Management Tip of the Day: 3 Tips for Communicating the Numbers

We recently changed our email address to noreply@email.hbr.org. To ensure that you continue to receive messages from us, please add our new address to your address book, trusted sender list, or company white list. Learn how »

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile MAY 10, 2010 3 Tips for Communicating the Numbers Many financial communications are dry and boring at best, confusing and unreadable at worst. The best communicators (see Warren Buffet) are able to talk about the numbers in a way that is clear, engaging, and compelling. Here are three tips for more effective fiscal messages: Don't overly focus on the numbers. It's your job to explain the "so what." Numbers should only be used to support your main points. Use metaphors and analogies. You don't need to wax poetic, but using metaphors can help you avoid the jargon that often plagues financial messages. Be honest and transparent. Candidness instills confidence in your audience; they don't want to feel like you're hiding something or trying to gloss over the bad news. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Financial Communication, Warren Buffett Style" by Karen Berman and Joe Knight. Read the full blog post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: RELATED PRODUCT Finance Harvard Business Publishing Online Course Need to boost your job performance? We can help. Explore introductory concepts in finance ranging from ratio analysis to valuation. This interactive online course will help you master the essential finance skills that every professional needs to succeed. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: BEST SELLERS Financial Intelligence Collection 10 Must-Read Articles from HBR HBR's Must-Reads on Managing Yourself Guide to Better Business Writing How to Get the Right Work Done PREVIOUS TIPS Need New Ideas? Trade Places Appeal to Your Customers' Emotions 3 Classic Strategy Mistakes to Avoid Motivate People by Participating in Their Stories 3 Tips for Asking Better Questions 3 Steps to Exiting a Conversation Gracefully Use the Three-Minute Rule to Better Understand Your Customers Enjoy Trying on the Way to Achieving 3 Things to Assess Before You Back Down 3 Ways to Keep Good Employees in a Bad Economy HBR Online Trial Access HBR's in-depth business archives FREE for 14 days. Register today » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 1-800-545-7685 (617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)