Jasper Polak Profile picture
Jul 23, 2022 13 tweets 4 min read Read on X
McKinsey makes $500,000+ on a single presentation.

You can learn their simple framework below (for free):
The secret? Story, flow, and structured arguments.

Every fresh analyst is taught this blueprint:
• Introduction & context on one slide
• Always lead with the conclusion
• Pyramid argument structure
• Title storyline & slide flow

Let's break it down, so you can apply it too:
Set the stage by using the SCQA framework.

Situation: what's the current state?
Complication: what needs to change?
Question: how can you solve the complication?
Answer: this one deserves it's own slide, up next.

This tells your audience WHY they should read on.

Example: Image
Next, lead with your answer.

Put your conclusion out there, and let people digest it.

Explain WHY this is the answer later on.

Example: Image
Break down your answer using the Pyramid principle

• Back your conclusion with 3-5 key arguments
• Support your arguments with findings & data
• 1 argument per slide, drive your point home
• Nothing overlaps, nothing is missing
• "Nice to haves" go in the appendix

Example: Image
All slide titles combine to tell the storyline.

A busy executive only scans the titles.

Will they get your point?

A great slide title:
• Presents the slides' takeaway
• Clearly makes the main argument
• Answers why the audience should care - "So what?"

Example: Image
The slide content explains & supports the title.

You've made your point in the title, now support it:
• Explain how your data leads to the takeaway
• Show supporting data & findings
• Give context to the argument

Example: Image
Bookmark this thread as cheat sheet for your next presentation:

• Set the stage
• Provide context
• Lead with the answer
• Let the titles tell the story
• Break your arguments down
• Create slides that support the title
That's how you make complex topics easy to digest.

Let's put this thread's core ideas to the test:

• Started with context & the answer
• The first line of each Tweet tells the overall story
• The rest of each Tweet explains & supports the title

Check to see if I passed!
Thanks for reading!

If you found this valuable, join my mission to bring effective project management to tech SMBs.

Follow me @polak_jasper as I share the tactics, soft skills & frameworks you need.

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Let’s put the concept to the test!

Do the titles tell the story? Image
By popular request:

I’ve put everything from this thread into a template!

Get it here:
I've been completely overwhelmed by all the template requests.

DMs blew up two days in a row.

I'm doing my best to give everyone a reply, but I'm guaranteed to miss a few.

Please go ahead and grab your template here:
presentationtemplate.carrd.co

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More from @polak_jasper

Feb 12
Project managers love their plans.

But their projects still fail.

Learn to love these 11 soft skills instead:
Communication

• Clear > clever.
• Learn to tell stories.
• Find your voice - authenticity matters.
• Pursue extreme transparency and document everything.
Positive energy

• Smile more.
• Be an optimistic realist.
• Never complain or gossip.
• If you're low on energy, your team is too.
Read 14 tweets
Feb 3
As a consultant, I've seen 100s of project plans over the years.

Harsh truth: most were terrible.

These are the 7 things every project plan should include: Image
Project planning is not sexy, but it's the first step to a successful project.

Your job is to manage expectations. To make all implicit information explicit, get everyone to agree, and then get it done.

But don't overdo it either.

The power is in the planning, not the plan.
When I wrote my first project plan 10+ years ago, it sucked.

But having seen 100s over the years, I'm seeing patterns in the successful plans.

They all address these 7 essential elements:

- Why
- Scope
- Benefits
- Constraints
- Project team
- Stakeholders
- Risk management
Read 12 tweets
Jan 28
Every company wants flawless project execution.

But in reality, 70% of projects fail.

Stop making these 9 misteaks today:
1) Lack of clear goals

Your teams can't deliver what they don't understand.

Resist the urge to give someone a vague description and expect them "to just fix it".

Agree on:
- What success looks like
- How you'll measure it

Clarity is power.
2) No business alignment

A project either solves a problem or captures an opportunity.

If it's not in line with your business goals & strategy, don't do it.

It's a matter of time before departments or teams clash over resources & priorities, and you have no way to prioritize.
Read 12 tweets
Jan 19
You don't get what you deserve.

You get what you negotiate.

23 hard-earned practical tips that'll save you money and anxiety (bookmark this): Image
The other party is your partner, not your opponent.
Prepare by knowing what you want, and what the other party is aiming for.
Read 28 tweets
Jan 13
As a consultant, I've been in 1,000+ meetings.

Most of them sucked.

Run your next meeting 3x better with this proven checklist: Image
First: there's no such thing as an "update meeting".
Send an email instead.

Meeting purposes:
• Problem-solving & brainstorming
• Strategic thinking & planning
• Decisions & alignment
• Planning & traction
• 1:1 relationships
Never mix two meeting purposes.
Before you invite:

• Make a clear agenda & pre-read
• Include the desired outcome
• Invite only those you NEED
Read 11 tweets
Oct 29, 2023
I've managed 100s of projects over the past 10 years.

27 harsh truths from the trenches that'll save you a year's worth of headaches (bookmark this):
If it doesn't have a clear goal, budget & deadline, it's not a project - it's just work.
The power is in planning, not the plan. A plan is just a way to store your research and decision-making.
Read 32 tweets

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