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

P.S. Thanks for your patience whilst I took an unplanned 2 month break from my Newsletters over the Dec - Jan period to focus on quality time with my kids. With my eldest starting Prep last week it was a time I knew I wouldn't get again, so I had to grab it. If you have any specific topics you'd like covered in 2025, shoot me an email and I can write about it for you!?

P.P.S. If you have communication/speaking/storytelling goals you'd like my support with this year, let me know. Either send me an email, or book in a Discovery Call here. I'll let you know how I could help.?

P.P.P.S. This is the last one I promise. If you're curious to have a browse yourself, you can check-out my Services here or what my amazing Clients say about working with me?here.?

Hey, I'm Emily Edgeley, a Public Speaking Coach for the Tech industry. Since 2017 I've transformed the lives of thousands, by helping them to communicate with more power. I've run 300+ group coaching sessions, coached more than 250 people privately, and helped more than 100+ others give their first ever Conf talk.?

I'm on a mission to help people in Tech communicate with clarity, impact, and confidence. To boost your brand, career and industry influence.?

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