Hiring the right data storytelling trainer can transform how your organization communicates insights. The difference between effective training and wasted budget often comes down to seven key factors.
Otto Ottinger from Datalabs Agency has delivered data storytelling programs to over 80 organizations globally—including the United Nations, Reserve Bank of Australia, American Express, Nestlé, Mercedes-Benz, and multiple Australian government departments. Drawing from a decade of agency work and training experience that began at the National Geographic Society, here’s what separates practical, transformative training from generic corporate workshops.

7 Criteria for Evaluating Data Storytelling Trainers

 
1. Real-World Design Experience, Not Just Teaching Experience
The best data storytelling trainers have designed thousands of visualizations professionally before they ever stepped into a training room. Look for providers who actively work as data visualizers, not just educators who teach theory. Ask potential trainers about their client portfolio and recent projects.
Datalabs Agency approaches training from an agency perspective—the techniques taught in workshops are the same methods used daily for clients like BlackRock, Intel, and government departments. Otto Ottinger started his career as an Editor and interactive designer at National Geographic, where he learned the information design and storytelling techniques now taught in Datalabs workshops. This real-world foundation means participants learn practical skills they can apply immediately, not academic concepts that sound good in theory but fail in practice.

2. Customization Capability Using Your Actual Data
Generic workshops use the trainer’s pet examples and datasets that have nothing to do with your industry. The result? Participants struggle to translate abstract lessons back to their actual work. Effective trainers customize workshops to include your data, your challenges, and your audience’s needs.
Datalabs workshops are tailored to each organization. Before training begins, there’s a consultation to understand your team’s skill level, the tools they use, and the types of reports or dashboards they create. Workshop exercises are then redesigned to use your actual data—whether that’s financial performance metrics, public health statistics, or operational dashboards. Participants work on real problems they’ll face back at their desks, not hypothetical case studies. This customization extends to skill level as well, with workshops adapted for everyone from beginners to skilled graphic designers.

3. Industry-Specific Understanding
A trainer who specializes in marketing analytics won’t understand the constraints of government reporting. Someone focused on tech startups won’t grasp the complexity of financial services compliance. Look for trainers with proven experience in your sector.
Having trained organizations across government (Department of Finance, Department of Defense, Attorney General’s Department, multiple state agencies), finance (ANZ, CommBank, NAB, Westpac, Macquarie Bank, American Express), manufacturing (Toyota, General Motors, Lockheed Martin), and corporate sectors (Nestlé, Telstra, Marriott, Transurban), Datalabs understands the specific challenges different industries face. Government teams need to communicate policy to diverse stakeholders. Financial institutions must balance regulatory requirements with clarity. Each sector has unique constraints, and effective training acknowledges these realities rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

4. Focus on Creative Problem-Solving, Not Just Software Skills
Many training programs are thinly disguised software tutorials—”click here, then click there.” While tool proficiency matters, the real value comes from learning how to think creatively about data communication. The best trainers teach principles that work across any platform, whether you’re using PowerPoint, Tableau, Power BI, or pen and paper.
Datalabs workshops emphasize design thinking and creative problem-solving over software mechanics. The training is tool-agnostic, focusing on visual hierarchy, color theory, chart selection, narrative structure, and audience psychology. Participants leave understanding why certain design choices work, not just how to execute them in specific software. This approach, influenced by Otto’s National Geographic background in storytelling, means the skills remain valuable even as software tools evolve.

5. Immediate Applicability, Not Academic Theory
The worst training workshops leave participants inspired but paralyzed—they loved the examples but have no idea where to start on Monday morning. Look for trainers who provide practical frameworks and processes participants can implement immediately.
Datalabs has trained over 80 companies and government organizations, which means they’ve seen what works in practice versus what sounds good in theory. The workshops teach a structured process for approaching data storytelling projects. For dashboard design specifically, there’s a 12-step process that guides participants from initial questions through final delivery. This isn’t abstract theory—it’s the same workflow Datalabs uses for paying clients. Participants receive workbooks and presentation slides they can reference back at their desks, turning inspiration into action.

6. Post-Training Support and Resources
A single workshop, no matter how good, won’t solve every challenge your team faces. The best training providers offer ongoing support after the session ends. Ask what happens on Day 2, Week 2, and Month 2 after the workshop.
Datalabs provides follow-up support after workshops conclude. Teams can reach out with questions as they apply new techniques to their projects. This ongoing access helps bridge the gap between workshop learning and real-world application, ensuring the investment in training delivers lasting results rather than a temporary boost.

7. Portfolio of Proven Work
Anyone can claim expertise. Ask to see before-and-after examples, case studies, or portfolio pieces that demonstrate the trainer’s actual design capabilities. If they can’t design compelling data stories themselves, how can they teach you to do it?
Datalabs Agency’s portfolio spans interactive data visualizations, business intelligence dashboards, infographic reports, animated data videos, and digital annual reports for clients across six continents. The agency has designed dashboard systems for financial institutions, visual reporting strategies for major corporations, and infographic communications for government departments. This depth of professional work—not just teaching experience—underpins the training approach.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
How much does data storytelling training cost?
Data storytelling workshop pricing varies based on group size, customization level, duration, and delivery format. Providers typically charge either per person or per workshop day. Costs generally range from $3,000 to $8,000 per workshop day for corporate groups. Government rates may differ. Most professional trainers include materials like workbooks and presentation slides. When evaluating cost, consider the value of customization—generic workshops may seem cheaper initially but deliver less practical impact. Request detailed quotes that specify what’s included, from pre-workshop consultation to post-training support.

