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Management Consulting Presentation Essential Training

John Burress

4.7

Based on 2,619 ratings

, see reviews

John Burress

Updated for 2025.

In today's job market, you are only as good as your presentation skills. As the competition for high-level consulting and management positions becomes increasingly cutthroat, you need a powerful way to make your message stand out from the rest.

My name is John Burress and I'm excited to introduce you to the McKinsey presentation system. During my time as a corporate strategist, I've used McKinsey presentations to significantly grow many leading businesses using the same techniques you'll learn under my instruction.

Updated for 2025.

Recent studies reveal that over 80% of clients intuitively prefer presentations that use the McKinsey system due to its unique mechanics and ease of understanding.

My multi-faceted intensive course will guide you through the intricacies of management consulting presentations and cover a wide range of topics so you can begin utilizing the system for your own clients. You will graduate with a deeper understanding of the principles and best practices needed to compete in today's job market.

Topics include:

· Exploring the basic blocks of a McKinsey-styled presentation

· Learning storytelling for business

· Writing powerful key messages

· Building smarter storyline

· What's a storyboard and why do you need one

· Using dot-dash storyline and pyramid principle to craft a compelling storyline

· How to build a presentation like a management consultant from scratch

· Working with tables, words, and graphics

· Understanding simple and complex charts

· Managing presentation nerves

· Setting up your room for presentation

· Tips for handling a Q&A section

· Essential body language techniques of public speaking

Forbes reports that 70% of successful Americans report that presentation skills were critical to the development of their careers. Are you certain your skills are up to par?

If you're ready to move into the upper echelon of effective communication and presentation success, sign up today. I look forward to meeting you soon.

Enroll now

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn how to build a presentation like a management consultant from scratch
Explore the basic blocks of a mckinsey-styled presentation
Understanding storyboarding for business
Writing powerful key messages
Using dot-dash storyline and pyramid principle to craft a compelling storyline
Working with tables, words, and graphics
Using simple and complex charts to visualize insights
Apply plan-do-check-act cycle to create a management consulting presentation yourself
Managing presentation nerves
Setting up your room for presentation

Master the system that covers almost everything you need to create compelling, memorable, and persuasive business presentations
Tips for handling a q&a section
Understand essential body language techniques of public speaking
Learn how to write cover page, agenda, and executive summary like a management consultant
Learn the complete consulting presentation list to give an outstanding business presentation
Understand how to prioritize findings from many analyses
Tips for finding the right data quickly
Show more
Show less

Learn how to build a presentation like a management consultant from scratch
Explore the basic blocks of a mckinsey-styled presentation
Understanding storyboarding for business
Writing powerful key messages
Using dot-dash storyline and pyramid principle to craft a compelling storyline
Working with tables, words, and graphics
Using simple and complex charts to visualize insights
Apply plan-do-check-act cycle to create a management consulting presentation yourself
Managing presentation nerves
Setting up your room for presentation
Master the system that covers almost everything you need to create compelling, memorable, and persuasive business presentations
Tips for handling a q&a section
Understand essential body language techniques of public speaking
Learn how to write cover page, agenda, and executive summary like a management consultant
Learn the complete consulting presentation list to give an outstanding business presentation
Understand how to prioritize findings from many analyses
Tips for finding the right data quickly
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Welcome

Introduction

What you should know before watching this course

Why do consultants use PPT so much

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the McKinsey presentation system, which is widely recognized and utilized in the management consulting industry for its effectiveness and clarity

Teaches the pyramid principle, a core concept in consulting for structuring communication and presenting information in a clear and logical manner

Covers essential body language techniques, which are crucial for effective public speaking and delivering impactful presentations in professional settings

Includes a section on managing presentation nerves, which is a common challenge for many professionals, especially when presenting to high-stakes audiences

Requires learners to download presentations from McKinsey, BCG, and Accenture, which may require additional steps to access and could be time-consuming

Includes a bonus section on IBCS standards, which are valuable for creating clear and consistent business communication, but may require additional learning and effort

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Reviews summary

Mastering consulting presentations

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in creating presentations in the McKinsey style, focusing heavily on structure and logic. Students found the explanations of the Pyramid Principle and storyboarding particularly valuable. The content covers a wide range of topics from building narratives to data visualization and even presentation delivery tips like managing nerves and handling Q&A. Many reviewers highlight the course's practical applicability for business professionals and consultants, though some suggest it might be more beneficial for beginners than those with prior experience.

Most valuable for those new to the style.

"As someone new to consulting presentations, this course was a perfect starting point. It covers everything from the ground up..."

"I had very little experience with this style, and the course provided a solid foundation without overwhelming me."

"Learned a lot as a beginner, but felt some parts might be review for more experienced professionals."

"The level of detail seems ideal for beginners or those looking to formalize their understanding."

Includes tips beyond slide creation.

"Unexpectedly helpful sections on managing presentation nerves and handling Q&A. These are often overlooked!"

