E-Book Pick of the Month

                                                                                                                             
If you want to learn more about charts and illustrating data, Data Points: Visualization That Means Something by Nathan Yau, is a standout book that we highly recommend. It focuses on the graphics side of data analysis and offers a new perspective on visualization. This will enhance and complement your understanding of what you already knew about charts. (Available in both Kindle and trade paper)               


                                                                                                 

Pay Attention and Learn the Difference Between Mean and Median When Reading Charts

Median Net Wealth

Home Ownership

Mean/Median

Photos by Zerohedge

Median can sometimes paint a different picture than the mean. The median marks the place in the data set where values cluster. The mean is the arithmetic average. You can cry poor using one tactic or the other as Germany tried to do in these charts. Skewing results by picking the data reduction method is a way to paint a picture of the chartist's desire!

False Scaling

Photo Courtesy of Thereformedbroker.com

 

Sneaky way that improperly “scaling” charts can give you the perception of what possible outcome has for the near future.  It creates an air of uncertainty and fear.   www.thereformedbroker.com/2013/05/03/lying-with-charts/

Many of Today’s Graphs Do Not Reflect the Truth of Inflation

Graph Courtesy of Shadow Stats

Want to know why your food, fuel and products are going up while your salary is not keeping pace?  All while some consumer products, such as computers, phones and other techie items seem to be going down in price?  Despite the popular belief that inflation is low, it may be actually driving up the cost of living. Are government numbers not to be trusted?  Over the years, politicians and accountants began to omit certain data criteria from their charts (for example, the M3, or monetary supply), so their graphs tend to discount inflation.  Instead, these charts will show you today's truth in terms of how inflation was calculated using the old criteria. www.shadowstats.com/alternate_data/inflation-charts

Do You Know the Real Purpose of Graphics in Your Proposal?

Photo Courtesy of www.helpeverybodyeveryday.com

Recently, we came across a thought provoking blog from a fellow APMP member, Matt Handal in “The Purpose of Graphics and Images in a Proposal…It’s Not What You Think.”  He states that the “real purpose” of a graphic in your proposal is to get the proposal evaluator to read your text on the page.  “The letters and numbers in your proposal will make or break you.”  Handal suggests using headlines, images, and graphics as tools to pull the reviewer back to your message as no one wants to read too much text.  The graphic has to be "relevant and impressive” to pull the reader back to the text, time and again.  How does this blog change your views about adding graphics to your proposal or presentation?