Humanising the Numbers in Society
Humanising numbers is the act of making numbers more relatable and understandable to people. It involves using techniques that help people connect with the data on a deeper level. Our aim is to help you understand why humanising numbers is important and how you can implement it into your work.
To begin with, when we talk about numbers, it is usually in the form of statistics, charts or reports. While these methods are efficient in conveying data, they often fall short in making people actually care about what the numbers represent. This is where humanising numbers comes in. By giving numbers context and emotional resonance, we bring them to life and make them more relatable to the average person.
Moreover, humanising numbers can also be a powerful tool for creating change. When presented with statistics about a problem or issue, people may feel overwhelmed, helpless or apathetic. However, if we can put a face or a story to those numbers, we can create a sense of empathy and urgency around the issue. This can lead to greater awareness, fundraising, and policy changes.
So, how can you humanise numbers in your work? One way is to use real-life examples, testimonials or stories to illustrate the impact of the data. Another way is to frame the numbers in a way that people can relate to. For instance, instead of saying that 60% of the population suffers from a particular ailment, you could frame it as ‘you or someone you know may be affected by this ailment’.
As a society, we are constantly bombarded with numerical data about various issues such as climate change, poverty, and healthcare. While this information can be useful for assessing the scale of a problem, it can also be overwhelming and difficult to comprehend.
The problem with numbers is that they lack emotion and personal connection. Seeing statistics about poverty rates may not evoke the same response as hearing a story about a struggling family trying to make ends meet. When presented with raw data without any context or emotional connection, it’s easy to detach ourselves from the issue and feel unaffected.
That’s where humanising the numbers comes in. By putting a personal face to the numbers, we can better understand the impact of the data and the issue at hand. We can relate to the people affected and feel motivated to take action.
For example, when discussing the issue of climate change, we could use the story of a farmer whose crops are affected by droughts and extreme weather events. By sharing their experiences, we can highlight the impact of rising temperatures and inspire others to take action.
Incorporating the human element can also help drive change from a policy perspective. Decision-makers are more likely to take action when they can see the real-world impact of the issue they are dealing with.
Incorporating the human element can also help drive change from a policy perspective. Decision-makers are more likely to take action when they can see the real-world impact of the issue they are dealing with.
Overall, humanising the numbers is a powerful tool for creating change. By putting a face to the numbers, we can create empathy, urgency, and motivation for taking action. Whether it’s using real-life examples or framing the data in a relatable way, we can make the numbers more meaningful and impactful.
In conclusion, humanising numbers is crucial for making data more engaging and meaningful. It can help us connect with the data on an emotional level and create a sense of empathy and urgency around the issues. By using techniques to humanise numbers in your work, you can create a greater impact and drive meaningful change.
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Humanising the Numbers in Finance Teams
Finance teams in technology companies play a critical role in managing financial data and ensuring the company remains profitable. However, not everyone in the organization understands financial data like accountants do. This can create a communication gap between the finance team and other divisions within the organization. Therefore, it is essential for finance professionals to humanize the numbers to help others understand and appreciate the importance of financial data.
When finance teams humanize the numbers, they help other divisions understand how their actions and decisions impact the company’s financials. This allows non-financial team members to gain a better understanding of how their work impacts the organization’s bottom line. By helping others connect with financial data, finance professionals can foster a sense of ownership and accountability among employees, which can lead to better decision-making and improved financial outcomes.
For example, suppose the marketing department wants to launch a new advertising campaign. In that case, the finance team can help them understand the cost of the campaign, the expected return on investment, and how it fits into the overall budget. By presenting the numbers in a humanized way, such as showing how the campaign would drive revenue growth and increase market share, the finance team can help the marketing team see the value of their work in financial terms.
Furthermore, humanizing the numbers can help finance professionals communicate the financial data to other departments more effectively. This can be achieved by presenting data in a way that is understandable and relevant to the audience. For instance, the finance team can use storytelling techniques to help others see the impact of financial data on real people’s lives. They can provide examples of how their financial decisions have helped employees, improved customer satisfaction, or increased profitability. By creating a narrative around the data, finance professionals can help non-financial team members understand the context and relevance of the numbers.
Another way to humanize the numbers is by using visual aids, such as charts, graphs, and infographics. These tools help non-financial team members understand complex data and see trends and patterns more clearly. For instance, the finance team can create a graph showing the company’s revenue growth over the past year, highlighting how different departments contributed to that growth. By using visuals, finance professionals can make the data more accessible and easier to understand.
Humanizing the numbers can also help foster a culture of transparency and openness within the organization. By sharing financial data with others, finance professionals can demonstrate that the company is committed to being transparent about its financial health. This can help build trust and credibility with employees, customers, and shareholders. When people understand how their work impacts the company’s financials, they can make more informed decisions and take ownership of their actions.
Moreover, humanizing the numbers can help finance professionals better understand the needs of other departments within the organization. By working closely with non-financial teams, finance professionals can gain a deeper understanding of their goals, challenges, and priorities. This can help them tailor financial data and insights to meet the needs of different stakeholders. For instance, the finance team can provide customized reports to different departments, highlighting the financial metrics that are most relevant to them.
In conclusion, humanising the numbers is a crucial skill for finance professionals working in technology companies. By helping others understand financial data, finance professionals can foster a culture of transparency and accountability, build trust, and promote informed decision-making. Using storytelling techniques, visual aids, and customised reports can make financial data more accessible and relevant to non-financial team members. Ultimately, humanising the numbers can help the organisation achieve its financial goals while promoting a more collaborative and empathetic work environment.
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James Solomons 