Make the Case

Explore the two core logical structures in business problem solving: deductive logic and inductive logic. Learn how the pyramid principle organizes governing thought, supporting ideas, and evidence.

Define the problem by the governing thought, use the pyramid principle to create a data‑driven hypothesis tree, and validate business decisions with inductive reasoning and targeted analyses.

Frame the problem shows how to turn thought into testable hypotheses by breaking issues into a hypothesis tree, applying mutually exclusive and collectively exhausted logic and the 80-20 rule.

Define the plan by outlining essential questions, guiding research and analysis, and shaping a prioritized workplan that tests hypotheses about market size, growth, segmentation, and feasibility.

Develop a five-step case method: enumerate options, assess inputs, select by stage, sequence interdependencies to reveal the critical path, and update stakeholders; define the issue and plan.

Execute a fact-based research and analysis phase within the Magnetize framework, applying planning, strategic thinking, and data from interviews, press clippings, and databases to support or refute a case.

Apply a two-variable framework of financial and strategic implications to balance data collection with decision impact, using a simple matrix and four layers to tailor evidence for your audience.

Apply a four-layer framework to determine the appropriate level of effort for research and analyses in procurement and brand-extension cases, balancing strategic and financial implications and avoiding analysis paralysis.

Assess level of effort for research and analyses in level two startup cases, balancing strategic and financial implications. Build an investor pitch with value proposition, opportunity, go-to-market.

Explain the level of effort for layer three research by outlining labor, property, and moving costs, plus strategic and financial implications of relocating a regional headquarters.

Delve into the fourth layer of level-of-effort research in M&A, evaluating financial viability, strategic fit, integration choices, and the role of external advisers and storytelling in persuading leaders.

Develop a compelling case by integrating storytelling with analytical insights, addressing the emotional elephant behind decisions, and building executive summaries, sled writing, and storyboarding into your communication plan.

Craft action titles that clearly summarize the slide’s main message and align with the supporting content to ensure vertical flow with concise visuals and a data-driven kicker.

Storyboarding creates a flexible outline to test the order of ideas and shape the presentation’s look and flow across slides using vertical and horizontal flows.

apply the pyramid principle to storyboarding by organizing ideas in a hierarchical, major-minor structure and mapping them to a horizontal flow with an executive summary guiding the narrative.

Develop a storyboard from a first draft, sketch ideas in PowerPoint or on paper, anticipate audience expectations, then adapt pre-existing slides to support a clear recommendation and why it matters.

Synthesize the executive summary to quickly acquaint readers with the case, using the elevator pitch and pyramid principle, while setting tone, attracting attention, and prepping the audience.

Make the case trains you to use storytelling across brands, missions, and finance, building credibility with executive summaries, problems, methods, results, and a persuasive call for support.

Learn five storytelling approaches for workplace decisions, from sharing best practices and learnings to a single recommendation, plus U.S.-driven, workshop-driven, war plan, and workplan styles, with practical business examples.

Learn to prepare a case with logical structure and storytelling while managing audience conflict via a two-axis framework of confidence and conflict levels across scenarios.

Present a direct recommendation in the executive summary when confidence is high and conflict is low, outline implications and next steps, and frame scenarios for discussion with the audience.

Craft an executive summary that states the recommendation clearly, shows data robustness, presents options with level of effort, and signals alignment with the audience as work in progress or final.

manage politics with low confidence by validating your research approach, focusing on the methodology before insights, and presenting preliminary implications to persuade and guide your audience.

Explore key concepts of peace, structuring, hypothesis, validation, and work game planning to boost your strategic thinking and improve case positioning through storytelling and persuasive communication.