About the Author

Davina is Managing Director of Clarity Thought Partners. Davina blends her education and consulting experience to design and deliver innovative and engaging programs for clients. Having begun her working life as a school teacher, she retrained and moved into corporate affairs in a multinational company before joining McKinsey in Hong Kong as a communication specialist. She worked for The Firm in a range of full-time, part-time and freelance capacities over 18 years, helping consultants clarify their thinking so they could communicate clearly with their clients. She now supports the partners and consultants from another top-tier firm, as well as many other clients. Gerard is Co-Founder of Clarity Thought Partners. Gerard blends his straight-talking abilities with a sharp intellect and a great sense of humour to help his clients get to the point quickly. Having also begun his career as a school teacher, Gerard joined McKinsey in Sydney in 1987, where he was one of the most respected communication specialists globally. He branched out on his own seven years later to help clients with their communication and change management projects, where he has won awards for the quality of his work. Gerard is about as connected as you can get in Australian business. He has worked with people at every level of business, consulting and government, and is at times referred to in the press as a 'nameless consultant' helping 'so and so'. McKinsey still calls Gerard to help on discrete client projects. Gerard is Co-Founder of Clarity Thought Partners. Gerard blends his straight-talking abilities with a sharp intellect and a great sense of humour to help his clients get to the point quickly. Having also begun his career as a school teacher, Gerard joined McKinsey in Sydney in 1987, where he was one of the most respected communication specialists globally. He branched out on his own seven years later to help clients with their communication and change management projects, where he has won awards for the quality of his work. Gerard is about as connected as you can get in Australian business. He has worked with people at every level of business, consulting and government, and is at times referred to in the press as a 'nameless consultant' helping 'so and so'. McKinsey still calls Gerard to help on discrete client projects.

Reviews

'This book is a wonderful guide for anyone who wants to master topdown, message-driven communication, including an elevator pitch. The book practises what it preaches. It is focused on a few key areas - communicating the "So what?", and it provides enough explanation and examples for you to master it, but not so much that you have to wade through repetitive pages.'
- Teresa Woodland, leadership expert and communication coach, Pittsburgh USA'This could be the best investment that you make this year to improve yourself: my former McKinsey colleagues Davina Stanley and Gerard Castles have just published a guide to helping people get traction behind their ideas. It's about ensuring that you've been understood so that you can engage people to get things done. Highly recommended.'
- Robert Lakin, Co-founder, Analytika Research, Tel Aviv'I highly recommend The So What Strategy. Davina Stanley and GerardCastles have done a remarkable job putting this book together.'
- Steve Shu, Management Consultant, Los Angeles, California