Pages

Sunday, November 17, 2013

4 Ways to "Streamline" a PowerPoint Page or Deck at McKinsey

Image from ecomodder.com
Your McKinsey boss might give you feedback that your work needs to be "streamlined".  In this post I'll explain what that means and provide four common ways to accomplish it...


What does it mean to "Streamline" a document?

Feedback that your work needs "streamlining" usually means that your PowerPoint page or document (aka "deck") is too busy or complicated.  In consulting, it is often true that less is more, so your McKinsey boss is asking you to make your document more effective by making it leaner and/or clearer.

How do I streamline my document?

The overall approach should be to make sure that the focus or point of your document "pops".  Here are four common ways to accomplish that:

1.  Edit down

Make sure your work is focused on the critical or vital few.  Apply the 80/20 rule to make sure you're highlighting the most important things and not wasting PowerPoint real estate on lower priority topics.  Extra information doesn't always add to your presentation - often, it will distract from the key takeaways.

2.  De-word

Even if the "so what?" of your document is clear and the storyline is effective, your point can get lost if it's buried under too many words.  This is especially true of the page titles and headlines - they should be concise yet informative. The body of your page can also be streamlined, especially if verbal clutter is causing you to drop the font size to 10 or lower.

Make sure every word you're using is critical to conveying the key takaway(s) and/or advancing the storyline.  Find ways to say the same things with half as many words - adjectives, adverbs, and articles are often unnecessary and can be cut without consequence.  Consider using punchy, bullet point lists instead of lengthy explanations

3.  Simplify

Consider your storyline and frameworks.  Are all of the complexity and details necessary?  If your storyline has 10 parts, can you get your audience from Point A to Point B with fewer steps or chapters?  If you've applied a complicated, multi-dimensional framework, can you still make the point with a simpler, more elegant approach?

4.  Get visual

The adage that a picture is worth a thousand words also applies to PowerPoint decks.  Graphs, maps, and other exhibits can replace words while making the same point - often more clearly - than a page full of text or dense, complex data tables.  They also add visual interest to pages, helping you keep your audience engaged.

One caveat - although a good graph will allow the data to speak for itself, remember that you might need some text to put the information into context and/or highlight the key takeaway(s) from that data.

19 comments:

  1. McKinsey advisors are centered around conveying effect to customers. The Firm doesn't need things like exploration, making PowerPoint pages, and troubleshooting Excel models diverting from that objective. In this way, McKinsey gives numerous profitable assets to its experts.
    thesis writing service

    ReplyDelete
  2. Buy Here Pay Here dealership web sites have different needs and requirements than a normal used car dealers. Here are 3 easy and inexpensive ways to increase your traffic to your site.
    why we shouldnt have homework

    ReplyDelete
  3. It has to be handled with the best assistance and also with the fulfillment of products. You must get the best assistance from the shifting organizations because we need to shift always.

    coursework writing services uk

    ReplyDelete
  4. My friend mentioned to me your blog, so I thought I’d read it for myself. Very interesting insights, will be back for more!
    www nehu ac in result 2018

    ReplyDelete
  5. Have you registered for Avaya ACSS 3312 exam? If your answer is positive then you need to quickly start preparing for the exam. There is never enough time because the room of improvement is always there. Now you must be wondering how to prepare and what resources/preparatory material to choose for Avaya ACSS 3312 Exam preparation. You worries are over! Certs2pass has designed comprehensive products for its users who aim at succeeding Avaya ACSS 3312 dumps. Two exclusive products, PDF and Practice Exam Software, are introduced by Certs2pass for best scores in Avaya AuraƂ® Contact Center Administration 3312 exam. If you are a person who is looking for outstanding result with productive preparatory material, then Certs2pass products should be your choice.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much for share this awesome article, I am deeply read your article useful point you will mention on this blog I really like to read this, I am suggest to my all dear friend to visit this helpful article and read it, I hope you will post again this type of blog, if any one searching website designing & development company in India please visit my website, we are do for you as you won’t we are design a website in cheap rate, thanks for read my comment.
    Dynamic Website Designing Company in Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome article, I am suggest to with you one think your blog was awesome, It’s given me lot of valuable information, I am read it, keep sharing like this type of article, if any one searching how to grow looks so please visit my website and grow up your life style.
    Lifestyle Magazine India

    ReplyDelete
  8. Superb blog, I deeply read your blog and I like to read It, keep share like this type of enjoyable article, thank you so much for share with us this useful information, if any one searching shipping company in India please visit my website.
    Custom Broker in India

    ReplyDelete

  9. Once you start laundry service, begin by exploring your service area. Singapore delivery. Seek the business-capable places in your town and do your research. People, giant emplomostyers in your area and washing and dry cleaning areas can be found through some online research.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Before you begin laundry and dry cleaning, Begin by discovering your zone of service. Do your homework and search for the most business able fields in your metropolis. You can find population figures, gigantic employers in your region and places of laundries and dry cleaners by conducting some research online.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That was fine, but what to do when our file is corrupted or "Your desired file cannot be opened" this message show when we try to open our desire file? Assignment Writing Services

    ReplyDelete
  12. Do you need black magic spells to get rid of your husband's mistress ? Do you want to fix your marriage or relationship or you want to get back with your ex after the breakup or you want to put a stop to that Divorce? Do you want revenge on your enemies or do you want a death spell cast on someone who has wronged you in the past ? If yes then let me recommend a tested and trusted voodoo man called Dr noble who has helped me to destroy my enemy (Donald) that almost ruined my life just because I got married to his ex girlfriend which was no fault of mine. I contacted Dr Noble for his powerful death spell and in 48 hours Donald died in an accident. It was the greatest news to me that day. Finally my enemy is out of the way, thank you Dr Noble. Here is Dr Noble's contact via noblesolutiontemple. com or add him on WhatsApp for quicker communication +2349 05 9610 643

    ReplyDelete
  13. I was diagnosed as HEPATITIS B carrier in 2013 with fibrosis of the
    liver already present. I started on antiviral medications which
    reduced the viral load initially. After a couple of years the virus
    became resistant. I started on HEPATITIS B Herbal treatment from
    ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC (www.ultimatelifeclinic.com) in March, 2020. Their
    treatment totally reversed the virus. I did another blood test after
    the 6 months long treatment and tested negative to the virus. Amazing
    treatment! This treatment is a breakthrough for all HBV carriers.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Deck builder Washington DC Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such info.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Finding work is difficult in today's economic climate, especially in light of recent events (the last 18 months or so). Having a well-written and professional resume will boost your chances of landing a job no matter what your goals are. So find best resume writers here

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great Post! I really loved reading through this article. Thanks for sharing such a amazing post with us and keep blogging BM&A is trusted by over one hundred corporate clients, risk and management consultancy firms, IGOs and high net worth individuals.

    ReplyDelete
  17. wow sir i like your artical this website visit my website and in all service available would like to make these

    ReplyDelete