Great research is only valuable if it drives action.

Yet, too often, business leaders overlook these Insights.

Not because they don’t care.

Not because the data lacks value.

But because the research wasn’t presented in a way that compels action.

Turning insights into decisions isn’t just about what you share.

It’s about how you share it.

Here’s how to ensure your research gets the attention it deserves

Increase the likelihood of impact by understanding how decision-makers process Information

Many researchers believe strong data speaks for itself.

That’s a mistake.

Executives, policymakers, and stakeholders interpret information differently than researchers do.

For example, a policy research team discovered that aligning their insights with decision-makers’ timelines led to faster adoption compared to generic reports.

Before you present, ask yourself:

• What’s their level of expertise?
• How much time do they have to absorb this?
• What motivates them to act?

A CEO and a frontline manager need the same research framed differently.

Structure a research presentation like a journalist

Journalists don’t start with background details.

They start with the key takeaway.

This is known as the Inverted pyramid method:

Start with the most actionable insight.

“By focusing on feature X, this will likely increase the likelihood of purchase by x5 in comparison to others."

Follow with the core data point.

Then, provide supporting details.

If you don’t start with a compelling insight, you lose your audience.

Use the evidence hierarchy model the next time you create a presentation

Not all data is equally persuasive.

A structured approach makes information easier to absorb.

One effective model is the evidence hierarchy framework:

1. Foundational data: "Customer churn has increased from 5% to 8% over the last 12 months."

2. Contextual evidence: "Analysis of exit surveys reveals that 60% of churned customers cited 'lack of product adoption' as the main reason for leaving."

3. Thematic Insight: "Low product adoption isn’t due to missing features, it’s due to a lack of onboarding. Customers who completed an onboarding session had a 50% higher retention rate after 6 months."

4. Actionable recommendation: "Implement a structured onboarding program, including a 14-day guided walkthrough and proactive customer success check-ins at 30 and 60 days. This could reduce churn by up to 25%."

Decision-makers process information faster when it moves from:

Facts → context → implications → recommendations.

If your insight doesn’t clearly lead to action, it will be ignored.

Make your research presentations visually unmissable

Dense reports kill engagement.

A UX study on research presentations found that the most persuasive slides included:

1. Ethnographic photos → Show the people impacted by the research.

2. Data storytelling → Use animated maps or sequences instead of static charts.

3. Callout quotes → Stakeholder voices build emotional connection.

Before presenting, ask yourself:

“How can I SHOW this insight, instead of just SAYING it?”

Create your research debriefs Interactive moments

Insights should spark engagement, not just be passively consumed.

The best presentations encourage decision-makers to interact with the research:

Live polling → “Which of these options do you think is most effective?”

Scenario simulations → “If you had $10M to invest, where would you allocate it?”

Stakeholder roleplay → “Let’s debate this research as if we were X”

Studies in behavioral psychology show that decision-makers are more likely to act on insights when they feel personally involved.

Don’t just present insights, make people experience them.

Make your research presentations impossible to Ignore

If you want decision-makers to act, you must present insights in a way that compels them to move forward.

Here’s how:

1. Understand your audience before presenting.

2. Use the Inverted pyramid method to grab attention.

3. Structure insights using the evidence hierarchy model.

4. Replace walls of text with visuals that tell a story.

5. Create interactive moments to engage decision-makers.

6. Use storytelling structures to make insights stick.

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And that's all for today.

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See you next Thursday.

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