Painting with Numbers
Presenting Financials and Other Numbers So People Will Understand You
By: Randall Bolten
Published: April 3, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
ISBN-10: 1118172574
ISBN-13: 978-1118172575
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
"In the case of financial documents, poorly understood reports could lead to mass confusion or even mistakes costing millions of dollars. But the right presentation of that same information could make an audience think aha! and motivate outstanding performance", writes long time CFO of several Silicon Valley companies, Randall Bolton, in his comprehensive and communication improving book Painting with Numbers: Presenting Financials and Other Numbers So People Will Understand You. The author describes how to present even complex mathematical information in an easy to understand manner, using the same basic idea sharing communication skills as writing with words, or for having a personal conversation.
Randall Bolten understands the critical importance of understanding financial numbers to the success of any organization. The author points out, however, that there is a real disconnect between how the numbers are presented to decision makers, peers, and subordinates, and how well those numbers are understood. For many executives, describing financial statements of all types to other people, presents a real challenge. Many of the people hearing the reports as presented, either do not gain any information or insights from the numbers. All too often, the message received about the underlying figures is an incorrect one, resulting in enormous and expensive mistakes being made by the organization. Randall Bolten provides a complete blueprint for presenting financial statements in an understandable and and professional manner.
Randall Bolten (photo left) recognizes that the fundamental problem posed by presenting numbers, to an audience of any size and varying levels of mathematical and accounting knowledge, is simply one of communication. Through developing the insight that presenting numbers follows a set of rules, similar to grammar, spelling and wording, the author begins the process of demystifying financial statements. While the rules of words are taught in schools, and are well understood by most people, Randall Bolten asserts that such is not the case with number presentation. As a result, the author rectifies that shortcoming, and offers a clear and concise system and set of rules for presenting numbers and financial information in terms that are fully understood by the intended audience.
For me, the power of the book is how Randall Bolten provides a complete outline for presenting numbers and financial data to anyone at any time. The author offers an entire process for number presentation based on a series of rules, that make any sort of numbers comprehensible and readily understood, even by people with limited mathematical or financial background. The author points out that the person making the presentation is responsible for conveying the message contained in the numbers.
With this basic premise in mind, Randall Bolten offers a repeatable set of steps for transforming any number presentation into one that is both enlightening and focused on the truly important numbers and their implications. By following the procedure established by the author, anyone can be successful at sharing numbers or financial data, regardless of complexity, in an accessible and engaging manner. This book will change the way anyone thinks about numbers, data presentation, and any sort of numeric communication.
I highly recommend the very accessible and process based book Painting with Numbers: Presenting Financials and Other Numbers So People Will Understand You by Randall Bolten, to anyone in business, public policy making, analysis, science, or any occupation or profession who works with numbers and must present that data to an audience. This book will improve your numeric and overall presentation skills, boost your career, and create a more successful business.
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