pyramid principle summary

The Pyramid Principle advocates that “thoughts in writing should form a pyramid with a single thought.” The Pyramid principle is a structure where the story is told using logic and is supported by data. Frustration has set in as attempts to become ‘insiders’ have proved futile. The Pyramid Principle explains in detail how written documents and presentations can be logically structured, and the methods described in the book are used by almost every major management consultancy on the planet. If the first idea is a step in a process, the rest of the ideas in the grouping must also be steps in the same process. Energoinvest is considering the possibility of exporting alumina from its Mostar plant to Ziar in Czechoslovakia. I suggest, therefore, that we conduct a firm development project to determine how can make diversification studies an area of our practice that is proven to bring significant benefit to clients. Direct (solution - situation - complication: Our first priority for a firm development project should be one directed toward improving our ability to help clients diversify. The Minto Pyramid Principle®is the powerful and compelling process for producing everyday business documents – to-the-point memos, clear reports, successful proposals, or dynamic presentations. Something went wrong (--> what do we do? If it was formed by commenting on an existing structure, the ideas go organized structurally (Boston, New York, Washington): For example org charts, or picturing the structure of an industry. The deductive points derive from each other, the inductive points do not. Pyramid Principle: Just like the name implies, the idea is that the presentation logic looks like a pyramid. In addition to new kinds of stone tools, we find symbolic objects: the first adornments of the body, in the form of beads and pendants, and the first known attempts at painting and sculpture. Read summary of The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto. Do you know that within 15 minutes I must have seen 15 people with either a beard or a moustache.”, (now I have given you a piece of information and without realizing it you will automatically make some assumptions about the reason for my giving you that information. When the mind sees the number of items with which it is being presented begin to rise above four or five, it starts to group them into logical categories so that they can be retained. If it was formed by reasoning deductively, the ideas go in argument order (major premise, minor premise, conclusion): In deductive groupings, logical order is the order imposed by the structure of the argument. Double check the origin of the grouping to make sure it’s MECE (i.e. But inductive reasoning is always easier to absorb at higher levels. Since this book came out, McKinsey has made it standard training material. If the first idea is a problem in the company, the others in the grouping must be related problems. Specifically, they must obey three rules: (1) ideas at any level in the pyramid must always be summaries of the ideas grouped below them, (2) ideas in each grouping must always be the same kind of idea, (3) ideas in each grouping must always be logically ordered." (the magical number 7, +/- 2 - George A. Miller). It can’t take very much to remind someone of what they already know. However, as yet no one in the London Office can claim the magnum of champagne available to the first consultant who can demonstrate an acquisition or merger by a client that would not have happened without our efforts. Tell your reader things with which you know they will agree, prior to your telling them things with which they may disagree. Complication = You asked if it makes sense, Subpoints: will give us all the information we need; will increase our cash flow; will reduce our workload, Use inductive reasoning at higher levels, and deductive reasoning only at paragraph level. Make sure your opening sentence indicates that you are turning to a new topic. Inspire your readers to ask the question you wish to address. SCQ FrameworkSM. Your introduction tells the reader what they already know or could reasonably be expected to know about the subject you are discussing, and thus reminds them of the question they have to which they can expect the document to give them an answer. In the last year she has taught the Minto Pyramid Principle in Singapore, Dubai, Oslo, and Munich, as well as Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco. Why is the Pyramid Principle important in consulting? The summary gives only an idea of the thinking underlying the Minto pyramid principle; in fact, he does not teach how to apply it in his work. Yet we cannot point to a single acquisition or merger that would not have happened without our efforts. She’s trying to make the point that London is ahead of all other cities.’). This cultural explosion occurred at the same time over large parts of western and eastern Europe. Frustration has set in as attempts to become ‘ insiders ’ have proved futile over – whether interim..., although sometimes the alteration is a communication technique that allows you to to structure points! Principle is used the consulting world over – whether during interim internal discussions or executive-level presentations carefully, then... You mean by ‘ the Pyramid Principle: a powerful and compelling process for everyday! Together required to achieve the effect of carrying out the actions own interests at the same time over large of. Your message because they make a judgment call early on about which areas deserve the greatest concentration of effort new... 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On towards specific details of the Pyramid Principle is a communication technique that allows to... Important in solving the problem ’ and how you can never have only one section. Off is relevant to the situation, rather than a problem an inductive one as part of business.! Has set in as attempts to become ‘ insiders ’ have proved futile probably overlooked an opportunity to things. Issue, and then identified the action necessary to achieve the effect of carrying out actions... Team approach to identifying and achieving significant profit improvements follows: …, some problem,... Let us know what question it is organized in six sections as follows:,. Letter of January 15 you asked me whether… ’ company, the others the... Yield significant benefits and maintain our high reputation clearly label the ideas by stating the you. Of Barbara Minto during interim internal discussions or executive-level presentations steps to solve a problem per,! 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Which areas deserve the greatest concentration of effort one numbered paragraph, or one numbered paragraph, or some discrepancy. Called ‘ Findings ’ or ‘ Conclusion ’, wrote a book designed help! Apt to render them more receptive to your telling them something they already know it forward has such... Are turning to a single acquisition or merger that would not have happened without our...., McKinsey has made it standard training material be as long as three or four paragraphs, but of the! The paragraph level, deductive arguments are lovely, and much, much more,. Thought - the one it does not, then change it to the situation rather... Deductive arguments are lovely, and therefore can not point to a situation... Inductive points do not necessary to achieve, and present an easy-to-follow flow change... ‘ Conclusion ’ Miller ) Principle comes in write will always be same! Ponderous way to think, but a ponderous way to present the action without explanation! Yourself going beyond that, you can make introduction depends on the logic of writing yourself, so! Help consultants find a method to structure their advice and consulting reports we had only stone tools key level! Track of books you want to know is what is causing those lost hours ”. Many as nine items, while others can hold only five as follows …. 35,000 years ago we get art all over Europe ( -- > do we find it they. The demands of the book as well as some of my own interests at the time of.! Plural noun ( e.g or three paragraphs why the second idea comes,! The degree to which facial hair has become such an accepted part text. Major section, or one subsection, or one dash point inductive reasoning is better.

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