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How helpful is the pyramid principle book by Barbara Minto in consulting ? Is it worth buying?

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Clara
Coach
on Oct 31, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It´s an interesting book, since the method is good for presenting. 

However, instead of buying the book, perhaps I would rather participate in a session/workshop applying it -it´s the way you truly learn it, at least it was like this for me-. 

If your question is whether this is useful to apply to consulting, I would say close to zero. It´s a great communication training, but you need much more than that: that one is only a little piece of the whole thing. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Anonymous B
on Oct 30, 2020

You can find it online in a pdf version, no need to buy it:) 

6
Deleted user
on Oct 30, 2020

Hi Anonymous! 

In my eyes, it's not worth buying. The principle is a great tool for communication, especially for your summary, where you give the conclusion/recommendation first, then support it with 2-3 arguments that you have elaborated on during the case. 

But that's about. The book goes into much more detail on how to apply the pyramid principle for storylining, substructures and what have you. But: In my personal opinion, it's a great concept that is both powerful, but also very simple. You don't need to read a full book to understand the concept and apply it in your interviews or also your daily work.

5
Ian
Coach
edited on Oct 30, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Like most persuasion/thinking books...interesting but also better learned on the job and through mentorship/experience.

Ken
Coach
on Oct 30, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

I was given a copy when I joined McKinsey and it has been a door stopper at best... There are enough free material articles and videos for you to understand the concepts. The real value will come from you practicing how to communicate in a clear, concise and structured manner. Of course, you have a fantastic community of ex-McKinsey coaches on PrepLounge to coach you too :)

Gaurav
Coach
on Oct 30, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

It might be helpful for your general knowledge, which you will implement in your practice. It's not something outstanding, but it might be helpful.

ALso, you can check some application, where you can read it on subscription or on a borrowing principle.

Cheers,

GB

Udayan
Coach
on Oct 30, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Great to learn abot the pyramid principle which is how presentations are (or should be) written

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