Day One, Done

⏰ Today in 5 minutes or less:

• Clients trust you when they know you ‘get it.’

• You only need one page to prove your expertise on the first week.

• The Gantt chart is a great way to keep project timelines on track.

Proving Your Expertise with One Page: The SCI Framework

Come in swinging. I have the one-page solution you need.  

Clients trust you when they know you ‘get it.’

Show them fast.  

Show them simply.  

I use the SCI framework to play back the problem on one page, in week one.  

It’s magic.  

This tool is your best friend when it comes to defining a problem, staying aligned, and building credibility from the first week – all without the need for lengthy reports.   

What Is the SCI Framework? 

SCI stands for Situation, Complication, and Implication. It’s a concise, one-page framework that distills the problem into three critical components: 

• Situation: The baseline. Here, you outline the current state of affairs – the key facts and context the client knows about their situation. This gives everyone in the SteerCo a shared understanding of where things stand. 

   

• Complication: The obstacle. This section highlights why the current situation is problematic. What are the challenges or complexities making it difficult for the organization to move forward? This is where you show your expertise by identifying the deeper issues. 

• Implication: The urgency. What happens if the problem isn’t addressed? What are the risks of inaction? The implication section makes the case for why solving the problem is necessary, helping the SteerCo see why they need you. 

How SCI Helps Build Credibility 

The beauty of the SCI framework lies in its simplicity. In just one page, you can define the problem in a way that’s clear, concise, and strategic. 

Presenting this to a client shows you’ve already thought through the issue and can get to the heart of it quickly. It builds trust because it demonstrates you’re organized, focused, and in control. 

The Bottom Line: SCI Can Help You Make a Lasting Impression 

Using SCI isn’t just about impressing clients – it’s about keeping everyone on the same page. 

The one-page framework gives you a powerful tool to define problems, align stakeholders, and quickly establish yourself as the expert. 

Next time you start a project, try SCI. 

It’s a game-changer for building credibility and driving results. 

Framework Focus: Gantt Chart

How do you save your project (and sanity) when all the deadlines are looming overhead? 

I’ve seen my fair share of project chaos – clients juggling too many moving parts, deadlines slipping through the cracks, and resources stretched thinner than paper.  

Cue in, the Gantt chart. 

This fancy spreadsheet is extremely annoying to make, but it will put your project back on track. 

Imagine working with a tech startup tangled in product development timeline. 

You can use the Gantt chart to map out every milestone from design to launch. 

This can help you see potential issues with the timeline. For example, if the testing dates overlap with another key phase, it will cause delays in the entire process. 

But as soon as you see these conflicts, it’s easier to adjust the schedule – like giving testing its own focus time. 

The result? The project stays on track, the client is relieved, and there’s no last-minute scrambling. 

Save time with this template.

Can You Survive The Corporate Trail?

You beat The Oregon Trail. Now, try beating burnout. 

Goof off today with The Corporate Trail created by Maggie Winters.

It’s a workplace version of the classic game where you need to balance well-being, likability, and tough choices as a female leader. 

It’s painfully accurate. 

I played. I died in Q2. Sounds about right.

Will you survive Q4?  

💼 See if you’re qualified…

• Senior Business Strategy Manager at Microsoft, 4+ years of strategy or management consulting experience, ~$133k-219k 

• Strategy and Operations Manager for Global Ecoystems Sale at Cash App, 4+ years of strategy and business operations experience, ~$135k-245k 

• Strategy Consultant at Humana, 2+ years of strategy consulting experience, ~$95k-130k 

• Strategy Manager at Major League Baseball, 3+ years of strategy consulting experience, ~$115k-150k 

• Change Management Consultant for Energy at Jobot Consulting, 5+ years of management consulting experience, ~$140k-190k 

Remember, the path to success is paved with continuous learning and embracing fresh perspectives.

Let's stay connected, share ideas, and elevate your consulting business.

Stay curious, friends.

The 2×2 is brought to you by Keenan Reid Strategies

Having trouble viewing this email? Check out this and past issues on our website.

Was this newsletter forwarded? Someone is looking out for you. You should definitely subscribe!