A clear example of how even the best professional books age badly. The pyramid principle is considered a mustread by most of my colleagues in management consulting and is definitely worth its reputation. 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. The pyramid principle is barbara mintos powerful and compelling process for. The main message is represented visually by the top of the pyramid and the key points and details that follow form the middle and base of the pyramid.
I read it in the mid2000s after it being recommended by the managertools team and recently reread it again. Pyramid principle a summary of barbara mintos book. I cant read them all the time, so i swallow them in batches. Barbara minto reveals that the mind automatically sorts information into distinctive pyramidal groupings. The pyramid principle is a classic book written by barbara minto back in the late 80s. Developed by barbara minto from mckinsey to find a method for the consultants to structure their advice and consulting reports. The pyramid principle will show you how to communicate your ideas clearly and succinctly.
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, it. This book, the pyramid principle by barbara minto was first published in 1987, and proposes a blueprint for communicating complex ideas clearly in writing. The pyramid principle is the answer to this question. Tens of thousands of people worldwide have benefited from former mckinsey consultant barbara mintos famous pyramid principle. The pyramid principle lessons from mckinsey medium. The minto pyramid principle is difficult to grasp though. Buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this item may be available for instore purchase. That is to use the approach to sort through your thinking much like the presentation technique introduced in the first section of the book. How many times have you written an email to work, read and found that it didnt make sense as much as you would have hoped foror worse, someone else said they cant follow him. Using minto pyramid principle for writing equity research reports, business plan, strategy reports and other consulting assignments presentations require a cohesive theme to be persuasive and inspire action presentations should make a strong recommendation, provide facts and conclusions in support of the desired option, and present the. The second half of the book focuses on pyramid thinking. For a more thorough treatment of the minto pyramid principle and how to effectively apply it during your case interviews i recommend buying my book or taking a look at the book by minto.
The pyramid principle by barbara minto waterstones. Structure the case conclusion recipientfriendly by applying the pyramid principle use the pyramid structure to provide syntheses and recommendations at the end or in between your case interviews. Pdf download the pyramid principle free unquote books. This book also talks about how your horizontal logic and vertical logic, when arranged in a hierarchal and systematic structure, result in presenting to a topic to. Minto pyramid principle for writing equity research. Structure the case conclusion recipientfriendly by. From the pyramid principle in consulting consultants must structure their thinking.
It is full of excellent examples of both good and bad writing. Little reference is made to this second section in the official book description and considering you lose half the book to it you may end up with. What is the minto pyramid principle, and how do i use it. She authored a book called the minto pyramid principle here affiliate link which essentially defined the way consultants structure most of their. Pdf download the pyramid principle logic in writing and. The minto pyramid principle 1996 edition open library. It suggests that headings such as introduction, background, assumptions and findings should not be used in business memos, because they have no scanning value they do nothing to convey the ideas which are being communicated. The pyramid principle concept enables people to structure their reasoning into a coherent and transparent argument, helping them analyze their argument and confirm its effectiveness. Im having a flurry of reading professional books right now. It is the scaffolding of management consulting thinking.
The pyramid principle is barbara mintos powerful and compelling process for producing everyday business documents. Barbara minto reveals that the mind automatically sorts the information into distinctive pyramid like. That said, i have gotten some writing book leads and recommendations from other folks that i think are worthwhile exploring. Pyramid principle in consulting interviews myconsultingcoach. It involves using diagrams to help articulate and work through the decision problem, from initial recognition of the need through to communication of the decision and the thinking behind it bdm is designed for use in making deliberative.
The pyramid principle advocates that ideas in writing should always form a pyramid under a single thought. 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. The book is one of those rare books on communication that relies less on feelgood prescriptions and more on how to think while writing. This work has been designed as an aid to the logical presentation of business communications. The approach and structure of this book has survived the test of times and it is now up to its 3rd edition. The pyramid principle by barbara minto the logic of writing the pyramid structure a person that seeks to learn your thinking about a particular subject faces a complex task. We think mckees and mintos ideas are extremely helpful for thinking through. Never has clear, convincing communication been as important as in todays informationcluttered environment. My revised thoughts 2016 shown in red color consultants must. Miller describes in his treatise the magical number seven, plus or minus two a pattern governing the process of our mind. The minto pyramid principle explained case interview. This is from 4 years ago and covers the mintos pyramid principle one of the most important concepts in executive communication and logical structuring of arguments.
One excellent tool is the pyramid principle by an exmckinsey consultant by the name of barbara minto. For those who dont know the pyramid principle is one of the classic books of the consulting industry. One excellent tool is the pyramid principle by an exmckinsey consultant by the name of barbara mi. At risk of selling barbara mintos book short, her book really focuses. Recently i came across a book called the minto pyramid, you might know this book, by barbara minto, exmckinsey. The single thought is the answer to the executives question. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. The pyramid principle in consulting consultants mind. By giving the summarizing idea first, we are using topdown communication and giving our readers the main message first. 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 minto pyramid principle logic in writing, thinking, and problem solving new and expanded ed. This way i can show the interviewer i am 100% hypothesis driven and i dont ask any irrelevant data. Here, you present your results first and then how you got there. Logic in writing and thinking 9780273710516 by barbara minto and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This is the only way to present your ideas clearly to clients. The pyramid principle encapsulates an efficient, functional way of communicating where you deliver key conclusions first and then go on to supply supporting information we can use the pyramid principle in many different contexts, but it is particularly crucial to adhere to in delivering your client recommendation at the end of your case study. She now runs her own consultancy, minto international, inc. The pyramid principle is the international bestseller on how to produce crisp, clear, compelling business writing. Nowadays every mckinsey consultant is trained to learn and apply this method and it is also used by many other consulting companies worldwide.