What’s the best way to show the impact of design to stakeholders who focus on metrics like revenue and churn?

Link the design changes directly to measurable behavior and growth outcomes.

At LinkedIn, I learned to test design tweaks and measure their impact on engagement, retention, or user conversion.

At Zoom, I continue this practice, involving designers and engineers in metric deep-dives. For example, a new app installation flow might reduce drop-offs and improve first-day retention. This ties directly back to lower churn. Complement the data with user quotes or usability recordings to humanize the numbers. Show that design isn’t just about the visuals. It’s a driver of the behaviors that underpin revenue and long-term growth.

• Run A/B tests and highlight measurable improvements in key metrics.

• Compare pre and post-design cohorts to show changes in user behavior.

• Pair quantitative results with qualitative customer / user feedback so stakeholders see both the numbers and the human impact.