Communication

KISS Review Framework

An action-orientated review model to convert past experience into practice.

The Golden Circle

For understanding how great leaders and orgs inspire action by starting with a clear sense of purpose.

AVP Model

A simple practice to accept the anxiety, anger or sadness and start embracing them.

7-38-55 Rule

Your presence speaks louder than your words.

TOPS Framework

Make your pitch or message clear, logical, and action-oriented.

Winston’s Star

Apply five communication elements to make ideas memorable and repeatable.

2 Minute Rule

Change up the content every two minutes to keep people engaged.

The Rule of Suspense

Reveal your points step by step.

PREP Framework

Deliver clear, structured arguments by stating your point first, proving it, and closing with clarity.

FIRE Model

Separate facts from interpretations to respond to feedback calmly and solve the real problem.

Zoom-In and Zoom-Out Model

Allows you to handle challenges with clarity, whether you need to see the big picture or focus on the details.

Self-Us-Now Framework

Help individuals and groups connect personal stories to collective action.

7C Pyramid Communication Framework

Aim to eliminate confusion and miscommunication in both verbal and written forms

Pixar Storytelling Formula

Turn complex ideas into clear cause-and-effect stories people remember.

Hero's Journey Storytelling Framework

A storytelling framework that makes your message relatable, memorable, and impactful in any context.

The Innovation Story Framework

Narrate how an idea was born, built, and scaled to demonstrate its real-world impact.

COST Principle

Help people to deliver strong messages or express complex ideas.

Magic Loop Framework

Capture feedback, act on it, make changes stick, and report back with clarity.

RIDE Communication Framework

Help you persuade effectively, build trust, and gain support in any professional setting.

Freytag’s Pyramid

Helps communicators control emotional rhythm and attention over time.

SCR Framework

Resolve complications with concise, executive-ready solutions.

SCQA Framework

Structure complex messages into a clear narrative that leads the audience to your conclusion.

Pyramid Principle

Structured communication framework which is supporting your point with logically organized details and effective information delivery.

COST Principle: Streamline Your Communication

Help people to deliver strong messages or express complex ideas.

FRAMEWORK CARD

COST Principle

Goal
Align internal thinking with external communication to prevent confusion and rambling.
Flow Summary
Clarify → Organize → Simplify → Transfer
Best For
Business Meetings; Writing Reports; Everyday Conversations

The Alignment Gap

Have you ever tried to explain a complex idea, only to feel more confused as you spoke? It’s frustrating, right? This often happens when our thinking and communication aren’t aligned.

The COST principle is here to fill the gaps.

It's an effective way to streamline your thoughts and ensure that every piece of information is concise and powerful.

The COST principle focuses on four key steps to improve how we express and transfer our ideas.

  • C - Clarify
  • O - Organize
  • S - Simplify
  • T - Transfer

Core Concept of the COST Principle

Clarify

The first step is to clarify the idea in your mind. If you are not able to identify the core message, no one else can.

When your thoughts are clear, it's easier to organize them and communicate them effectively.

Ask yourself: What is the main point I want to convey? What is essential for my audience to understand?

Organize

Once your idea is clear, the next step is to organize your thoughts logically.

This step involves arranging your ideas in a structure that makes sense and is easy for others to follow. The goal is to create a flow that guides the audience smoothly from one point to the next.

Please refer to these communication frameworks to better organize information.

Simplify

Complexity can easily confuse your audience and hide your main message.

After clarifying, organizing, and transferring your ideas, take time to simplify, along with body language, your choice of words matters.

For example, when explaining a technical incident to business teams or customers, avoid diving into technical details or system architecture. These audiences care more about the solution and the impact, not the technical explanation.

Transfer

The third step is transferring the organized information to your audience.

Tone and body language shape communication (refer to 7-38-55 Rule), choosing the right approaches for your message. When you are communicating to a group in a meeting, writing an email, or presenting in a public speech, please adapt the right approaches to ensure the message is understood by your audience.