What’s the difference between data visualization and data storytelling training?
Data visualization training focuses on the technical skills of creating charts, graphs, and visual representations of data. Data storytelling training encompasses visualization but adds crucial layers: narrative structure, audience psychology, insight communication, and persuasive presentation. While visualization asks “how do I make this chart?”, storytelling asks “what insight matters to my audience and how do I make them care?” The best training combines both—teaching visual design principles alongside narrative techniques. Organizations often find storytelling training more valuable because it addresses the complete communication challenge, not just the technical mechanics.

Should we do on-site or virtual data storytelling workshops?
Both formats can be effective. On-site workshops offer better hands-on collaboration, easier troubleshooting, and stronger team bonding. Virtual workshops provide cost savings on travel, easier scheduling across locations, and the ability to record sessions for future reference. Many organizations opt for hybrid approaches—an initial on-site intensive workshop followed by virtual follow-up sessions. Consider your team’s technical comfort, geographic distribution, and budget. Datalabs delivers training in both formats globally, adapting workshop design to suit the delivery method. The interactive, hands-on nature of effective data storytelling training works well in either environment when properly structured.

How long does data storytelling training take?
Effective data storytelling training typically runs from half-day introductory sessions to multi-day intensive workshops. A comprehensive foundational workshop usually spans 1-2 full days, covering core principles, hands-on exercises with your data, and practical application frameworks. Organizations often start with an introductory workshop for broader teams, then follow with specialized sessions on specific topics like dashboard design, PowerPoint storytelling, or infographic creation. The best approach depends on your team’s current skill level and specific challenges. One-day workshops provide sufficient depth for most teams to gain actionable skills, while multi-day programs allow for more advanced techniques and extensive customization.

What tools do you need for data storytelling training?
The best data storytelling training is tool-agnostic, focusing on principles that apply regardless of software. That said, participants should have access to whatever tools they currently use in their work—whether that’s Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Tableau, Power BI, or design software like Adobe Illustrator. Training customized to your organization works with your existing technology stack rather than requiring new software purchases. The core skills of visual hierarchy, color application, chart selection, and narrative structure apply across all platforms. Organizations benefit most when training uses familiar tools, making it easier to implement new techniques immediately.

Can data storytelling training work for non-technical teams?
Absolutely. Effective data storytelling training is designed for non-designers and non-technical staff who work with data. The best workshops meet participants where they are, whether they’re analysts comfortable with numbers but uncertain about design, or communicators skilled at writing but intimidated by data. Training should demystify data visualization and provide accessible frameworks anyone can apply. Datalabs has successfully trained everyone from C-suite executives to policy officers to marketing teams. The creative, hands-on approach inspires confidence rather than overwhelming participants with technical jargon. The goal is making data communication feel approachable and exciting, not exclusive to specialists.

What’s the typical ROI of data storytelling training?
Organizations invest in data storytelling training to achieve several measurable outcomes: reduced time spent creating reports and presentations, increased executive engagement with data insights, better decision-making based on clearer communication, and improved stakeholder understanding of complex information. While ROI varies by organization, teams commonly report cutting dashboard development time by 30-40%, seeing higher adoption rates for their reports, and experiencing fewer revision cycles due to clearer initial communication. The investment pays off when one major decision is made faster or more accurately because insights were communicated effectively. Beyond tangible metrics, organizations value the cultural shift toward clearer, more confident data communication.

How do I measure if data storytelling training worked?
Success indicators include: before-and-after comparison of report and dashboard quality, time saved in creation and revision cycles, increased usage and engagement metrics for data products, positive feedback from executives and stakeholders on clarity, reduced questions and confusion about data insights, and team confidence in applying new techniques. The most telling measure is whether participants actually change their work practices after training. Effective workshops deliver immediate application—you should see improved outputs within weeks. Long-term success means the new approaches become standard practice rather than one-off improvements. Organizations can track these metrics through regular check-ins, portfolio reviews, and stakeholder surveys.

Why Organizations Choose Datalabs Agency
Since 2013, Datalabs has trained thousands of people across six continents in data visualization and storytelling. The approach combines National Geographic’s storytelling heritage with practical agency experience designing dashboards, infographics, reports, and interactive visualizations for diverse industries.
What makes Datalabs data storytelling training distinctive is its foundation in active design practice. The techniques taught in workshops are the same methods used for paying clients—tested, refined, and proven effective across government, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and corporate sectors. Workshops are creative, interactive, and immediately applicable rather than academic lectures about theory.
Organizations from the Reserve Bank of Australia to American Express, from the Department of Defense to Nestlé, have chosen Datalabs when they wanted practical, customized training that delivers lasting results. The focus isn’t just teaching participants to make prettier charts—it’s transforming how they think about communicating with data.

Ready to elevate your team’s data storytelling capabilities? Contact Datalabs Agency to discuss a customized workshop tailored to your organization’s challenges, data, and goals.