The Menu Technique – A Winning Formula For Short Stakeholder Updates
Have you ever noticed…… when you order from a restaurant, the information is always layered (top down)?
I.E. They share a short and sharp bit of info first, then more detail.
You don’t generally read it (or hear it) like this:
Because it’s hard to process the information when it’s shared like that.
Plus sometimes we don’t even need the extra level of detail!
We might be happy to make a decision to order the House Cheeseburger, regardless of knowing every ingredient that’s inside it.
The weird thing is, this technique is so simple, yet it’s not often followed in the Corporate world.
A lot of people fall into the trap of sharing the detail first, then summarising it at the end.
Here’s a great example of this in action that I came across recently.
So, our apartment complex has an outdoor pool. This is amazing because I have two small kids. Say no more eh!?
However, late last year we got an email from the Body Corporate advising that the pool would be out of action – ALL SUMMER…..
Yes. Seriously could there not have been a better time!? 🤦🏻♀️ (Apparently not, because the pool is leaking to the cafe underneath and the Body Corporate are getting sued. But still, bad timing right!?)
Anyhow, once I got over the initial disappointment, now I’m eagerly waiting updates regarding how it’s going.
So, each fortnight we’ve been getting a progress update sent via email.
However they’re making a very common mistake in these updates.
MISTAKE = They’re putting the most crucial piece of info at the end.
E.g. This is how they’re structuring their update:
Tasks completed previously
- Tasks details etc
Tasks completed this week
- Tasks details etc
- Tasks coming up
- Tasks details etc
How we are tracking to the timeline
- This has the status update buried somewhere in a paragraph that crosses 3 lines.
This is all wrong…..
Why!?
Every time I open that email, all I care about is:
“Are you on track, or off track?”
If I have extra time, or brain power, I might be curious to know what they’ve been up to and why they’re off track (if at all).
So, what they should be doing instead is as follows:
CORRECTION – Put the status update upfront and keep it short.
E.g. This is how I’d recommend they structure their email update:
STATUS UPDATE – On Track / Behind
Tasks completed previously
- Tasks details etc
Tasks completed this week
- Tasks details etc
Tasks coming up
- Tasks details etc
This very simple switchero makes such a difference!
It doesn’t matter if it’s a written, or verbal update. It works for both.
If you’re needing to give an update (or response) to stakeholders, it’s a pretty fail-safe structure to follow.
IN SUMMARY
If you’re the type of person who generally dives into the detail, try and stick to layering your information, the right way.
Remember the Menu Technique = Short summary. Then detail.
You’ll be seen as someone who provides concise, to the point updates. Which is a great for your personal brand!
Cheers,
Emily
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