Statistical Consulting: A Guide to Effective Communication By: David Borgerding

Topics in Statistical Consulting Introduction to Statistical Consulting. Introduction to Statistical Consulting. The Ideal Statistical Consultant and the Satisfied Client. The Ideal Statistical Consultant and the Satisfied Client. Non-Verbal Communication. Non-Verbal Communication. Meeting. Meeting. Asking Good Questions?? Asking Good Questions?? Negotiating a Satisfactory Exchange. Negotiating a Satisfactory Exchange. Communication about Statistics. Communication about Statistics. Dealing with Difficult Situations. Dealing with Difficult Situations.

Introduction to Statistical Consulting Three Themes. Three Themes. Why does a statistical consultant need to have good communication skills? Why does a statistical consultant need to have good communication skills? What is the main difference between a statistician and a consultant? What is the main difference between a statistician and a consultant? Core of statistical consulting. Core of statistical consulting. How you can become an effective statistical consultant? How you can become an effective statistical consultant?

The Ideal Statistical Consultant and the Satisfied Client The statistician’s perspective. The client’s perspective. Five Dimensions of Quality. Aligning expectations. Ten issues that represent vulnerabilities in the client-consultant relationship.

Non-Verbal Communication First impressions are influenced by non-verbal communication. First impressions are influenced by non-verbal communication. Meetings are influenced by non-verbal communication. Meetings are influenced by non-verbal communication. Interpreting non-verbal communication in a group. Interpreting non-verbal communication in a group.

Meeting Establishing Rapport. Setting an Agenda. Coming to a Closure. Summarizing Your Discussion.

Asking Good Questions?? Avoid errors of the third kind. Identify what you need to find out. Develop an effective strategy for gathering information.

Negotiating a Satisfactory Exchange Put negotiations on the agenda. Put negotiations on the agenda. Understand your client’s preferred style of negotiation. Understand your client’s preferred style of negotiation. Identify the issues. Identify the issues. Characterize the positions held by you and your client. Characterize the positions held by you and your client. Achieve a “Win-Win” outcome. Achieve a “Win-Win” outcome. Identify fair exchanges. Identify fair exchanges. Conduct the negotiations. Conduct the negotiations.

Communication about Statistics Identify your audience and your purpose. Learn from statistics teachers. Talk about statistics. Present statistics to an audience. Write about statistics.

Dealing with Difficult Situations Breakdown! Breakdown! Conflict Resolution. Conflict Resolution. Consulting with a team. Consulting with a team. A project-based problem. A project-based problem. A non-negotiable position. A non-negotiable position. Unprofessional behavior. Unprofessional behavior.

Keys to Statistical Consulting Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Find someone to help you. Start Small. Reflect on the experience. Seek feedback from your client. Don’t demand perfection.

The End… Thank you everyone for coming. Thank you everyone for coming.