Some critics say the original book makes a less than compelling argument for taking the time to use the methods. The pyramid principle is the international bestseller on how to produce crisp, clear, compelling business writing. Hope you enjoy this tried to take the most important key ideas of the pyramid pr. The minto pyramid principle book summary techonomics. It takes a lot of discipline to both learn and apply the methods consistently. She authored a book called the minto pyramid principle here affiliate link which essentially defined the way consultants structure most of their presentations. It is full of excellent examples of both good and bad writing. If youre interested in learning more, definitely pick up the original book by barbara minto. The mece principle, pronounced mesee, is a grouping principle for separating a set of items into subsets that are mutually exclusive me and collectively exhaustive ce. Mintos pyramid principle is great for anyone who has to write memos or sum up information to superiors. She now runs her own consultancy, minto international, inc. It is not a style manual and it is not an easy book to read. At the very beginning of, we already introduced basic guides on case interview math and the mckinsey pst.
I read this book last year, and it influenced my opinion remarkably upon communication. Bestselling author david maister teams up with charles h. Top 20 of best consulting books recommended most times. I read it in the mid2000s after it being recommended by the managertools team and recently re.
This work has been designed as an aid to the logical presentation of business communications. Barbara was the best at getting all the new recruits to go from hotshot, straightfromcampus hires to expert consultants in the shortest amount of time. In situation, you should briefly provide the context, usually in 1 or 2 sentences. Logic in writing and thinking 3 by minto, barbara isbn. The minto pyramid principle by barbara minto is simply a miracle. The pyramid principle was created by barbara minto the first female postmba hire at mckinsey in the 1970s. This book covers a range of models, from strategic to operational, and helps you to understand when they can best be used.
If you want to learn to organize your ideas for an executive report, there is no other book that covers the same breadth of topics as clearly and practically as the pyramid principle. The mece principle suggests that to understand and fix any large problem, you need to understand your options by sorting them into categories that are. Our mission is to help our clients make distinctive, lasting, and substantial improvements in their performance and to build a great. Improving your communication by following the pyramid. The clear communication of ideas, whether to clients, colleagues or the management board, is a key factor in determining personal success. The minto pyramid principle explained case interview. See more ideas about presentation skills, powerpoint slide templates and business presentation. 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Mutually exclusive items can only fit into one category at a time and collectively exhaustive all items can fit into one of the categories. Minto pyramid principle, also referred to as the mckinseys pyramid principle, is a tool used to process and structure large amounts of information to convey a story, message or presentation without omitting important details.
The principle of the mckinsey pyramid is to cut to the chase in written texts. This is, perhaps, one of the most quoted and widely used frameworks for structuring consulting communication. However, if any group of ideas are arranged into a pyramid structure in the first place, not only will it save valuable time and effort to write. Task usually includes 2 or 3 sentences describing the problem and your objective. Barbara minto, an ex mckinsey consultant, wrote a book designed to help consultants find a method to structure their advice and consulting reports. The key takeaways from the pyramid principle at mckinsey were.
The pyramid principle is a tool that helps to get the point across most effectively source. In 1987, barbara minto wrote a book called the pyramid principle logic in writing and thinking. The pyramid principle is aimed at bettering your communication by helping your thinking, and focuses fundamentally on the logic of writing. Each course is limited to 1014 people, each of whom gets a book and a thorough analysis of his or her current approach to writing. The pyramid principle lessons from mckinsey medium. Logic in writing, thinking and problem solving 2010 edition supersedes the pyramid principle book, which was written in 1987 and reissued by the publisher unchanged in 2002. A summary of the book the pyramid principle by barbara minto. Use the topdown approach while communicating your stories. After looking at the specifics of the mckinsey and bcg case interview, we now take a step back and return to the basics of case interviews in a specific page.
The minto pyramid principle by exmckinsey consultant barbara minto outlined the strategy all management consulting firms would come to. It is not a style manual and it is not an easy book. She now runs her own consultancy, international, inc. Mece is a principle used by management consulting firms to describe a way of organizing information. She went on to train bob waterman and tom waters, coauthors of the best seller book in search of excellence. The pyramid principle is a way of writing that will enable you to present your thinking so. Never has clear, convincing communication been as important as in todays informationcluttered environment. The mckinsey way will open the door on this secretive company and let business people around the world learn the lessons that mckinsey teaches its own consultants to make them more effective and efficient. Sold by reading species and ships from amazon fulfillment. The approach and structure of this book has survived the test of times and it is now up to its 3rd edition. This is an essential part of every consultants toolkit. Feb 12, 2018 the minto pyramid principle by ex mckinsey consultant barbara minto outlined the strategy all management consulting firms would come to use for their presentations. One of the tools that we used at mckinsey was the pyramid principle.
