Book: Making Numbers Count by Chip Heath and Karla Starr

Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of Communicating Numbers by Chip Heath and Karla Starr

In Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of Communicating Numbers, Chip Heath and Karla Starr present a practical guide to effectively conveying numerical information. Recognizing that humans often struggle to grasp large or abstract numbers, the authors offer strategies to translate data into relatable and impactful messages. Through vivid examples and actionable principles, they demonstrate how to make numbers resonate with audiences, enhancing comprehension and retention. This book is an essential resource for anyone looking to improve their numerical communication skills.

Chip Heath is a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he teaches courses on business strategy and organizations. He has co-authored several bestselling books, including Made to Stick, Switch, and The Power of Moments, which have been translated into multiple languages and have sold over three million copies worldwide. His work focuses on making ideas stick and understanding the principles of effective communication.

Karla Starr is a science journalist whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, Slate, and Popular Science. She has a keen interest in the psychology of human behavior and decision-making. Her first book, Can You Learn to Be Lucky?, explores the science behind luck and success. Starr’s writing is known for making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to a broad audience.

For workplace learning professionals, Making Numbers Count offers valuable insights into presenting data in ways that enhance understanding and engagement. By applying the authors’ principles, trainers and instructional designers can create more effective learning materials that communicate numerical information clearly and memorably, thereby improving learners’ ability to apply data-driven insights in their roles.