Barbara minto is the author of the minto pyramid principle 4. 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. I first came across it over 25 years ago when i was working. Topics covered range from the difference between deductive and. This book, the pyramid principle by barbara minto was first published in 1987, and proposes a blueprint for communicating complex ideas clearly in writing. 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. It is built on midlevel recommendations, each of which are supported by smaller facts, data, analysis, benchmarks etc. The pyramid principle in consulting consultants mind. The single thought is the answer to the executives question. It was acquired in 1974 by harcourt brace which became harcourt brace jovanovich which renamed it to. The minto pyramid principle online course barbara minto. The company was sold to the walter reade organization in the late 1960s.
One excellent tool is the pyramid principle by an exmckinsey consultant by the name of barbara minto. By giving the summarizing idea first, we are using topdown communication and giving our readers the main message first. Barbara mintos pyramid principle is a hierarchically structured thinking and. Frankly if the book was written using the method it teaches it clearly demonstrates short comings in the approach as a whole. Nowadays every mckinsey consultant is trained to learn and apply this method and it is also used by many other consulting companies worldwide. Verdi heinz changed description of ebook the pyramid principle. That is to use the approach to sort through your thinking much like the presentation technique introduced in the first section of the book. Jun 21, 20 the pyramid principle advocates that ideas in writing should always form a pyramid under a single thought. Pyramid principle a summary of barbara mintos book. The principle is simple and how far you take it is up to you. Structure the case conclusion recipientfriendly by.
In the graphic below you can see that the top of the pyramid executive. My revised thoughts 2016 shown in red color consultants must structure their thinking. Dec 01, 2015 from the pyramid principle in consulting consultants must structure their thinking. I cant read them all the time, so i swallow them in batches. What is the minto pyramid principle, and how do i use it. The pyramid principle is the international bestseller on how to produce crisp, clear, compelling business writing. She authored a book called the minto pyramid principle here affiliate link which essentially defined the way consultants structure most of their presentations. 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.
Logic in writing and thinking ebook in epub, mobi and pdf format just make click on. The core of mintos thinking method is to group ideas in a presenters thought process into small clusters that support the main thesis in increasing detail. To regain profitability we have to improve market share by cutting prices. Pdf download the pyramid principle free unquote books. Pyramid books we are not trying to change the world. One of the tools that we used at mckinsey was the pyramid. A clear example of how even the best professional books age badly. 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. Pyramid principle a summary of barbara mintos book about. That said, i have gotten some writing book leads and recommendations from other folks that i think are worthwhile exploring. Logic in writing, thinking and problem solving chinese language edition by na and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The minto pyramid principle through her early work as a consultant at mckinsey. Pyramid principle in consulting interviews myconsultingcoach. Extended thinking eventually ends in a single pyramid of ideas, at many levels, obeying logical rules, and held together by a single thought. Using the pyramid principle, you can directly and effectively target your message. The second half of the book focuses on pyramid thinking. At risk of selling barbara mintos book short, her book really focuses. Professionals whose work involves preparing documents, presentations or written communications. We stand for hope and possibility in the book industry. Communicating the thinking requires only that you guide the reader down the pyramid. One of the tools that we used at mckinsey was the pyramid principle. The book is one of those rare books on communication that relies less on feelgood prescriptions and more on how to think while writing. Recently i came across a book called the minto pyramid, you might know this book, by barbara minto, exmckinsey. The pyramid principle is barbara mintos powerful and compelling process for.
This work has been designed as an aid to the logical presentation of business communications. 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. The pyramid principle is the answer to this question. Just like the name implies, the idea is that the presentation logic looks like a pyramid. Pyramid books celebrates black history month 365 days a year to educate all people about the african diaspora. Barbara minto reveals that the mind automatically sorts information into distinctive pyramidal groupings. It is not a style manual and it is not an easy book to read. Youll come to use this in your personal life and your working life to better structure your. Barbara minto author of the minto pyramid principle. The pyramid principle is a structure to present your synthesis in an effective and convincing manner. 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 decisions. The pyramid principle is barbara mintos powerful and compelling process for producing everyday business documents. Logic in writing and thinking 9780273710516 by barbara minto and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Barbara minto first came up wih the pyramid principle at mckinsey co when she was brought in to.
The minto pyramid principle logic in writing, thinking, and problem solving new and expanded ed. Nov 18, 2008 the pyramid principle is considered a mustread by most of my colleagues in management consulting and is definitely worth its reputation. The minto pyramid principle assumes that you already know how to write good sentences and paragraphs. For those who dont know the pyramid principle is one of the classic books of the consulting industry. Structure the case conclusion recipientfriendly by applying. The minto pyramid principle by barbara minto, 1996, minto international edition, in english new and expanded ed.
Lower prices visavis competitors will increase our market share. We are not trying to change the world, but telling. The pyramid principle is considered a mustread by most of my colleagues in management consulting and is definitely worth its reputation. Minto pyramid principle for writing equity research. Very well written, very logical and made perfect sense. Barbara mentos the pyramid principle shows you how to structure your thoughts before writing. 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. Never has clear, convincing communication been as important as in todays informationcluttered environment. Mckinsey pyramid principle pdf mckinsey consultant is trained to learn and apply this method and it is also used by many other. 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. Jove books, formerly known as pyramid books, is an american paperback and ebook publishing imprint, founded as an independent paperback house in 1949 by almat magazine publishers alfred r.
The pyramid principle is a famous book by barbara minto on the mckinsey method for effective communication. But that point must be directed toward answering a question existing in your readers mind. Is there a book on business writing better than the minto. The pyramid principle logic in writing, used abebooks. The pyramid principle advocates that ideas in writing should always form a pyramid under a single thought.
The pyramid principle lessons from mckinsey medium. This is the only way to present your ideas clearly to clients. 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. Business decision mapping bdm is a technique for making decisions, particularly for the kind of decisions that often need to be made in business. It is full of excellent examples of both good and bad writing. Logic in writing, thinking and problem solving explains a technique for working out your thinking on any subject, so that you can present it clearly to someone else. 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. It is the scaffolding of management consulting thinking. This way i can show the interviewer i am 100% hypothesis driven and i dont ask any irrelevant data. 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 the pyramid principle is a structure to present your synthesis in an effective and convincing manner.
If youre interested in learning more, definitely pick up the original book by barbara minto. The pyramid principle will show you how to communicate your ideas clearly and succinctly. Im having a flurry of reading professional books right now. The pyramid principle the minto pyramid principle says that your thinking will be easy for a reader to grasp if you present the ideas organised as a pyramid under a single point. Im not stating that the pyramid process is simple, but mintos. The minto pyramid principle is the powerful and compelling process for producing everyday business documents tothepoint memos, clear reports, successful proposals, or dynamic presentations. The pyramid principle by barbara minto waterstones. The pyramid principle contradicts received wisdom about business writing in a number of ways. Here, you present your results first and then how you got there. 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. 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. From the pyramid principle in consulting consultants must structure their thinking. It concentrates instead on the thinking process that should precede the writing.
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