Jon Moon
Clearly showing information
What the topic isn't
Sometimes it's helpful to describe what something isn't. And several times on this website already, I've mentioned what the Five Bits aren't. This page brings these points together and adds a few more too.
Design frippery
They're not about prettification or colouring your pie charts. They're about clarity - and clarity creates impact.
Better understanding your objectives
I assume you know them already. You simply want ideas to help get them across clearly and with impact.
Computing
The Five Bits are about what you should do, not how to do it on a computer.
Known by MIS
Entities spend a lot on MIS, but then spend no time or money learning how best to show the information that the MIS spews out.
Disciplines e.g. 'label axes'
Or "make sure your tables add up". Such stuff is important but won't help you achieve impact. My Courses will.
Common sense
If it was, we wouldn't waste hours on unclear information. Rather, the Five Bits are good sense.
Known by accountants
Half of the Five Bits are about how to show numbers - which sounds like accountants should know them already. I've never met one that does.
Routine report-writing truisms
Lots of places tell you to "think of your readers" when report-writing or to "speak clearly" when presenting. So I won't tell you this. Instead, I tell you not just what to do, but also how and why.
