Teachable Moments #24 - The Magical Number 3: Your Secret Weapon for Presentations, Brand Positioning, and More

Ang Woon Jiun

2/17/20251 min read

The Magical Number 3: Your Secret Weapon for Presentations, Brand Positioning, and More
The Magical Number 3: Your Secret Weapon for Presentations, Brand Positioning, and More

Want to make a memorable impact in your next presentation? Here’s a little trick—use the magical number 3. It’s simple, it’s powerful, and it’s scientifically proven to work wonders. Whether it’s in the structure of your points, brand positioning, or just about anything else, the number 3 makes everything stick.

Think about it—some of the best speeches and presentations are based around three key points. Why? Because our brains love things in threes. It’s the perfect balance: not too few to feel incomplete, and not too many to overwhelm us. We can remember it, process it, and repeat it. Boom—effective communication achieved!

Let’s break it down:

  • In Presentations: Try framing your message with three main takeaways. It’s neat, concise, and keeps your audience focused. Too many points? Forget it. Too few? Well, that's not enough to make an impression. Three is the sweet spot.

  • Brand Positioning: The most successful brands often position themselves around three core pillars—just think of Nike's “Inspiration, Innovation, and Performance” or Apple's “Think Different.” It’s a structure that’s easy for people to remember and identify with.

  • In Life: Three is simply the magic number for anything—three goals, three steps, three reasons. It keeps you on track and makes sure you're not losing sight of what matters.


So, next time you’re brainstorming your next big idea, remember: Less is more, but three is magic. Use it well, and watch your message soar!