Master Presentation Techniques from Top Consultants

Unlock top consulting firms' presentation secrets: SCQA, Pyramid Principle, and more to captivate your audience with ease!

Decoge

Feb 13, 2025 1 min read

🚀 Summary

This blog post explores effective presentation techniques used by top consulting firms such as McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. By analyzing real slides from these firms, the post reveals simple yet impactful strategies to enhance your own presentations.

🎯 Highlights

Never share a single data point in isolation: Providing context by comparing data points helps control the narrative and push the story forward.
The SCQA Framework: Using the Situation, Complication, Question, and Answer framework is a staple in top consulting presentations.
The Pyramid Principle: Start with the main point, then follow up with reasoning to keep executives engaged.
Use color with intention: Colors help focus attention, reduce cognitive load, and improve readability.
Know when to use tables instead of charts: Tables are effective when precise values need to be shown.

🔍 Key Insights

Context Matters: A single data point lacks meaning without context. By comparing data over time or against benchmarks, presentations can tell a more compelling story.
SCQA Framework: This method structures presentations by establishing the situation and complication, posing a question, and providing answers, making the narrative clear and engaging.
Pyramid Principle: This approach emphasizes starting with the conclusion followed by supporting details, aligning with how executives prefer information to be presented.
Effective Use of Color: Colors guide the audience's attention and make complex slides easier to understand by highlighting key differences and groupings.
Tables vs. Charts: While charts are great for trends and comparisons, tables are better suited for showcasing detailed data, especially when exact values are significant.
Free Tools: Utilize resources like Flat Icons, Slides Carnival, and Color Hunt to create visually appealing presentations effortlessly.

💡 Conclusion

By adopting these techniques from leading consulting firms, you can enhance your presentations to be more engaging, informative, and visually appealing. Remember, it's not about having a secret formula, but about utilizing simple strategies effectively.