Master the First Minute: The Secret to Clear and Effective Communication at Work

A few months ago, we kicked off a seemingly simple project: launching a lightweight version of Bikes24, our platform for discovering and booking bikes.

The original plan? 8 design pages in Figma. Focused MVP.

“Let’s ship this in 6–8 weeks.”

What actually happened?

Design evolved — we ended up with 18 pages
We started frontend work before backend APIs were fully ready
Multiple business priorities interrupted delivery flow
Context kept shifting, and alignment slipped

It ultimately took 20+ weeks to get out the door.

Of course, that’s not unusual in product teams. But reflecting on it now, there was a root cause we didn’t talk about enough:

Yes, we wasted a lot of time in unclear conversations, especially in the first minute.

And that’s exactly why The First Minute by Chris Fenning resonated so deeply when I read it recently.

Overview

The First Minute is a tactical book that helps professionals communicate more clearly, efficiently, and purposefully. Whether you're in a 1:1, sending an email, giving an update, or presenting a problem. Basically how you begin matters more than you think.

The core idea: Most communication breakdowns happen in the first 60 seconds.

Fix that and you drastically reduce confusion, misalignment, and back-and-forth.

The Problem with Business Communication

Most conversations start with rambling backstory, unclear asks, or buried priorities.
As a result, we lose attention, create misunderstanding, and extend timelines unnecessarily.
Especially in cross-functional teams, poor starts compound into misalignment and friction.

The SCQ Framework (Situation – Complication – Question)

Fenning introduces a simple and repeatable framework:

Situation – What are we talking about?
Complication – What’s changed or what’s wrong?
Question – What do I need from you?

This structure (called SCQ) gets to the point fast and helps everyone engage immediately.

Instead of this:

“So I was checking the updated user journey, and the design team added a couple more steps, which might cause issues with routing…”

Try doing this:

“Design has added steps to the user flow [situation]. It may affect how routing is handled [complication]. Can we align on whether to build this now or defer? [question]”

Why SCQ Works

It matches how the human brain processes stories: we want context, a conflict, and then resolution
People engage quicker when they know the point
It reduces the cognitive load of “figuring out what this person is saying”

Key Use Cases

1:1 meetings – Avoid wandering updates; instead, use SCQ to present progress and blockers
Emails – Lead with the ask; don’t bury it
Status reports – Use structured framing for updates
Difficult conversations – SCQ helps defuse confusion and focus on clarity

So, what This Meant for Our Bikes24 Project

Looking back, The First Minute could’ve saved us weeks of backtracking.

For example, in Week 4, we had design scope expanding again, backend not fully ready, and unclear priorities. Here’s how I used to start syncs:

“So the new design came in — looks like there are changes to the booking flow. I think we might need to update routing, and the API sequencing may shift again…”

Nobody knew what the actual decision was.

After applying Framing:

“Design has changed the booking flow [situation]. This impacts routing and backend sequencing [complication]. I want us to decide today if we freeze scope this sprint or absorb the changes [question].”

That small shift led to faster alignment and fewer follow-up discussions.

Real Application: GPS Framework in Tech Context

Fenning also introduces another great tool: GPS (Goal, Problem, Solution).

It’s especially useful when you're providing a more detailed update or summary.

Example: Cloudflare-Based IP Location Detection

We wanted to personalise the CARS24 new-cars user experience based on the city but browser geolocation wasn’t reliable.

Here’s how we framed that update in a team sync:

Goal: Automatically detect user city to personalize search, testdrive, and visibility.

Problem: Browser-based location prompts were inconsistent; many users blocked or ignored them.

Solution: We implemented a Cloudflare Worker to capture the user’s origin IP and enrich it with city, state, and country. We then mapped that city to our internal city identifiers using business rules. This allowed us to deliver a consistent experience across modules, without needing active location access.

This structure helped engineers, product managers, and even marketing stay aligned without diving into unnecessary technical weeds.

And what Changed After I Read the Book?

I prep my “first minute” before calls or meetings

Just 30 seconds of thinking:

→ What is this about?

→ Why does it matter now? → What am I asking for?

Slack messages are structured

“Need input on Bikes24’s location detection [situation].

Cloudflare worker is now returning enriched IP data [complication].

Should we roll this into default filters for city search? [question]”

Standups feel more focused

Not: “Working on city tracking.”

But:

“Goal: Auto-detect city to personalise homepage.

Problem: Previous geo logic was unreliable.

Solution: Using Cloudflare worker + internal city mapping.”

We don’t waste time repeating ourselves anymore because updates are framed clearly upfront.

Final Thoughts

The First Minute isn’t about becoming a “better speaker.” It’s about not wasting time in the first place. And if you’re in a role where you're frequently navigating changing priorities, coordinating across teams, or driving decisions. Thankfully, this skill compounds fast.

In tech, momentum dies in meetings that go nowhere. But momentum builds when we start conversations clearly, with intent.

I wish I had read this book 6 months earlier. But I’m glad I have it now, and my team is already seeing the difference.

Have you faced similar delays due to unclear starts or fuzzy updates? Would love to hear what tools or habits helped you bring clarity into the chaos.