Say It with Charts: The Executive's Guide to Visual Communication

As an equity analyst, consultant, and communication specialist, I saw - and made - dozens of colorful presentations with the best charts that excel can draw that simply didn't work. After the failed presentation, a consultant or analyst who knows how to get his point across will draw a simple diagram or chart on a white board that will be far more convincing and effective than the entire PowerPoint presentation. This book is for the person who wants to get point across.

Full disclosure - I used to work at IBM and as an entry level consultant with an MBA there the first thing you are is the .ppt whipping post. That being said, the IBM training program covers many of the concepts from this book. Why?? Simple, they work. Is it the be all and end all? No. The only thing that can help you assemble good content is practice, practice, practice - with a healthy dose of constructive criticism from someone that knows what they are talking about. I just got through a days worth of presentations last Friday to one of the most senior technology people at a major government agency. All I can say is that I really, really, really wish that the people presenting before and after me had taken 5 mintues to review this book before getting in front of that crowd - it would have prevented some spectacular flamouts.

This is an excellent source for ideas on how and why we create charts. Although Zelazny writes in an easy tone, the content is delivered very efficiently. Would also highly reccommend his "Say it with Presentations". My only gripe would be the high price, but well worth the investment.

I think the fellow from Indiana misses the point. This bookhelps people to understand how to communicate ideas with charts. Inthe process, lots of hand-drawn charts are shown. Sure, Excel and similar programs can make them prettier, but the point is understanding what kind of chart is best for making a specific substantive point. No program can make that judgement, and too many people let software pick the chart format with predictably uninformative results. Students, excutives, etc., who work through this book will know what kind of a chart they really need. That knowledge in hand, turn to Excel or whatever to produce presentation quality graphics. In some cases, the data will have to be transformed in ways you might not have anticipated before the right graph can be produced. This is a great book, certainly the best and clearest introduction to statistical graphs I have seen. I also strongly recommend Tufte's books on effective graphics.

If you have to make presentations or translate large amounts of information, this is a wonderful step-by-step approach. It really helps to focus your message and reach your customers.