D37 How to Make Your Data Actually Matter with Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

D38 Building Data Culture with Datafluencers

SUMMARY Fresh off the stage at Tableau Conference 2026, Sarah Burnett and Fiona Crocker bring their live TC26 session straight to the unDUBBED audience. Their session was called Building a Data Culture with Datafluencers, and the whole premise is this: the best data work in most organisations will never be seen - not because it isn't good enough, but because nobody told the story. They walk through why brilliant work disappears, who is responsible for fixing it, and the practical tools to start changing that this week. The centrepiece is the seven-part data story arc, walked through using Freshmart, a fictional wholesale food chain where waste was above target despite accurate data and capable teams.  Whether you're a data analyst whose work isn't getting the recognition it deserves, a manager trying to build a data culture, or someone who's ever built a dashboard that nobody used - this episode is for you.   TAKEAWAYS * The gap between delivery and adoption is where great data work disappears - and it's a storytelling problem, not a data problem * Great work goes invisible for three reasons: no channel, no story, and no leaders to promote it * A Datafluencer isn't a job title - it's a set of behaviours that makes work visible, shareable, and heard * The seven-part data story arc gives a repeatable structure: hook, problem, insight, solution, result, learning, call to action * One dashboard reframe - not a rebuild - saved Freshmart 2.4 tonnes of waste and $672,000 in annualised costs in six weeks * A public data wins channel builds culture over time - people stop lurking and start contributing when the space feels worth being in * Amplification is the step most people skip - make it one click for your manager, then prompt them to take it higher   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Data Culture and Datafluencers 01:24 Understanding Why Data Work Goes Invisible 03:19 The Role of Datafluencers in Amplifying Work 05:39 Framework for Effective Data Storytelling 08:10 Building a Winning Channel for Data 10:56 Amplification and Cultural Impact of Data 13:43 Conclusion and Call to Action   LINKS Data Fluencer Toolkit - https://www.dubdubdata.com/offers/iU2dFRBd/checkout Fi Crocker on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ficrocker/ Sarah Burnett on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sezbee/   KEYWORDS data culture, Datafluencer, data storytelling, data visibility, Tableau Conference 2026, TC26, data story arc, dashboard adoption, seen heard promoted, data leadership

D37 How to Make Your Data Actually Matter with Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

In this episode of unDUBBED, we’re joined by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, founder of Storytelling with Data and one of the most influential voices in data storytelling and data visualisation. Cole shares practical, real-world insights on why data often fails to drive decisions - even when the analysis is right - and how to shift from simply showing data to actually influencing outcomes. From her journey through banking and Google’s People Analytics team to building a global data storytelling movement, this conversation is packed with actionable techniques to help you communicate data with clarity, purpose, and impact.   🔑 MAIN TOPICS Why data fails to drive decisions - and how to fix it The shift from showing data to explaining data Audience-first thinking in data storytelling Structuring communication using the narrative arc The role of iteration, feedback, and time in crafting data stories When to use dashboards vs storytelling The risks and realities of AI in data visualisation   📌 IN THIS EPISODE Cole’s journey from banking to Google and founding Storytelling with Data How data visualisation became a critical business communication skill Why designing for yourself (not your audience) is the biggest mistake in data The difference between exploring data vs explaining data How to use titles, annotations, and contrast to guide attention The power of low-fidelity prototyping and iteration for alignment Why most data presentations follow a “selfish” structure - and how to fix it Using the narrative arc to create tension and drive action How to develop a clear “Big Idea” before building anything The role of AI in data storytelling - speed vs risk, and hallucinations Common chart mistakes, including unnecessary detail and poor audience focus ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction to data storytelling with Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic 02:12 - Cole's journey from banking to data visualization at Google 03:45 - The importance of clear visual communication in business 06:46 - Teaching data visualization at Google and creating impact 08:45 - The storytelling ecosystem: books, workshops, community 10:48 - Making data concepts accessible and engaging 13:33 - The collaborative process behind “Storytelling with Data: Before and After” 17:17 - The power of the “before and after” in data improvement 18:10 - The storytelling process as a “glow up” for data 19:01 - Tools and techniques for rapid prototyping and iteration 20:41 - Strategies for understanding the audience and customizing communication 23:52 - Using low-tech methods for stakeholder alignment 27:03 - Balancing detail with clarity: avoiding overwhelm 29:54 - Differentiating between storytelling and dashboards 33:10 - Structuring data communication as a narrative arc 36:39 - The importance of concise messaging and annotations 46:16 - Layering information to enhance understanding 50:52 - Developing the “Big Idea”: clear, impactful core message 55:43 - The role of AI and machine-generated charts in modern data storytelling 64:10 - Common chart crimes and things to stop doing 64:47 - Final takeaways: prioritize audience understanding and time 66:09 - Resources, books, and ways to connect with Cole   🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS Storytelling with Data → https://www.storytellingwithdata.com Storytelling with Data: Before and After (book) → https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/before-and-after Daphne Draws Data → https://daphnedrawsdata.com Tableau → https://www.tableau.com Figma → https://www.figma.com AI tools → https://claude.ai [https://claude.ai]   | https://chat.openai.com   🔗 CONNECT WITH COLE NUSSBAUMER KNAFLIC LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/colenussbaumerknaflic Website → https://www.storytellingwithdata.com 🧠 KEY TAKEAWAYS Data alone doesn’t drive decisions - clear communication does If your audience doesn’t know what to do, your data has failed Start with the audience and the action, not the analysis Use storytelling to create tension, clarity, and direction AI can accelerate workflows - but human judgment remains critical