The pyramid principle is considered a mustread by most of my colleagues in management consulting and is definitely worth its reputation. The pyramid principle is a classic book written by barbara minto back in the late 80s. Jun 28, 1987 i finally got to this book after many years of having it sit on my shelf. Best management consulting books to read sussex business. Sep 11, 2018 use the topdown approach while communicating your stories. Barbara mentos the pyramid principle shows you how to structure your thoughts before writing. Barbara minto reveals that the mind automatically sorts information into distinctive pyramidal groupings. Topics covered range from the difference between deductive and. Im still trying to put theories and frameworks mentioned in the book into practice. One excellent tool is the pyramid principle by an exmckinsey consultant by the name of barbara minto. One excellent tool is the pyramid principle by an ex mckinsey consultant by the name of barbara mi. How many times have you written an email at work, read it back and found that it didnt make as much sense as youd.
Barbara minto was the first female consultant at mckinsey and was tasked with improving. Pyramid principle in consulting interviews myconsultingcoach. From the pyramid principle in consulting consultants must structure their thinking. 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. First published in book form more than 40 years ago, its lessons are still. Driving strategic impact key takeaway sub argument 1. This is now the heart of the structured analysis that the top strategy consulting firms like mckinsey, bcg and bain the mbbs use to solve client prob. The minto pyramid principle course barbara minto holds an mba from harvard business school. Mar 29, 2019 the pyramid principle by barbara minto. This book is a little bit of dry read, but it does not fail on delivering its promise of offering a great system for structuring your business writing. Our mission is to help leaders in multiple sectors develop a deeper understanding of the global economy. Minto pyramid principle, also referred to as the mckinsey s pyramid principle, is a tool used to process and structure large amounts of information to convey a story, message or presentation without omitting important details. A book by barbara minto of mckinsey who pioneered the scqa situation, complication, question and answer framework. Each point will be a summary of specific supporting details that youll get into one by.
Oct 05, 2016 this is the only way to present your ideas clearly to clients. The single thought is the answer to the executives question. Her concept literally flipped presentations on their head, and her book on the subject is still widely recognized as the standard for communicating concepts and arguments in a logical, wellstructured way. Jun 21, 20 the key takeaways from the pyramid principle at mckinsey were. The book is over 200 pages long, but what you really need to know. Barbara minto, an exmckinsey consultant, wrote a book designed to help consultants find a method to structure their advice and consulting reports. This book will allow people to take mckinsey s secrets and apply them in their own business life.
According to the pyramid principle, the next level involves grouping together all your arguments into main points. The minto pyramid principle textbook explains in detail the entire thinking process that should precede writing. Tens of thousands of people worldwide have benefited from former mckinsey consultant barbara mintos famous pyramid principle. Jun 21, 2012 this is the only way to present your ideas clearly to clients. Her concept literally flipped presentations on their head, and her book on the subject is still widely recognized as the standard for communicating concepts and. Barbara minto was with the firm for only 10 years, but the mark she left is permanent. Tens of thousands of people worldwide have benefited from former mckinsey consultant barbara minto s famous pyramid principle. The pyramid principle is barbara mintos powerful and compelling process for producing everyday business documents. The basic pyramid concept why the pyramid structure, its rules, and how the ideas within that structure relate vertically and horizontally.
Its well written as a book on logical and good thinking and writing should be but in an age of iphone apps and software i am not certain that a book is the best tool for practicing the pyramid principle. Earlier we discussed the mece principle, which states that every grouping of arguments, information, data, etc. She personally conducts a 2day live course worldwide, to groups of 1014 within a company. Mintos book also gives us the mece rule and the publications contents have become ubiquitous in consulting and are often being repackaged for audiences in other areas. The book is one of those rare books on communication that relies less on feelgood prescriptions and more on how to think while writing. The difference between merely getting by and making an impact in your writing is totally dependent upon a few key strategies that you take. Our flagship business publication has been defining and informing the seniormanagement agenda since 1964.
One excellent tool is the pyramid principle by an ex mckinsey consultant by the name of barbara minto. The principle of the mckinsey pyramid is to cut to the chase in written texts or presentations. What is the minto pyramid principle, and how do i use it. The pyramid principle will show you how to communicate your ideas clearly and succinctly. The pyramid principle 1978 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. This is the only way to present your ideas clearly to clients.
With your takeaway presented, its time to delve into your main discussion. The pyramid principle is a famous book by barbara minto on the mckinsey method for effective communication. Applying the pyramid principle will enable you to present your thinking so clearly that the ideas move off the page and into the readers mind with a minimum of effort and a maximum of effect. The pyramid principle in consulting consultants mind. Hope you enjoy this tried to take the most important key ideas of the pyramid principle and put them into this book. The pyramid principle advocates that ideas in writing should always form a pyramid under a single thought. The pyramid principle is the mustread by ex mckinsey on this topic. Minto pyramid principle, a powerful communication tool. Logic in writing and thinking by barbara minto listed 7 out of 20 times.
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