Well-designed docs are beautiful, but this presents a problem: You must actively ignore how good the document looks to avoid being fooled. Stay skeptical.
Agreed, obviously both is the best case scenario. I’m talking about how realistically that’s often not the case, and our job as a leader is not to be fooled and to try to see clearly.
In investment, a common misconception equates comprehensive, complex modeling spreadsheets with deep analysis. To counter this, write a text-only one-page summary of the investment thesis. A compelling and differentiated thesis conveyed concisely is far more valuable than an elaborate model. One investor I respect used to insist on just 3 bullet points on the first page. The brevity leaves no room for mediocrity or consensus views.
Totally agree on overusing templates. I see it very often that a very generic template is being created, but all copies have many paragraphs empty, so the final document is long but empty in terms of actual information.
I think we are attuned to pick the doc that is more appealing to the eye. I agree while simple doc with right content is worthwhile. Perhaps a good balance between the 2 might be the way to go
As an engineering manager, unfortunately I rarely have this problem. All the docs I get look bad 😂
I want to see both: strategic thinking expressed in great design.
Agreed, obviously both is the best case scenario. I’m talking about how realistically that’s often not the case, and our job as a leader is not to be fooled and to try to see clearly.
In investment, a common misconception equates comprehensive, complex modeling spreadsheets with deep analysis. To counter this, write a text-only one-page summary of the investment thesis. A compelling and differentiated thesis conveyed concisely is far more valuable than an elaborate model. One investor I respect used to insist on just 3 bullet points on the first page. The brevity leaves no room for mediocrity or consensus views.
I LOVE this example Joyce, thank you.
I think this is one of the main reason Amazon bans PowerPoint or other tools for writing docs.
Totally agree on overusing templates. I see it very often that a very generic template is being created, but all copies have many paragraphs empty, so the final document is long but empty in terms of actual information.
I think we are attuned to pick the doc that is more appealing to the eye. I agree while simple doc with right content is worthwhile. Perhaps a good balance between the 2 might be the way to go