D36 Dashboards don't drive decisions, people do!

SUMMARY Are your dashboards actually driving decisions? Or are they beautifully built artefacts that nobody uses? In this episode of unDUBBED, Sarah and Fiona sit down with two of the most respected voices in data communication to tackle one of the industry's most uncomfortable questions: do dashboards actually work? Amanda Makulec is a data visualisation leader with 15 years of experience and a founding board member and former executive director of the Data Visualisation Society. Andy Cotgreave spent 20 years in data and analytics, 15 of them at Tableau, before co-founding How to Speak Data. Together they co-host Chart Chat - so yes, they have opinions. The conversation digs into the discovery and prototyping work that must happen before anyone opens a tool, the difference between story finding and storytelling, and why reducing friction often beats adding features. They also get into AI's messy, exhilarating, and frankly terrifying impact on data work. Whether you build dashboards, manage a team that does, or quietly suspect nobody reads your reports - this one's for you. Amanda and Andy are also co-authors of the Big Book of Dashboards and Dashboards That Deliver.   TAKEAWAYS * 71% of people surveyed said most dashboards fail - but did you ever define what success looked like in the first place? * The most common mistake is diving into building before understanding what users actually need - discovery and prototyping must come before development. * Dashboards don't drive decisions, people do - the real value of data happens in the conversations it sparks, not the charts themselves. * Reducing friction is one of the highest-leverage moves you can make - data needs to meet people where they already work. * Story finding and storytelling are completely different design paradigms - conflating them is one of the most costly mistakes in data communication. * Pretty data that turns out to be wrong destroys trust faster than almost anything - and AI makes this risk higher, not lower. * Your data team is probably using AI extensively without telling you - and leadership's early bans are almost certainly why. * The word "dashboard" is just semantic drift from stagecoaches - what matters is whether people can act on the information, whatever you call it. * Data communication is broader than data visualisation - sometimes one statistic at the right moment beats an entire interactive dashboard. * In an AI-obsessed world, the things that remain irreplaceable are human context, earned trust, and genuine connection with the people who use your data.   KEYWORDS amanda makulec, andy cotgreave, dashboards that deliver, big book of dashboards, why dashboards fail, dashboard design, data communication, data visualisation, story finding vs storytelling, AI and data analytics, future of dashboards, dashboard strategy, user centred design, discovery before development, reducing data friction, data trust, data decision making, how to speak data, chart chat, data visualisation society, datafam, unDUBBED, dub dub data, dashboard best practices, data storytelling   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Dashboards and Their Value 08:35 The Failure of Dashboards: Insights and Statistics 19:23 Redefining Dashboards: Integration and User Experience 21:54 Teaching Data Visualization Workshops 24:02 The Future of Dashboards 33:38 Data Communication vs. Data Visualization 44:26 AI and the Role of Data Teams 45:10 The Rapid Evolution of AI Technology 47:04 Balancing Productivity and Ethical Concerns in AI 47:51 The Importance of Human Connection in Data Analysis 50:04 Building Trust and Communication in Data Work 53:12 Quick Fire Round: Insights and Opinions 56:11 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts   LINKS Amanda Makulec website - https://www.amandamakulec.com/ Amanda Makulec LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/abmakulec/ Andy Cotgreave LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/acotgreave/ How to Speak Data - https://howtospeakdata.com/ How to Speak Data Newsletter - https://acotgreave.substack.com/ Andy's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqhn4yE-8QS3U1b7Jn1WItQ   Dashboards That Deliver - https://www.dashboardsthatdeliver.com/ Viz Responsibly (Amanda's Substack) - https://vizresponsibly.substack.com/ Chart Chat Newsletter - https://chartchatlive.substack.com/ Data Visualisation Society - https://www.datavisualizationsociety.org/ Amanda's Nightingale article - https://nightingaledvs.com/has-data-storytelling-reached-its-peak/ Iraq's Bloody Toll by Simon Scarr - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybwh4lejYO4   Empire of AI by Karen Hao - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460331/empire-of-ai-by-hao-karen/9781802064650 Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil - https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Math-Destruction-Increases-Inequality/dp/0553418815

