I was reading SpeakernetNews, an online newsletter when I came across the following tidbit from Lynda McDaniel (lynda_mcd@msn.com).
Storytelling in promotional materials — Lynda McDaniel
Speakers are great storytellers, but they often forget to use stories in their writing and promotional materials. They know that the stories they tell go straight to the heart. Same is true in writing. Stories tap into our emotions and don’t require the processing that more formal writing does. When you promote yourself, share a story about John, who wrote you after your speech and told you how his life had changed. Or Mary, who contacted you from her new job — thanks, in part, to your motivation. You’ve got success stories that will bring you even more success.
Obviously this is geared towards speakers but the same is true for anyone with promotional materials. And don't limit it to just the written material, those 30 second introductions could become the customer of the week story. Crafted properly, 4 lines in less than 30 seconds can tell the story. People will remember the story, enough stories and people get the whole picture of the services you offer.
carolmon@carolmon.com
Friday, June 27, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Build the Team
This week I gained a new client. She works for a company that requires all new employees to present themselves at a staff meeting, thereby allowing her new co-workers to get to know her. She is panicked about this and asked for help telling her story.
What a great way to build bonds and a team. It doesn't matter whether it is a large or small operation the work group is generally small and giving everyone an opportunity to get to know the new kid on the block is a great way to speed up the process of building team confidences. The stories do not need to be formal but authentic. Informal is best, it is the sharing and getting to know one another that helps build the team, it creates a shared experience much like Outward Bound does without the expense or danger of a ropes course.
It reminds me of a piece in Lou Holtz's book, "Wins, Losses, and Lessons" He recounts a problem he had with a very talented team. He took over and expected to do well because of the depth of talent. At the end of the season the team had the worst season record in the program's 108 history. Things went from bad to worse when at least two team members were arrested on drug charges. He asked how the team could trust him so little that no one felt comfortable telling him what was going on. After an extended silent period one of the players said "Coach it's not you I don't trust, its my teammates." Wow, there was the problem, a team with no internal trust; no wonder they could not play together.
After that incident every evening practice started with 4 or 5 players standing and telling a bit of their story so that the team could really get to know each other. That season the team went on to a bowl game. Stories can build trust and team cohesiveness whether on the field or in the corporate office. Think about how you can use stories in your work, business or office. It just might be the best thing you do for your bottom line this year.
Carol Mon
www.carolmon.com
What a great way to build bonds and a team. It doesn't matter whether it is a large or small operation the work group is generally small and giving everyone an opportunity to get to know the new kid on the block is a great way to speed up the process of building team confidences. The stories do not need to be formal but authentic. Informal is best, it is the sharing and getting to know one another that helps build the team, it creates a shared experience much like Outward Bound does without the expense or danger of a ropes course.
It reminds me of a piece in Lou Holtz's book, "Wins, Losses, and Lessons" He recounts a problem he had with a very talented team. He took over and expected to do well because of the depth of talent. At the end of the season the team had the worst season record in the program's 108 history. Things went from bad to worse when at least two team members were arrested on drug charges. He asked how the team could trust him so little that no one felt comfortable telling him what was going on. After an extended silent period one of the players said "Coach it's not you I don't trust, its my teammates." Wow, there was the problem, a team with no internal trust; no wonder they could not play together.
After that incident every evening practice started with 4 or 5 players standing and telling a bit of their story so that the team could really get to know each other. That season the team went on to a bowl game. Stories can build trust and team cohesiveness whether on the field or in the corporate office. Think about how you can use stories in your work, business or office. It just might be the best thing you do for your bottom line this year.
Carol Mon
www.carolmon.com
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Story as Persuasion
Last night I caught the end of Robin Williams' movie "RV". The character played by Robin Williams was about to lose his job when he was brought into a merger meeting. His co-worker stood to deliver the presentation and began spewing a lot of facts and figures. The principals of the other company asked what was in it for them other than money. The presenter was flummoxed and started sputtering. Williams stood and began to tell a STORY of what the world used to be like and how even just a little bit of the world could be like that again. The end result the smaller company was interested and agreed to more talks. Story persuaded.
Remember that power when you have to deliver a presentation especially if you are looking for buy-in to an idea. Your story may not be as well scripted as Robin's but that's okay, a so-so story told well has the same impact as a great story told in a so-so manner. Learn to craft and tell great stories; you'll be unstoppable!
