UK Jobs, Robots and why I chose a question as a title on my viz

It happens too often at work, when presenting a dashboard for the first time, that the audience or final users expect the dashboard to provide all the answers to their questions. It happens too often as well that this same dashboard will trigger more questions than the answers it provides. Truth is, when presenting a new dashboard, we are also unravelling a new way of analysing data, a new way of understanding the numbers behind those graphs.

It is no news that most people believe they know their data, they truly believe they know their customers but it is at that particular moment when you present them their new viz that they realise their customers where not Gen-X but Millennials, is when they realise that most of their followers are in the US instead of the UK (even thought their shop is here in UK!).

So, when presenting a new viz to an audience, whether big or small, I always start with a “question”. This question will soon show them how much they know their own information. You might also be surprised how often they don’t !

Why a question on a viz title?

If I start a presentation with a question, why not do the same with a viz? … We usually scan a viz or infographic really quickly for few seconds. We then need, as I use to call it, a hook, something that will make people get really interested in the information shown on your viz … we need them to engage. I have realised over time that a good bold title with a question will most likely engage people to find out the answer to ‘that question’ … and that answer should be in the viz.

By placing a question, we call the inner curiosity of viewers and encourage them to find the answer. This week, on #MakeoverMonday, my viz showed exactly that, a question hoping will make people engage and get interested to find an answer.

Most of this week’s makeovers showed the percentages and the catastrophic consequences of the inevitable takeover of robots over UK jobs. I tried to show a different angle by making this question: “Risk or Window of Opportunity?”

What side of the fence are you?

My approach this week was to tell a different story. We cannot stop automation, robots taking over and eventually, AI as part of our world in a near future (Alan Turing would have been delighted to find out when a machine passed his famous ‘Test published in the mid 50’s’!). So, my angle and story was this: Yes, we cannot stop it but, are we going to sit down, wait and risk it or are we going to see it as window of opportunity to learn new skills or even change careers towards the inevitable change?

The source of information for this viz comes from a PWC Report and if we consider to be trust worthy and perhaps, the viz once again does not provide answers, in fact, it brings a second question … What side of the fence are you? – Risk or Opportunity?

Have your say, let us know what you think with a comment below!