{"id":7575,"date":"2019-08-02T19:45:44","date_gmt":"2019-08-02T17:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/datalabsua.com\/?p=7575"},"modified":"2024-05-24T17:51:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T14:51:40","slug":"en-blog-2019-08-05-consistency-matters-does-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/datalabsua.com\/en\/en-blog-2019-08-05-consistency-matters-does-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Consistency matters. Does it?.."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

If I tell you: \u201cImagine a financial report\u201d, what will come to your mind? A table full of numbers, colorful diagrams or wild 3D effects and speedometers? Whatever you envisioned, it will differ from your colleague\u2019s notion, let alone a vision of another company\u2019s employee.<\/p>\n

Modern tools offer infinite possibilities for creating interesting visual presentations. However, it doesn’t mean the comprehension of the final picture gets easier. Each company daily creates tons of new and updated financial analytics. Where are they going? That\u2019s right, to a manager. He or she must read (unlikely) and understand (nigh impossible) each of these works promptly. But it takes up a lot of time, money can be lost and important decisions are much harder to make.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you help it though?\u201d, you\u2019ll shake the head.<\/p>\n

Sure! Some companies have solved this problem, thanks to International Business Communication Standards (IBCS). Developed and refined by Dr. Rolf Hichert and his collaborators from the IBCS Association, the standards normalize the format and coloring of various data. This revolutionary set of rules and recommendations is called \u201ctraffic signs for management\u201d. They have taken Europe by storm and organized data visualization in companies like Bayer, Philips, Coca-Cola, BMW, etc. If you look at their current reports, you\u2019ll immediately see the advantage:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The information density seems high, yet its structure makes interpretation effortless. The viewer pays attention to what’s essential, i.e. the difference between budget and actual results. That’s because IBCS offers a consistent system of shapes, colors, fonts, and terminology. But let’s take a step back to look at the big picture.<\/p>\n

Why do we need communication standards?<\/h2>\n\n

They make life easier. We\u2019re able to reach conclusions faster, act more efficiently. Upon noticing a traffic light you decide right away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The red light means stop, the yellow one announces the switch of signals, the green one allows proceeding. You can go to Sweden or Australia, but everywhere you\u2019ll meet the usual device with familiar colors. Even in Japan, where instead of green you can see blue, it still resembles the former.<\/p>\n

We learn this as children, and the knowledge stays with us forever because the rules don\u2019t change. So we’re able to take measures without a second thought.<\/p>\n

Imagine. Each country could’ve designed its own traffic light, made it triangle and left only two colors (e.g. gold and purple). Locals would have no problem understanding it, but what about tourists? Chaos would be inevitable.<\/p>\n

This is what we\u2019re witnessing in the realm of business communication:<\/p>\n