Modern society increasingly speaks with visuals. This approach is often backed by various research. For instance, the brain is wired to continuously assess the visual images it sees and it only needs 13 milliseconds to be able to process an entire image. For comparison, the blink of an eye lasts about 300 milliseconds.
Research by TechSmith shows that younger generations in the workforce are two-times more likely to prefer visual communication than their older counterparts. It also emphasized that visual communication, when used effectively, helps to boost productivity, engagement, and ultimately revenue.
This blog post will explore the importance of data visualizations and workplace digital signage’s ability to share them in a smart and up-to-date way.
Data Overload
Our daily lives are awash with endless amounts of data, which is created every minute of every day. Domo’s seventh edition of Data Never Sleeps in 2019 wonderfully visualizes exactly how much data is generated each minute from today’s most popular online platforms and companies. A cropped version of their infographic is seen below.
By 2020, it is estimated there will be 40 times more bytes of data than there are stars in the observable universe.
Raconteur created an infographic that highlights not only the amount of data created in one day but also its momentous pace (seen below). By 2025, it is believed that 463 exabytes (which is 463 quintillion bytes) will be created each day.
There is an abundance of and without having a meaningful way to share this information it can get lost in the ether. This is where data visualization steps in!
Why Data Visualizations?
Data visualization is the presentation of this big data in easily accessible pictorial or graphical formats. Essentially, it is about transforming boring numbers on a massive spreadsheet into appealing images or graphics (e.g. charts, graphs, and maps, etc.) that are easier to understand and remember.
Historically, this is not a new concept but technological advancements in recent years have made this process of using pictures to understand data quicker and simpler than ever before.
The visuals created, however, need to be as purposeful as they are stunning. The balance of both form and function ensures the success of visualization in conveying a clear and meaningful message to people at a moment’s glance.
Tableau describes data visualization as “storytelling with a purpose,” which removes unnecessary noise and highlights only useful information. This can help to drive informed and meaningful decisions/actions for your company that increase productivity and boost revenue.
Marrying Data Visualizations with Workplace Digital Signage
Workplace digital signage, a dynamic visual tool in itself, makes the sharing of data visualizations both logistically easier as well as strategically smarter, particularly because of automation, integration, and accessibility.
Automation
Manual updates are not only time-consuming and costly but also sluggish. Given that data is constantly updated every second, it is vital that it is shown up-to-date and in real-time. Data in a few days, or even a few hours, can become obsolete almost instantly. Automation ensures the information you share always stays relevant and timely.
Automation also allows you to strategically target the right audience at the right time. When teams have valuable data that is relevant to them, both productivity and motivation are higher.
Integration
There are numerous applications for workplace digital signage nowadays that help you to visualize data more effectively, like Tableau, Microsoft Power BI or Google Analytics.
Read More about Power BI Integrated with Digital Signage
Your workplace digital signage should seamlessly integrate to enhance transparency, employee communication, and engagement.
Accessibility
Visualizing data makes it easier to understand and remember. Complex spreadsheets and reports can be difficult to grasp, but simple visuals provide a clearer overview of the company’s situation and future direction.
Putting data visualizations on workplace digital displays also assures that they reach more (if not all) of your employees and visitors alike.
It is clear that data visualizations and workplace digital signage go together like peas and carrots! Now it is important to figure out if you are using both to their fullest capacity.
Find out more about Valotalive here.
Further Reading:
Writer: Jade Rosenkranz is an American communications freelancer living in Helsinki interested in building connections, storytelling, and growth hacking.
Image Credit: Pixabay from Pexels