D35 Your Ultimate Guide to Tableau Conference 2026

Heading to Tableau Conference 2026 in San Diego? This episode is a practical guide to getting real value from TC26 - without wasting time, burning out, or missing what actually matters. Tableau Conference can be overwhelming. Thousands of people. Hundreds of sessions. Constant noise, energy, and options pulling you in every direction. The difference between a good experience and a genuinely career-shifting one comes down to how you approach it. This episode focuses on how to navigate TC26 with intent. It covers what to prioritise, how to think about sessions versus conversations, where the real value is created, and how to position yourself to get more than just inspiration - actual outcomes you can take back into your work. There’s a strong emphasis on the parts of conference that aren’t written in the agenda: the moments between sessions, the meetups, the side conversations, and the connections that often lead to opportunities long after the event ends. It also addresses the reality of conference fatigue, decision overload, and the pressure to “do everything” - and reframes the experience around making deliberate choices instead. If you want to walk into TC26 with clarity, confidence, and a strategy that helps you get more out of the experience than most people in the room, this is the episode to listen to before you go. A HUGE THANK YOU to the following Tableau Ambassadors who contributed to the content shared: Sarah Pallett, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pallett/] Celia Fryar, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/celiafryar/] Sam Batchelor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthabatchelor/] and Sudhaa Ramakrishnan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sudhaaramakrishnan/]   Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to TC26: A Journey Begins Fi and Sarah open with the personal story behind why Tableau Conference matters so much to them, including how they first met at TC17. 02:50 – Key Events Not to Miss at TC26 A rundown of the keynote, Devs on Stage, and Iron Viz – and why each one matters for a different reason. 10:37 – Exploring Community Engagement and Networking The wider conference experience beyond the headline sessions, including To The Core, the Vizzies, the Community Village, the hackathon, and Data Night Out. 27:40 – The Importance of Community Meetups Why meetups are one of the best parts of TC, especially for making real connections and easing into the week. 31:55 – Navigating Your First Tableau Conference What day one feels like, why it can be overwhelming, and how to settle into it without pressure. 34:36 – Conference Energy Management A practical discussion on food, hydration, noise, alcohol, rest, and pacing yourself across multiple days. 36:33 – Navigating Networking and Conversations How to approach people, handle imposter syndrome, and start conversations with community members you admire. 39:45 – Asking Questions and Session Etiquette Tips on asking good questions, keeping notes, leaving sessions respectfully, and making the most of Q&A moments. 42:58 – Avoiding Common Conference Pitfalls The things Fi and Sarah would avoid, including over-scheduling, skipping meals, and trying to do everything. 44:21 – Comfort and Preparation for TC26 Shoes, layers, battery packs, roaming, LinkedIn QR codes, note-taking, and practical conference readiness. 45:12 – Final Takeaways and Conference Insights A rapid-fire finish on favourite sessions, underrated parts of TC, survival tips, and what they hope listeners take from the episode.   Links Tableau Conference 2026 – Official Site & Info [https://www.salesforce.com/tableau-conference/] Register for Tableau Conference 2026 Tickets [https://www.salesforce.com/tableau-conference/register/] Don't Miss Our Session - Building Data Culture with Datafluencers  [https://reg.salesforce.com/flow/plus/tc26/sessioncatalog/page/catalog?search=datafluencer] The Famous Flerlage Twins present How to Do Cool Stuff in Tableau 2026 Every Dev Can Learn from Andy Kriebel &  Jeff Schaffer - Speed Tipping: Return of the GOATs [https://reg.salesforce.com/flow/plus/tc26/sessioncatalog/page/catalog?search=goat] TC26 Session Catalogue  [https://reg.salesforce.com/flow/plus/tc26/sessioncatalog/page/catalog] Data + Tacos (TC26 Pre-Game Event) Registration [https://usergroups.tableau.com/events/details/tableau-san-diego-tableau-user-group-presents-datatacos-the-taco-awakens-tc26-pre-game/] Data + Women (TC26 Pre-Game Event) Registration [https://www.moxyfoundation.org/events-1/data-women-pre-game-tc26-1] Why Attend Tableau Conference (Convince Your Boss) [https://www.salesforce.com/tableau-conference/why-attend/]  Iron Viz - What's it About?

