How to be BRIEF

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The Keys to Brevity

  1. Map it. Use Brief Maps to condense and trim.
  2. Tell it. Use Narrative storytelling to explain clearly.
  3. Show it. Have TALC conversations rather than monologues.
  4. Talk it. Use visuals to capture the imagination.

The BRIEF map

The map keeps you on track to present everything succinctly and concisely.

  • The Headline.
    • The takeaway message you want them to remember.

  • (B) Background. 
    • Why you have come here. 
      • "What is the current situation, issue, or problem?"
      • "Is there a story or anecdote to start?"
      • Link back to the previous meeting, or offer.
  • (R) Reason or Relevance.
    • Give your headline.
      • "What I am telling you this?"
      • "What does it really mean to my audience?"
      • "What do I want them to do with the information?"
        • Share, agree, comment, and move forward.
  • (I) Information.
    • Set out the three key elements or points you will be discussing today
      • "What key pieces of information or ideas do I need to share to give my audience a clearer understanding of the situation?"
        • Facts, figures, examples
  • (E) Ending.
    • You signal you're finished and outline the next few steps which will happen.
      • "If you're OK with X, I will Y and delivery information"
  • (F) Follow up.
    • You anticipate what questions they might have and finish by covering those key points.
      • "What questions do I anticipate at the end?"
      • "What questions should I ask them to get them talking"
      • If there are no comments or questions, they don't get it.

The Narrative Map

  • The focal point (or center bubble). 
    • This is the central part of a narrative. 
    • It's a headline, which explains and isolates the point of the story.
  • Setup or challenge. 
    • "What challenge, conflict, or issue exists in the marketplace your organization is addressing?" 
    • "Why does this problem exist?"
    • "Who contributes to it?"
  • Opportunity. 
    • "What is the implication or the opportunity for your organization?"
    • This is what some people call an unmet need or an aha moment. 
    • This is something you could use to effect change or to address and resolve an issue.
  • Approach. 
    • "How does your story unfold?"
    • "What are the three or four characters or key elements?"
    • "What is the how, where, and when?"
  • Payoff. 
    • "How do you resolve the setup from the beginning?"
    • "How is that going to benefit a customer, an employee, the industry, or the community? 
    • "Where does that story conclude?" 
    • "Who sees the benefits?"

The TALC Map

You've got to replace monologues with controlled conversations.
  • (T) Talk. 
    • Let them say what they want to say, whether it takes 1 or 10 min
  • (AL) Actively Listen. 
    • Listen with interest the entire time.
    • Ask open-ended questions and tap into the parts which interest you.
  • (C) Converse.

Talk it

  • Start by Googling your topic and see what's already out there.
  • Do some live drawings during your presentation.
  • Videos
    • Look for short videos that are already available online that tie in with your key point.
      • Duration Around 3 - 4 minutes.
      • Quality of your material. Video clips with an amateurish look and feel aren't good.
    • Make your own short video.
    • Try and inject both educational and entertainment elements into each video clip. 
    • If you have a complex topic, break it down into episodes or create a series.
  • Use a whiteboard to illustrate your ideas.
  • Bring in small items for show-and-tell style presentations.
  • Replace frequently used words with icons to make our material stand out.

When and Where Should You Be Brief

  • Meetings
  • Social media and email
  • Sales pitches
  • Presentations
  • Explaining big ideas
  • Giving updates
  • Delivering good news
  • Delivering bad news

References

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