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Data is everywhere. Depending on the message you’re seeking to support, presenting your data could be as simple as referencing a journal article (while holding it as a visual aid)…to searching a report rich with trending information…to conducting your own research study displayed with tables, charts, and graphs. Here are some leading physical sources to discover the data and statistical information to add dimension to your presentation…
Corporate Sources and Executive Leadership
Companies, executive leadership, and company management routinely conduct market research. They might also be more knowledgeable on the topic than you and have the data and stats to power your presentation. Reach out to departments (i.e. public relations, finance, HR, and investor relations) or upper management for support.
Trade Associations and Professional Organizations
Trade Associations and Professional Organizations provide a network to exchange information and ideas. But they also often conduct research and studies of relevance to their members and trade industry rich with data and statistics. Their studies are often shared at member conferences and publications. Check out the American Society of Association Executives™ (ASAE), to see if there is a group that could have the data you’re seeking.
Friends and Colleagues
Friends and colleagues can be great resources for research. Post a message on social media, make a few calls, ask a few friends. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And don’t assume that just because you are the author of the presentation that other people won’t know anything about it. Most people are on your side and want you to succeed. They can also offer a third-party perspective, serve as a source of reference, or provide you with exactly the data you need.
Audience Surveys
There’s no faster way to prove your point and share the latest data than with a live audience survey. Ask a simple question and witness an instant response: “By a show of hands, how many of you believe that working remotely is just as effective as working from an office?” Some hands will rise and others will remain down. A few related questions can help reinforce your survey. Although an audience survey is not a true scientific poll, it can provide a sampling of relevant data while building a bridge between you and your audience. You can also distribute a survey to attendees – printed or digital – and share the results during or after your presentation.
Digging for data can require time-consuming research, but can add dimension to your presentation through irrefutable analytics and surefire statistics.
