Communicate a Pyramid Structured Message (Set aside 1,5 hours)
How to briefly present a recommendation/Solution/Conclusion with arguments
Study the Pyramid Principle Script (10 minutes)
Choose a Message and a Target Audience
Prepare a message that follows the structure. (40 minutes)
Create Two Slides. (25 minutes)
If you were to communicate this message in an email - how would you write it? (10 minutes)
Bonus Material: (15 minutes)
Get inspired via Videos:
How to create a Hook(6 minutes)
Example of Hooks from Ted Talks (3 minutes)
Kick Start Questions Ideas
1. Study the Pyramid Principle:
2. Choosing Your Message
Think of an upcoming meeting, where you are to communicate a recommendation based on your analysis to decision makers. You can chose to present it standing as a presenter, or to communicate it sitting.
What's the problem you are trying to solve? Formulate it in one sentence only.
What's the end goal?
What’s your recommendation/solution to this problem? Formulate it in one sentence only. Prioritise a strong verb. (The verb is the most important word)
What’s the two main arguments for this recommendation?
Give each argument a brief, memorable name. Examples: “The Half-Double”, “The Manual Way”.
3. Prepare Your Pyramid using Post-its.
The fastest way to prepare is via Post-its. Yes, I know it feels “so-five-years-ago” to close down the computer to work with paper post-its, but I promise you this old-fashioned analogue preparation technique speeds things up:)
Post-it # 1: Write the problem
Post-it # 2: Write your recommendation.
Post-it # 3: Argument 1. (If you have sub arguments - write them on post-its and place them below)
Post.it # 4: Argument 2
Post it # 5, 6 & 7: The action steps it takes to get there.
Post it 8: The benefit.
Post it 9: The title.
Make a couple of versions until you are satisfied with your storyline and argument structure
Come up with the opening Hook-story. (See videos below for inspiration)
4. Create Two Slides to Support your Communication
Craft these two slides:
5. Prepare how you will communicate this in an email.
If you were to communicate this message, how would you write it in an email, so the pyramid structure is clear?
Use Bold and Colon:
Problem:
Key Question:
Solution:
Argument 1:
Argument 2:
