Data visualisation tools:
Tableau http://www.tableau.com
Quick start guide: http://www.tableau.com/support/manuals/quickstart
Google fusion tables https://support.google.com/fusiontables/answer/2571232
Online database and mapping tool has become our default for producing quick and detailed maps, especially those where you need to zoom in.
Data visualisation resources
The functional art http://www.thefunctionalart.com