I continue to be surprised by the apparent need to throw these kinds of statistics together. Does anyone still need to be convinced that the communications landscape has changed fundamentally and permanently? Apparently, yes.

…an interpretation, a different way to look at and think about data that often exposes complex patterns or correlations.

Data visualization is a way to make sense of the ever-increasing stream of information with which we’re bombarded and provides a creative antidote to the “analysis paralysis” that can result from the burden of processing such a large volume of information.

I like that definition, but there are other comments Maria makes that rub me the wrong way. Like Stephen Few, I disagree with the idea that data visualization has nothing to do with charts and graphs, and I’m mystified by the notion that it’s only marginally related to infographics.

While the business world is full of examples of tortured charts and incomprehensible infographics, there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with old fashioned charts and graphs. You could argue that very few business people use them effectively, but the tools aren’t at fault.

Popova goes on to say that data visualization is “only marginally related to ‘infographics,’ information design that tends to be about objectivity and clarification.” I won’t argue about the definition of the term “infographics,” but successful data visualization has everything to do with objectivity and clarification. It may be more closely aligned with providing new perspectives and ways to glean new insights from data, but if a visualization fails to tell its story clearly, it’s a failure.*

Nitpicks aside, I’m glad to see that data visualization is getting attention in the mainstream business press, and I adored the last paragraph of the article.

Ultimately, data visualization is more than complex software or the prettying up of spreadsheets. It’s not innovation for the sake of innovation. It’s about the most ancient of social rituals: storytelling. It’s about telling the story locked in the data differently, more engagingly, in a way that draws us in, makes our eyes open a little wider and our jaw drop ever so slightly. And as we process it, it can sometimes change our perspective altogether.

Unlock the data. Paint a picture in my mind. Tell me a story.

1. * That’s assuming we agree that the point of data visualization is to uncover and expose new meaning. there are many visualizations that are created purely for aesthetic purposes, but I’d argue that those visualizations are not successful at exposing complex patterns or correlations. But they look nice.

Previously:

• Version 1
• Version 2
• Version 3

Source: Ruder Finn

PR firm Ruder Finn recently announced the Ruder Finn Intent Index, a new study of online behavior. The data is interesting and and the graphics are snazzy, but I was underwhelmed by the data point they led with in the press release.

More than 4 in 5 people (80%) go online to socialize, which is twice as many as those who go online to shop or do business.

Surprise! People like to socialize more than shop. Surely it isn’t news that people don’t think of the Internet as a giant shopping mall.

Once you get to the actual charts, the results are interesting and it’s refreshing to see data about how people pass time* online.

These items struck me.

• 21% want to influence people’s opinions and 11% use a blog to raise their profile
• 9% go online to be someone different and 5% create a secret or anonymous identity

I would have expected the former to be greater and the latter to be less. Fascinating.

1. * 100% go online to pass time.

I’m sure that the people who post lawyer jokes on the Internet would be amused that Google finds 666 thousand results. There are plenty of people who think lawyers are evil, but in the world of corporate communications, lawyers are a fact of life. And you know what? I don’t have a problem with that.*

But apparently a lot of my peers do. I often hear complaints about having to send documents through legal review. They take forever! There are always so many changes! They don’t understand what we’re trying to do!

In my experience, corporate lawyers and communicators have very similar goals. The corporate general counsel wants to protect the company from legal risk and corporate communications wants to protect the company’s reputation. Bottom line, you both want what’s best for the company.

When you put yourself into an adversarial relationship with your legal advisers, you shouldn’t be surprised when they’re… adversarial. And if you find yourself dealing with the same legal issues time after time, take the hint. Talk to your attorneys and get an idea of their concerns.

If you find yourself in petty squabbles over AP stlye, explain your point of view, listen to theirs, and come to a working compromise. Present your case well and there’s a good chance they’ll come around to seeing things your way.

On the other hand, if the issues are more substantive, stop and think about better ways that you can achieve your goals without making the layers uncomfortable. They’re usually uncomfortable for a reason.

Once you understand each other’s point of view, you may actually find that they’re your allies in the board room. With Corporate Communications and the General Counsel working together, who can stop you?

P.S. Shout out to some of the corporate lawyers I’ve enjoyed working with: Alan, John, Liza, Susan, Tanya, Tim. Thank you.

1. * Gasp!

Brand trust is unique. It’s the only brand experience that both companies and customers can take to the bank.

Well said.

Hans Rosling talks about global health trends.

Steven Pinker talks about the mind.

Richard Feynman talks about light.