"I appreciated that it didn't just focus on the slides but also covered public speaking and interaction with the audience."

"The tips on body language and setting up the room were practical additions I didn't expect but found useful."

Directly useful for professional roles.

"The techniques taught here are incredibly practical. I can apply them directly to my business presentations starting today."

"This training is essential for anyone in a consulting or strategy role who needs to create impactful presentations."

"I found the tips on data visualization and choosing the right chart format particularly useful for presenting complex findings."

"The course provided concrete tools and strategies I can immediately use in my job."

Detailed guidance on key consulting methods.

"The sections on the Pyramid Principle and storyboarding were eye-opening and immediately applicable to my work."

"Learning how to structure a storyline using the Pyramid Principle was the most valuable takeaway for me..."

"I finally understand how consultants build their presentations using storyboards after this course."

"The explanation of the Pyramid Principle was one of the clearest I've seen."

Strong emphasis on core principles and logic.

"This course gave me a great grasp of the fundamental principles behind consulting presentations, especially the importance of clear logic..."

"I really appreciated the focus on structure, like the dot-dash storyline and how to build a presentation with a logical flow..."

"Understanding the basic blocks and how to maintain vertical and horizontal logic has completely changed how I approach creating slides."

"It explains the core principles of structuring arguments using methods like the Pyramid Principle very clearly."

May be too basic for experienced learners.

"While solid, I felt the course was quite basic and didn't delve deeply into advanced techniques or edge cases I encounter regularly..."

"Someone already familiar with consulting frameworks might find this a bit superficial in certain areas."

"I was hoping for more advanced tips on data presentation or specific software usage..."

"Good as a refresh, but not much new if you've been doing this for a few years."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Management Consulting Presentation Essential Training with these activities:

Review Consulting Frameworks

Show steps

Refresh your understanding of common consulting frameworks to better grasp the strategic thinking behind McKinsey-style presentations.

Show steps

Identify key consulting frameworks.
Research each framework's purpose and application.
Summarize the frameworks in your own words.

Review 'The McKinsey Way'

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of the McKinsey approach to problem-solving and communication, which forms the basis of the presentation style taught in the course.

View A Joosr Guide to... The McKinsey Way by Ethan... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book 'The McKinsey Way'.
Take notes on key concepts and strategies.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to presentation design.

Create a Storyboard Template

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of storyboarding by creating a reusable template for structuring consulting presentations.

Show steps

Research different storyboard formats.
Design a template with key sections.
Test the template with a sample presentation topic.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Practice Chart Selection

Show steps

Improve your ability to choose the right chart type for different data sets and insights, a crucial skill for effective consulting presentations.

Show steps

Find sample data sets online.
Determine the best chart type for each data set.
Create the charts using presentation software.

Review 'Say It With Charts'

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of data visualization principles and techniques to create more impactful charts and graphs in your presentations.

View Say It With Presentations, 2E Rev and Exp Ed... on Amazon

Show steps

Read 'Say It With Charts'.
Identify key principles for effective chart design.
Apply these principles to improve existing charts.

Design a Mock Consulting Presentation

Show steps

Apply the principles learned in the course to create a complete consulting presentation from scratch, reinforcing your understanding of the entire process.

Show steps

Choose a relevant business problem.
Develop a storyline using the pyramid principle.
Create slides with compelling visuals and data.
Practice delivering the presentation.

Tutor Other Students

Show steps

Reinforce your knowledge by explaining presentation concepts and techniques to other students, solidifying your own understanding in the process.

Show steps

Offer tutoring sessions to classmates.
Prepare explanations of key concepts.
Answer questions and provide feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Management Consulting Presentation Essential Training will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Management Consultant

The role of a Management Consultant often requires presenting complex data and strategies to clients in a clear and persuasive manner. This course, with its focus on the McKinsey presentation system, helps build a foundation in structuring presentations that resonate with clients. You'll learn how to create compelling storylines, use visuals effectively, and deliver key messages with impact. The storytelling component of this course will be particularly helpful as will the sections on tables, words, graphics, simple charts, and complex charts. For those who wish to influence clients and move them to action, this course supports the development of essential communication skills for a Management Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Corporate Strategist

As a Corporate Strategist, you are expected to communicate strategic recommendations to leadership. Mastery of visual communication is, therefore, essential. This course explores the principles of the McKinsey presentation system, designed to make complex information understandable and persuasive. You'll gain skills in crafting storylines using the dot-dash approach and the pyramid principle, which can improve the clarity and impact of your proposals. The course covers topics such as writing powerful key messages and how to build a presentation from scratch, giving you the tools needed to excel as a Corporate Strategist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Strategist

