The most effective reports and presentations are simple, direct, and visualize data that asks the right questions and supplies answers. Invest time in training yourself about data visualization techniques. If you need inspiration, visit the New York Times Visualization Lab (http://zqi.me/nytvlab).

• Remove extraneous elements. Be aggressive. Take away as much as possible while maintaining the meaning. • Make all the elements support the visual. Use them to highlight the idea, not to describe the chart’s structure. • Remove ambiguity. Make sure each element has a single purpose that can’t be misinterpreted. • Use conventions and metaphors.