5 Data Story Lessons and 1 missing element from the Indus Valley Annual Report
Finding good data-story examples isn’t easy (unlike say ads). Luckily we have BlumeVentures‘ Indus Valley Annual Report 2024. In this let’s look at the 5 most impactful data-story techniques they’ve used in the report. And one aspect that they could have added.
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-8-1024x576.png)
Every year the good folks at Blume (this year it’s sajithpai, anurag_pagaria, and llnachull) put together a detailed narrative about India’s startup sector. The 132-pg 2024 report offers some fascinating insights into the Indian economy and its startup space.
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-9.png)
Did you know, for instance, that Apple India’s sales would soon be overtaking that of Hindustan Unilever?!
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-10.png)
Or that 0.3% Indians (4.5M) contribute to 80% of income tax collected?
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-11.png)
Apart from the insights, the deck is also a masterclass in clear data-storytelling. We’re lucky to be living in a time when such high-quality work is available for free consumption! Here are 5 data-story lessons I could glean from the report (and 1 missing element).
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-12.png)
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-13.png)
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-14.png)
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-15.png)
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-16.png)
But, the report had one flaw for me. It missed having an Executive Summary. Sure, there was this ‘Structure’ slide. But this is more a Table of Contents. It does not tell you the entire narrative on one slide.
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-17.png)
So I decided to attempt one. Using the 1-3-9 Story Spine
https://www.storyrules.com/a-story-structuring-framework-as-easy-as-1-3-9/
Here’s my 1-slide Executive Summary for the Indus Valley Report 2024…
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-18.png)
And now for a more detailed (and text-heavy) 2-slide Executive Summary. (Read this on your laptop, not your phone)
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-19.png)
![](https://www.storyrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-20.png)
3 advantages of having such a summary section in your PPT:
1. The reader can recap all key points at the end of a long deck
2. You can unearth better patterns (when taking a big-pic view of the whole story)
3. You can find missing elements or breaks in the story flow
To sum up:
1. Have clear messages on top of slides
2. Connect the narrative using comic-style slides
3. Handhold the audience with transitions
4. Use quotes from credible sources
5. Use concrete visuals
And: Use the 1-3-9 Story Spine to craft your overall narrative
Finally: Read the insight-filled Indus Valley Annual Report 2024!
https://docsend.com/view/zqgfupfzyud499hn
Photo by Mei-Ling Mirow on Unsplash