Many beginning consultants — especially those recently graduated from top economics, math, and engineering programs — do not know how to effectively guide clients using statistics. They have read Kotter, Tufte, Block, Minto, and Porter, but few have read Huff’s timeless 1954 classic, How to Lie With Statistics. A beginning playbook might read as follows.
- Omit sample size, confidence, and any greeks (”The blindfolded leading the blind.”)
- Sample high, but use a flawed methodology to drive action from biased conclusions (”Measure with a micrometer, mark with a crayon, cut with an axe.”)
- Sample low, or at least sub-sample until the means tell an insightful story (”Throw it against the wall and see what sticks. Okay, throw it again.”)
But let us not focus on lies; let us focus on truths, if only for a moment in the workday. Over my six years in consulting and eight combined months of experience in [your industry], I have found these four graphs unusally helpful for communicating a few difficult but common messages. Today I elect to share this $920 of billable work with you for free.
Ben Says:
April 13th, 2007 at 1:19 pmVisit Ben
This is amazing.
totaldickhead Says:
April 13th, 2007 at 1:40 pmVisit totaldickhead
And people wonder what I do all day? Even on my catamaran, I do get *some* work done, occasionally.
TDinTraining Says:
April 13th, 2007 at 1:59 pmVisit TDinTraining
I find the last graph a bit alarming… I think Starbucks might be doing some of their own research, last time I ordered a venti gold coast dead eye, they made me sign a waiver…
TheJBomb Says:
April 13th, 2007 at 9:56 pmVisit TheJBomb
Mensamember, your graphs and pictures are very impressive. I can tell that you have moved beyond Powerpoint, something I hope to do someday.
MileHighClub Says:
April 13th, 2007 at 10:35 pmVisit MileHighClub
Pithy but not self-effacing enough. Try again Charlie Brown.
mensamember Says:
April 17th, 2007 at 11:21 amVisit mensamember
MileHighClub,
Thank you for your interesting comment. I agree with “pithy”, but need to push back and suggest that the value you place on self-effacing qualities is misguided. Let me gently suggest that you misunderstood the definition of self-effacing. Self-effacing means reticent or reserved in manner; bashful, coy, shy, demure; timid; modest. Therefore my pieces will always be deficient by this measure. When did you ever know a management consultant who was modest? I am neither lovable nor a loser ala Charlie Brown, yet as my nom de plume would accurately imply, I am indeed a Mensa member.
Innovating presentations - death of PowerPoint « AccMan Says:
April 17th, 2007 at 9:16 pmVisit Innovating presentations - death of PowerPoint « AccMan
[...] The Getting Drunk In First Class lot might giggle as well. But then when they come up with these pearls (the pic comes from there), you’ve got to admit that some people’s talents are going [...]
Getting Drunk in First Class » Shame on Bain’s Lame Claim by Says:
October 7th, 2007 at 5:47 pmVisit Getting Drunk in First Class » Shame on Bain’s Lame Claim by
[...] here is a company who understands consulting! Bain knows how to mislead with statistics. Some version of the following graphic is always the bain.com hood [...]