“Minimally Viable Communication: When Good Enough Is Great,” with Matt Abrahams, GSB Lecturer

TL;DR

Minimally viable product design principles can be applied to communication to quickly iterate and improve messages.

Transcript

Good enough is great. Perhaps not a concept you'd expect to hear at the business school, yet this notion of good enough is great underlies a lot of our entrepreneurial efforts. The concept of minimally viable product design is critical for bringing products to market. In this approach, you strive to get your product or service out there quickly so ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥅 Minimally viable communication involves understanding the audience, appreciating the context, creating a goal, ideating and focusing, structuring messages, and seeking feedback.
• 🙊 Deep breathing can help manage the physiological symptoms that arise from speaking anxiety.
• 🎁 Becoming present-oriented can help address worries about achieving communication goals.
• 🗣️ Confidence in speaking can be developed through practice and iteration.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is understanding the audience important in minimally viable communication?

Understanding the audience allows communicators to tailor their messages to meet their needs and expectations. By considering their knowledge, attitudes, and potential resistance points, communicators can deliver more effective and relevant messages.

Q: How can the concept of minimally viable communication be applied in a startup pitch?

The structure of a startup pitch might already be established, but the content can still benefit from minimally viable communication. Communicators can iterate and test their messages to ensure they present the problem, introduce the team, and discuss the market in the most impactful way.

Q: Is a call to action necessary in all communication?

While a call to action is not always required, communicators should consider whether it would be beneficial. A call to action can provide clarity and prompt the audience to take the desired next step. It doesn't have to be preachy and can be crafted in a soft and inviting manner.

Q: How can I train myself to speak with more confidence?

Confidence in speaking can be built through managing symptoms and addressing sources of anxiety. Deep breathing can help alleviate physiological symptoms, and becoming present-oriented can reduce worries about future outcomes. Practice recording yourself and watching the recordings can also aid in building confidence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Minimally viable product (MVP) design is essential in bringing products to market, starting with a simple version and gathering feedback for improvement.

• Minimally viable communication (MVC) follows a similar approach, understanding the audience, context, and goal, and structuring messages to elicit the desired response.

• The five steps of MVC include understanding the audience, appreciating the context, creating a goal, ideating and focusing, structuring messages, and seeking feedback.