes/92 My book Chart Spark: https://www.chartsparkbook.com

Data Viz Today, hosted by Alli Torban, is a friendly and insightful podcast for anyone interested in data visualization. It offers practical advice, showcases the latest tools and methods, and features inspiring stories from the field, aimed at analysts, journalists, and designers seeking to refine their data viz skills. Show notes: https://dataviztoday.com Chart Spark book: https://www.chartsparkbook.com Elevate Dataviz Learning Community: https://www.elevatedataviz.com Follow Alli Torban on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisontorban

In this episode, I answer some common questions I’ve received lately about creativity, freelancing, dataviz process, and more. Let’s go! What platforms would you join when on the look out for a network, freelance projects etc? I want to transition into a dataviz job but not sure where to start? What exactly do you mean by 'creativity' in the context of data and analytics? How can data people be creative? How do you respond to negative feedback of your creative idea? What do you do when you feel unmotivated? How do you handle the feeling of not living up to a client's expectations? I want to be creative and do my best work, but it's a lot of pressure! I feel like I'm stuck in my own bubble when it comes to being inspired. How do I branch out What is a common mistake people make when brainstorming or ideating? How do I know if my graphic is effective or if I should try to be more creative? I’m confused when to keep pushing or if it’s good enough. Show notes: https://dataviztoday.com/shownotes/91