Start with the point
Utilize the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) framework in your business communications to clearly state the issue, why it matters, and suggested action steps right at the beginning of your communication, regardless of type (email, meeting agenda item, presentation, etc.) to best orient and organize your audience’s time, attention, and decision-making efforts. Doing this well will get you noticed, appreciated, and fast tracked for promotion. Start practicing this approach today so as to quickly get the hang of it and to start getting people’s attention as somebody who is ready to be effective at the next level.
See what I did there? Or at least tried to do? I was using the BLUF framework to show you how using the BLUF framework takes the initial attention your audience is giving you and quickly and efficiently gives them the “What?” (use the BLUF approach), the “So what?” (to gain career traction), and the “Now what?” (start practicing today) for next steps.
Why does this matter? Developing and improving your communication abilities is a powerful catalyst for rapid career advancement, and something that is entirely within your control. One of the best skills to develop here is to communicate relevant information quickly and efficiently, and to then immediately follow it up with specific recommendations if appropriate. Using the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) framework to organize your emails, presentations, and other workplace communications will help you stay focused on getting the essential points of the communication across while also still allowing room for more detailed supporting info to follow.
This BLUF approach is counter to the “getting to the point” style that so many people use where they START by laying out all kinds of details in an effort to build up to the point and make a thorough case for it, only giving the conclusion/recommendation at the end.
THAT approach wastes everybody’s time, and many in the audience (whether it’s an audience of 1 or 100) will check out and lose interest as the seconds tick away. By the time the presenter gets to their conclusion or recommendation their audience has lost focus and aren’t able or willing to move forward with smart questions or helpful decisions/suggestions. Even worse, the presenter is now held in LESS regard by the audience than when they started talking to them! Not a good place to be…
As an example, here’s an email that DOESN’T use the BLUF approach:
“Anna, these last 3 weeks of rolling out the new software have been going really well, if just a bit hectic as well. We’ve had some great successes, and of course have experienced some challenges along the way. Most of these challenges are in the process of being addressed, but some seem to be a bit trickier than we first imagined. Are you still planning on coming in next week? If so, I can talk to more about them then. If not, can you recommend somebody back there on the design team who I might be able to reach out to for help? I know you’re all busy back there but I don’t want these delays to go on much further.”
And here’s the same email, written out in the BLUF style:
“Anna, we’re stuck on a few key issues in this software roll out. We’re in danger of falling behind and I’d like to have everything running smoothly before you get here next week. Can you please connect me with somebody on the design team so I can get them resolved ASAP?”
Notice the first one is kind of rambling, seems more worried about tone, and is a bit wishy washy. Now look at the BLUF one. Clean, clear, and focused. The “What?”, “So what?”, and “Now what?” components are right there, all in a row.
Which one do you think Anna, a busy Executive, appreciates more?
Busy Executives like Anna focus their time on solving problems and making decisions. They aren’t interested in sitting through a 15-minute PowerPoint as you mumble your way through some charts and graphs, slowly leading up to your recommendation. Using the BLUF approach allows you to clearly articulate the issue, say why it’s a problem, and advocate for your solution right up front. You can provide more research data, stats, and other parts of your analysis in the body of the email or in the meat of your presentation.
“Start with the point” via the BLUF framework to save everybody some time and effort with your communciations, and most importantly, to save yourself some time and effort in getting promoted!
