How To Give A Better Presentation

Needing to know how to give a better presentation can apply at any moment. Picture this scenario, you are in an elevator with your boss, and she asks you what sales channel the company should invest in. You start by saying the pros of Google ad words, the cons of Twitter marketing, and you keep going through the channels, weighing their respective pros and cons. Then the elevator stops at her floor, and she thanks for your input and walks away. But you never did get to your recommendation, the elevator ride was too short, and you lost her attention.

Your boss walking away happened because people tend to want to tell things linearly, much like storytelling. However, when it comes to communicating key ideas, there is a better way.

Much like learning how to be more productive, or learning to work towards your goals each day – learning this new presentation style can take a little getting used to. However, it will make you so much more effective!

How to Give a Better Presentation

Start with the main point at the top, instead of going through the long and windy explanation. The talk with your boss would look like this instead:

“We should invest more in Google ad words.” Then when your boss asks follow-up questions, support your idea with main points that are further backed up with data. The structure of this presentation flows like a pyramid, hence its name, the Pyramid Principle. Created by Barbara Minto, it is also known as the Minto Pyramid. She developed this principle while at McKinsey Consulting Group and went on to write a book that explores it in more detail. 

An easy example of how to apply the process is done by Eric Hulbert, where he explores the plot of Star Wars, but through the lens of using this structure.

Instead of telling the story linearly like we are used to, he demonstrates how the Star Wars would be presented using the Minto Pyramid.

The structure of the Minto Pryamid

The structure of the Minto Pyramid is to start with the main point at the top. That main point has three supporting points to back it up. These three points should be Mutually Exclusive, but Collectively Exhaustive. Also known as MECE in the consulting world, this means each point is unique, and taken as a whole they round out the entire argument. From there, these supporting arguments are backed up by data or logical support.

To take this to a nerdy example, look to the Starwars example.

It isn’t linearly telling the story; it is saying what the Rebel Alliance should do. Supported up by three main points with each of those points having their supporting points.

Next time you need to present a logical argument, use the pyramid principle to let people know your point up front. Then you can break it down from there into why your main argument is the best path forward.

Main Take-Aways

• Start with the main point or recommendation when giving a presentation.
• Defend that recommendation with your MECE key defenses that are backed up by their own supporting data.

Action Item

Think about an issue at work or in your life you are having. What is your recommendation? Structure your argument in this style and present it to the relevant audience. See how different