Need help, www.carolmon.com
Remember that power when you have to deliver a presentation especially if you are looking for buy-in to an idea. Your story may not be as well scripted as Robin's but that's okay, a so-so story told well has the same impact as a great story told in a so-so manner. Learn to craft and tell great stories; you'll be unstoppable!
Need help, www.carolmon.com
Monday, June 9, 2008
Stories for Persuassion
Recently I was writing an article for an NSA newsletter and it reminded me of Stephen Denning's book, "The Leader's Guide to Storytelling". One of the gems I found in this book was his description of using story to persuade.
He explains how he went to senior management with an idea and got no where with his facts and stats presentation. He regrouped and tried again with some other members of the senior management team but this time he used stories. Voila, his ideas were accepted and supported.
I made it sound simple and straight forward here; he goes into much more detail but the bottom line is: stories work. And although his explanation is much more involved the process of finding the narrative and crafting it is not. With a little practice everyone can tell a persuassive story.
It does help if you have a telling buddy that you can practice on and get some feedback from. If you need help with that let me know. I wish you the best of luck with your story.
www.carolmon.com
He explains how he went to senior management with an idea and got no where with his facts and stats presentation. He regrouped and tried again with some other members of the senior management team but this time he used stories. Voila, his ideas were accepted and supported.
I made it sound simple and straight forward here; he goes into much more detail but the bottom line is: stories work. And although his explanation is much more involved the process of finding the narrative and crafting it is not. With a little practice everyone can tell a persuassive story.
It does help if you have a telling buddy that you can practice on and get some feedback from. If you need help with that let me know. I wish you the best of luck with your story.
www.carolmon.com
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Resumes vs Stories
Dale Dauten writes a column called "The Corporate Curmudgeon" for the Hartford Business Journal. I enjoy his column and read it faithfully. This week I was especially interested in his article because it was entitled "I Don't Have a Resume; I have a Story". How perfect!
Dale goes on to "tell" the story of a business coach's work with someone who had a disastrous job history. To complicate the job search further was the fact that the man was also a recovering alcoholic in his mid 50's. The coach, Hustad, had his client develop a "story card". When approaching possible employers he simply said "I don't have a resume, I have a story" and then handed them his story card. On the card the client's story was told, the good, the bad and the ugly. Also included was a note on how he could help the company. The result was the man received several job offers and landed a job far better than he had hoped for.
Wow, as I read this article it proved once again the power and connection of story. For the last few years I have been presenting to a local re-employment group. The focus of that work is to get the job seekers to use narrative more effectively in the interview process. Every time an interviewer asks "Tell me about", you should answer in story format. The whole process becomes much easier and less stressful when viewed as a conversation, not an interrogation.
Think about that the next time you find yourself interviewing (on either side of the table). Put your answers in the form of a short story and don't be afraid to engage the other person based on something in the story. Stories put people at ease and information will flow more readily. As an interviewer you might gain valuable insight into a candidate. Insight that might have been masked by nerves or a too polished interview style.
If you would like to hear more about how to incorporate story into the interview process give me a call.
www.carolmon.com
Dale goes on to "tell" the story of a business coach's work with someone who had a disastrous job history. To complicate the job search further was the fact that the man was also a recovering alcoholic in his mid 50's. The coach, Hustad, had his client develop a "story card". When approaching possible employers he simply said "I don't have a resume, I have a story" and then handed them his story card. On the card the client's story was told, the good, the bad and the ugly. Also included was a note on how he could help the company. The result was the man received several job offers and landed a job far better than he had hoped for.
Wow, as I read this article it proved once again the power and connection of story. For the last few years I have been presenting to a local re-employment group. The focus of that work is to get the job seekers to use narrative more effectively in the interview process. Every time an interviewer asks "Tell me about", you should answer in story format. The whole process becomes much easier and less stressful when viewed as a conversation, not an interrogation.
Think about that the next time you find yourself interviewing (on either side of the table). Put your answers in the form of a short story and don't be afraid to engage the other person based on something in the story. Stories put people at ease and information will flow more readily. As an interviewer you might gain valuable insight into a candidate. Insight that might have been masked by nerves or a too polished interview style.
If you would like to hear more about how to incorporate story into the interview process give me a call.
www.carolmon.com
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