Hi!

Whenever you present an insight during a case interview you should communicate your findings top-down. The same is true when presenting your interpretation of a chart, table, graph, etc. Start with the single most important fact you can extract from the chart.

1. Communicate this key insight that you identified from the chart

2. Then, give the reasons for your conclusion. These reasons must be substantiated by the data!

3. Based on the insight generated, proactively suggest (without having been asked by the interviewer) the logical next step in your navigation through the case in order to proceed towards reaching a recommendation/answer for the client! 

Let’s look a bit closer on the first two points: communicate insights, and then give the reasons. This is what is widely referred to as “The Pyramid Principle”.

Here is a graphical depiction. Even though you typically DERIVE insights in a bottom up way, you should always COMMUNICATE these insights in a top-down way. So after you have taken adequate time to scrutinize and understand a chart, you should start your communication to the interviewer with the main insight (sometimes also called “the takeaway”). This insight is usually supported by one or several observations. We just discussed the difference between observations and insights - observations usually SUPPORT the central insight of a chart. And these observations in turn are rooted in the actual data and information that can be found on the chart you have been handed.

So THIS is how you ensure clear and crisp communication with respect to charts (and also in general).

Don’t move in circles! 

Don’t discuss random data points in an unfocused manner! 

Don’t get lost within the chart! 

Always keep laser focus on WHAT YOU WANT TO FIND OUT in order to reach an answer to the client. Use the chart to fuel the required analyses with data! Not the other way round! 

By setting your communication up that way, you demonstrate that you are able to

1. Retrieve key observations & messages in a data set quickly

2. Consider the significance of the data on the current issue and core question

3. Communicate all of this in a crisp and clear “client-ready” manner

Cheers, Sidi

Top-down communication is about having a structure and hiearchy in your communication. When you're reading an exihibit, you can highlight they 3-5 key insights in order of importance and then discuss consequent implication accordingly. For the maths, I think it's more important for final round where you want to distill your approach and calculation to be focused on the most imporant steps and details as opposed to boring a partner with your mental maths.

Hi there,

In terms of exhibit reading

1. Summarize the chart/exhibit in 1-2 sentences
2. Identify the key differences/#s
3. For each, articulate the major insight/why it matters
4. Explain next steps

In terms of math

1. State the main # you are trying to calculate...and why
2. Lay out the exact math steps you will take
3. Calculate (silently) while popping up at key moments to update on major step numbers
4. React to the final number and explain what it means/implications
5. Explain next steps