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Akram had a million-dollar business idea. But to attract funding, he needed to draw up a smart business plan. He pored over market studies, projections, predictions, and statistics and prepared a blueprint.
When he finished the blueprint, he reached out to a friend, Pooja, to take her opinion. Pooja looked over his plans and drafts and suggested using the Minto Pyramid Principle for the desired effect.
Using the Pyramid Principle would help structure the report with the main idea on top followed by details on implementation.
The Pyramid Principle of communication was developed by former McKinsey consultant Barbara Minto. A successful business consultant, she created an effective tool to draft everyday business documents. Her research and subsequent creation of the Minto Pyramid Principle revolutionized business communication.
How To Structure An Idea With The Pyramid Principle?
When Akram started working on his blueprint, this was the first question that crossed his mind. Let us look at how exactly the Minto Pyramid Principle functions and how we can apply it to make a point.
The Pyramid Principle starts with the very end, the desired output in mind. A radical approach that starts with the conclusion or the answer makes sure that you keep the audience hooked from the very beginning. Heading first into solution gives the impression that the writer is a problem-solving go-getter as well as a clear and calm-minded person.
With the expected results in hand, the Pyramid Principle then brings out the supporting arguments for the proposed change, model, or idea. Presenting supporting ideas sets up a theme and ensures all the key points and questions are addressed.
It is imperative to find the right question for the answer you are giving at the very beginning. This being the second step helps you control the presentation or document.
The Pyramid Principle works as it increases the chances of your idea being heard by the stakeholders. This top-down methodology is effective in intriguing the people involved and backed with correct data, it can’t be ignored.
Before wrapping up with the reassuring answer once again for the situation presented, it is extremely important to display the data available for the theories discussed. Using anything from market research, studies, focus group data sets, analytical, statistical data sets, or academic research from the past, the Pyramid Principle of communication ensures that you leave no gaps or cracks for doubt to slip in.
Approaching your business drafts or meeting notes with the Pyramid Principle will aid you in getting your point across efficiently. You can also use the MECE (mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive) principle, identified and categorized by Barabara Minto, that helps you divide the dataset into sub-factors that are distinct and cover the relevant field thoroughly.
Using this productive and data-backed tool will guarantee that your reports are never tagged out or discarded. As long as you have the correct data to back up your argument, the pyramid approach will put your goal right on top, and your idea will be better understood and accepted.
Harappa Education’s Writing Proficiently course has more about the Pyramid Principle of communication for efficient business and professional communication in a matter of a few hours. With the help of world-class professional faculty, you can master the Minto Pyramid Principle and dazzle your superiors with flawless idea pitches and business strategies.
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