Business Analyst

Business Analysts rely on effectively communicating findings and recommendations to stakeholders, and this course provides specific training in presentation skills tailored to a consulting framework. You will learn how to build professional presentations from scratch, as well as how to communicate your ideas to clients. By exploring the basic blocks of a McKinsey styled presentation and working with tables, words, and graphics, you will be able to produce more effective communiques. This course may be useful for Business Analysts to clearly convey data driven insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers often need to present project updates, proposals, and reports to various stakeholders. This course, emphasizing the McKinsey presentation system, helps Project Managers develop skills in organizing information and delivering persuasive presentations. Learning to write powerful key messages, build smarter storylines, and handle Q&A sessions can improve the effectiveness of project communications. The course's coverage of setting up your room for presentation and body language techniques can enhance your presence and confidence as a Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers need to rally a team around sales goals and strategies. As such, there is a need to communicate with precision. This course in developing consulting presentations will help individuals craft clear, compelling, and memorable sales presentations. The exploration of the basic blocks of a McKinsey styled presentation will be helpful. The section on learning story telling for business may be useful for persuading prospective clients towards particular products or services. Finally, the instruction in essential body language techniques of public speaking will help Sales Managers present themselves as competent and trustworthy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are tasked with presenting marketing plans, campaign results, and market research findings to stakeholders. This course, which teaches the McKinsey presentation system, helps Marketing Managers improve their presentation skills and create a compelling narrative around their strategies. Learning to write powerful key messages, build smarter storylines, and use simple and complex charts can enhance the impact of marketing presentations. This will help Marketing Managers communicate complex ideas more powerfully.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts need to communicate complex financial data and insights to clients, investors, and internal stakeholders. This course focuses on building presentations in the style of management consulting, and teaches how to effectively present financial information. Learning to work with tables, words, graphics, and simple and complex charts can improve the clarity and impact of financial presentations. The course may be helpful for Financial Analysts who wish to communicate with greater persuasiveness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers must communicate product roadmaps, performance metrics, and strategic visions to cross-functional teams and leadership. This course, with its emphasis on the McKinsey presentation system, helps Product Managers become more effective communicators. By learning how to build smarter storylines and write powerful key messages, you can convey complex product information in a clear and compelling manner. The course covers topics such as using dot-dash storylines and the pyramid principle to craft a compelling narrative, which can enhance your effectiveness as a Product Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Training and Development Specialist

Training and Development Specialists are regularly tasked with designing and delivering training programs. This course, with its coverage of the McKinsey presentation system, may be useful for enhancing presentation skills and program design. The course may help Training and Development Specialists learn to present persuasive presentations. By learning to explore the basic blocks of a McKinsey styled presentation you may improve your presentation quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Specialist

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists are often tasked with presenting information to the public and media. This course, with its coverage of the McKinsey presentation system, may be useful for enhancing presentation skills. The course may help Public Relations Specialists learn to explore the basic blocks of a McKinsey styled presentation, which can translate to being more effective at their jobs. The instruction in handling a Q&A section and understanding essential body language techniques of public speaking may be useful for improving presentation skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts are responsible for presenting data analysis and insights to stakeholders. This course, with its emphasis on the McKinsey presentation system, may be useful for improving presentation skills and data communication. Learning to work with tables, words, and graphics, and understanding simple and complex charts may help Market Research Analysts communicate findings more effectively. The course's coverage on prioritizing findings from many analyses can improve the clarity of research reports.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Economist

Economists often present research findings and economic forecasts to various audiences. This course, which focuses on consulting presentations, may be useful for improving the clarity and impact of these presentations. Learning to work with tables, words, and graphics, and understanding simple and complex charts may assist Economists in enhancing the effectiveness of communication. The course's instruction on storytelling for business may be useful for making presentations more engaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Grant Writer

Grant Writers need to present persuasive proposals to secure funding for various projects. This course, focusing on presentation skills, may be useful for crafting compelling grant applications. It may give Grant Writers more of an eye for presenting the material in a grant proposal. Learning to write powerful key messages and build smarter storylines can improve the persuasiveness of grant proposals. The course's instruction of the pyramid principle may be useful for improving the structure of grant materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for communicating complex information in a clear and concise manner. This course, with its emphasis on presentation skills, may be useful for improving the effectiveness of communication. The course focuses on visual communications and presentation skills. Learning to work with tables, words, and graphics can help Technical Writers create more engaging documents. The instruction in using active phrasing examples may be useful for improving the clarity of technical writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers need to create engaging and effective learning materials. While this course focuses on presentation skills, it may be useful for improving the design and delivery of instructional content. Learning to build smarter storylines and work with tables, words, and graphics may help Instructional Designers create more compelling learning modules. This course may improve their ability to present information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Reading list

We've selected 48 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Management Consulting Presentation Essential Training.

The Grammar of Graphics

Save

Seminal work on the grammar of graphics, a formal language for describing data visualizations. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of the grammar of graphics to the use of the grammar of graphics to create a variety of charts and graphs.

The Grammar of Graphics (Statistics and Computing)

Hardcover

$$$$

The Grammar of Graphics (Statistics and Computing)...

Paperback Bunko

$$$$