The Art of Influencing Clients: How Top Consulting Firms Create Compelling Storylines

TLDRLearn how top consulting firms like McKinsey influence clients by creating persuasive slide deck storylines using the SCQA framework. The situation sets the context, the complication introduces the problem, and the resolution presents the solution. Through the horizontal and vertical flow of action titles and supporting data, these firms effectively communicate their recommendations.

Key insights

🌟The storyline is the most crucial aspect of a slide deck and can persuade or fall flat.

📜Consulting firms like McKinsey use the SCQA framework to create compelling slide deck storylines.

🎯The SCQA framework includes the situation, complication, question, and resolution.

📝The situation sets the context and problem, while the complication emphasizes the problem's significance.

The resolution presents the specific solutions or recommendations to address the problem.

Q&A

Why is the storyline the most critical part of the slide deck?

A compelling storyline can persuade the reader to take action, while a weak one will fall flat and fail to communicate the recommendations effectively.

What is the SCQA framework used by consulting firms?

The SCQA framework includes the situation, complication, question (implied), and resolution. It provides a clear structure for building persuasive slide deck storylines.

What is the purpose of the 'situation' in the SCQA framework?

The 'situation' sets the context, introduces the problem, and explains why it is important and why the audience should care about it.

What does the 'complication' involve in the SCQA framework?

The 'complication' highlights the problem in more detail, emphasizing its significance and why it is a pressing issue.

What does the 'resolution' represent in the SCQA framework?

The 'resolution' presents the specific solutions or recommendations to address the problem identified in the 'complication' phase.

Timestamped Summary

00:00When consulting firms like McKinsey start a project, their goal is to influence their clients to implement their recommendations.

03:50The SCQA framework is a universal storyline structure used by top consulting firms to create persuasive slide deck storylines.

08:50To create a compelling storyline, start by writing it in Microsoft Word using the dot-dash structure.