# One number, one conclusion: data in a talk — Couchinfo

> Learn to turn data into a conclusion that is clear in three seconds. 20 minutes, tables of 3–4. Flow, debrief questions and tips for the facilitator.

Source: https://couchinfo.com/en/exercises/one-number-one-conclusion/

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Exercise · Presentation Skills for Managers

## One Number, One Conclusion

Learn to turn data into a conclusion that is clear in three seconds.

Time **20 minutes**

Participants **Tables of 3–4**

Materials **6 data cards**

From the training **Presentation Skills for Managers**

### Why this exercise

A table on a slide is homework for the listener: "work out for yourselves what matters here". A strong speaker does that work in advance: chooses the number that matters for the decision and says what it means. Participants get cards with realistic-looking data — staff turnover, a project budget, sales by region — and write a conclusion headline instead of a topic headline. Not "Staff turnover trend" but "We lose four out of ten new hires in their first year".

### How to run it

1. Give each table two data cards.
2. 8 minutes: for each card write a conclusion headline — one sentence you would say to a senior manager.
3. 8 minutes: tables read out their headlines, the group picks the clearest.
4. 4 minutes: everyone writes a conclusion headline for one number from their own talk.

### Debrief questions

- How is a conclusion headline different from a topic headline?
- What is a good comparison to make a number clear?
- Which number in your talk should come off the slide?

 **Tips for the facilitator**

- A hint for the group: comparison helps — with last year, with the plan, with something familiar ("seven hours a week is almost a full working day").
- The group's version may be stronger than the key: what matters is that it is a conclusion, not a topic.

This exercise is part of a training kit

#### [Presentation Skills for Managers](https://couchinfo.com/en/training/presentation-skills-for-managers/)

2 days · 13 hours · 17 exercises · trainer guide with what to say, slide deck, workbook, cards and tests.

 [The kit from $229](https://couchinfo.com/en/training/presentation-skills-for-managers/)

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### Similar exercises

 [The whole library](https://couchinfo.com/en/exercises/)

 [Presentation Skills for Managers #### Fix the Slide Practice the six principles of a clear slide on other people's slides and your own. 35 minutesTables of 3–4, then individually](https://couchinfo.com/en/exercises/fix-the-slide/)  [Presentation Skills for Managers #### Tough Questions on Cards Respond to tough questions and glitches in four steps without losing the thread of the talk. 35 minutesGroups of four](https://couchinfo.com/en/exercises/tough-questions-on-cards/)