Start with the insight, then choose the chart type. Don't default to pie charts (they're almost always wrong) or 3D effects (they distort perception). Use bar charts for comparison, line charts for trends, and scatter plots for relationships. Match the visual to the message.

Simplify ruthlessly. Remove gridlines, reduce colors, highlight only what matters. Your audience should grasp the key point in 3 seconds. Everything else is noise. We've seen dense, detailed charts replaced with simple annotated visuals that communicate the same insight 10x more effectively.

Context matters as much as the data itself. Always show comparisons (compared to what?), time frames (when?), and implications (so what?). A number without context is meaningless. Make your data meaningful by framing it properly.