D34 Lifting the Floor: How Andy Kriebel Builds Unstoppable Tableau Analysts

SUMMARY What does it actually take to build a confident Tableau analyst? In this episode of unDUBBED, hosts Sarah Burnett and Fiona Crocker sit down with Andy Kriebel, Tableau Visionary, Hall of Famer, and founder of Next Level Tableau, to explore the coaching philosophy that has shaped some of the best analytical talent in the global data community. Andy has spent nearly two decades turning analysts into exceptional performers. Ten of his trainees have gone on to become Tableau Visionaries themselves, out of only 72 people worldwide who hold that distinction. His stated goal is to make you so good at Tableau that you don't need him anymore. The conversation explores how confidence is built through environment rather than personality, why soft skills are just as critical as technical ability, and what separates analysts who improve slowly from those who accelerate fast. Andy also reflects on his journey from underwriter to Facebook manager to head coach at the Data School in London, and how those experiences shaped the live, community-driven training model at the heart of Next Level Tableau. Whether you're an analyst wanting to level up, a manager building a high-performing data team, or someone pivoting into a data career, this episode is packed with honest, practical insights you can apply straight away.   TAKEAWAYS * Confidence isn't a personality trait - it's an environment you deliberately design. * The earliest signal that someone will step up is their willingness to put in just that little bit of extra work. * Active participation, homework, and portfolio building compound quickly - especially for career changers. * The number one predictor of a great consultant is listening, not technical skill. * Career changers who invest their own money in learning consistently outperform those whose companies foot the bill. * Building your network and connecting with people already doing what you want to do is the fastest shortcut to career growth. * Communities thrive when everyone focuses on lifting the floor, not racing to the top. * Even experienced Tableau practitioners pick up new efficiency gains in every single class. * The difference between learning Tableau and thinking Tableau is built through deliberate repetition and observation. * Great managers remove obstacles, deliver no surprises at review time, and show up consistently for their people. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Confidence in Data Analysis 02:55 Building a Community of Confident Analysts 05:45 The Role of Teaching and Engagement 08:42 Andy Kriebel's Journey to Coaching 11:28 The Importance of Soft Skills in Data Analysis 14:00 Creating a Supportive Learning Environment 16:23 Nurturing Confidence Through Environment 19:10 Career Transitions and Building Skills 22:36 Navigating Career Changes 27:28 The Importance of Active Participation 33:19 Learning Through Observation 36:24 Thinking Like Tableau 39:35 Key Traits of a Great Consultant LINKS Next Level Tableau - https://nextleveltableau.com/ Andy Kriebel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykriebel/ Tableau Public Profile of Andy Kriebel - https://public.tableau.com/profile/andy.kriebel DataIQ Top 100 Influential People in Data - https://www.dataiq.co.uk/top-100-influential-people-in-data KEYWORDS Data Visualization, Tableau, Data Training, Community Building, Soft Skills, Data Career, Analytics Confidence