each program year in tks, we do month long challenges with different global companies on impactful problems to solve. in 4 weeks, teams make executive standalone decks.
why challenges?
in my role as program director and coach
check out a few highlight standalone decks from selected partnerships.
problem statement: how might we identify major problems to tackle to start leading to a net zero carbon economy by 2050?
problem statement: how might we get more women and girls across the world more active in the digital economy by 2030?
problem statement: how might we get 1 million sign ups on new statewide digital, contactless tracing apps for covid-19?
additional challenges included
techstars boston:
how might we increase mentor engagement by 50%?
x-prize carbon capture:
how might we increase globale participation in our $100M challenge?
unicorn ($b) wearable:
how might we create data partnerships for increased customer experience?
kidogo: how might we scale early childhood development services out from nairobi, kenya?
1. identify a problem supported by data. understand what's causing the problem using case studies, industry data, and quantified research.
2. validate assumptions with perspective. talk with dozens of industry experts to support main assumptions.
3. include clear next steps. map out action items for a pilot to test and larger tactics for implementation.
4. design a great standalone deck. logical structure and flow of ideas paired with simple copy and great visuals.
this is a four week intensive training helping young people who have never worked before deliver professional consultant level results as well as train real world problem solving
session structure
topic: identify problems w/ case
skillset: team culture
mental model: m.e.c.e.
topic: make a mock up
skillset: slide design
mental model: first principles
topic: hypothesis driven ideas
skillset: asking good questions
mental model: nth order thinking
topic: problem identification
skillset: giving good feedback
mental model: inversion
mental models
what i would keep doing
what i would do differently
thank you to all of our challenge partners for giving your time, guidance, and feedback for helping the teams train problem solving skills 🙏
mckinsey mind by ethan rasiel
a great overview of processes and structured thinking that is used by one of the top consulting firms. this personally helped me train a consultant's way of breaking down probelms. check out the book →
calling bs: the art of skepticism by carl bergstrom
this books help build understanding for how to break down data driven assumptions and think critically for where things do not make sense check out the book →
mental model blog from farnam street
shane parish helps break down 100+ mental models with stories and examples of how to use them across different decision making and problem solving. check out the blog →
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