This week I was leading a Business Writing class. One of the attendees said that a superior has complained about her writing. He claims to have ADHD and has a hard time reading her lengthy reports.
She explained to me that she likes to put her reports in story format because she believes by giving the context around an issue helps to make the issue more memorable and actionable. I happen to agree with her, however, the story can be short and still make the message memorable.
Together we reviewed some of her writing and found lots of room to trim wording. A few simple sentence restructures and she no longer had the passive voice throughout. I explained that you can tell a story in one sentence sometimes; just wanting to report in story format does not mean the writing has to be long.
Keep it short and it is easier to remember.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Business Storytelling: Stories for the hire process
A friend just sent a link to an article on the use of stories in the job search. The link is https://sales.theladders.com/career-advice/life-story-boring. It is a quick read and basically encourages job seekers to think about their story and use it during an interview process.
I agree whole-heartedly but here are a couple of tips to keep in mind. The story should be short. My suggestion is about 2 minutes, no more. It is amazing how much you can say in 2 minutes when prepared so that your comments are focused.
Don't worry about bragging on what a great job you did on a project. The interview process is a time when you should feel free to talk about your accomplishments. Sometimes working with another person to get the story out and polished is the best tact. We don't always recognize the good stories; we think they are just run of the mill but a friend will let you know what really resonates.
Remember when the interviewer says "Tell me about a time when....", she is asking for a story so give her one.
I agree whole-heartedly but here are a couple of tips to keep in mind. The story should be short. My suggestion is about 2 minutes, no more. It is amazing how much you can say in 2 minutes when prepared so that your comments are focused.
Don't worry about bragging on what a great job you did on a project. The interview process is a time when you should feel free to talk about your accomplishments. Sometimes working with another person to get the story out and polished is the best tact. We don't always recognize the good stories; we think they are just run of the mill but a friend will let you know what really resonates.
Remember when the interviewer says "Tell me about a time when....", she is asking for a story so give her one.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Business Storytelling: Stories in the Medical Field
This evening I read the newsletter from my local library. On October 26th Dr. Lisa Sanders will be coming to the Lucy Robbins Library in Newington to talk about her new book, "Every Patient Tells a Story".
Obviously I'm intrigued and will look to get a copy of the book to see what she has to say about doctors listening to the stories patients tell. She writes a column for the New York Times Magazine and the column was the inspiration for the show House. If you are a fan of the show you will recognize the story principle although Dr. House is gruff and sometimes deceitful in obtaining the story of his patients to help him diagnose.
I hope more doctors listen to their patients and ignore the HMO time constraints. It will definitely lead to better care.
Obviously I'm intrigued and will look to get a copy of the book to see what she has to say about doctors listening to the stories patients tell. She writes a column for the New York Times Magazine and the column was the inspiration for the show House. If you are a fan of the show you will recognize the story principle although Dr. House is gruff and sometimes deceitful in obtaining the story of his patients to help him diagnose.
I hope more doctors listen to their patients and ignore the HMO time constraints. It will definitely lead to better care.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Business Storytelling: The Bill Rasmussen Story
This week I read a bit about Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN. Mr. Rasmussen is scheduled to be the featured speaker at a chamber event honoring 30 years of ESPN.
The article evoked happy memories of my time spent at the World Wide Leader in Sports network. The Bill Rasmussen story was well known to employess back then, I hope it still is. As a new employee I was trained by several longer term employess. Often times there would be downtime and we would chat. Invariably the story of how ESPN got its start would come up and the tale of a man with a simple dream would be told.
It seemed everyone knew the story or at least an abbreviated version of it. There was great pride in the telling of the story, engendering loyalty and respect. ESPN rose from first just local sports and the unheard of spelling bee to the undeniable leader in sports news.
What's your company's history. Find and tell it as new employees are onboarded. It will create an instant connection.
The article evoked happy memories of my time spent at the World Wide Leader in Sports network. The Bill Rasmussen story was well known to employess back then, I hope it still is. As a new employee I was trained by several longer term employess. Often times there would be downtime and we would chat. Invariably the story of how ESPN got its start would come up and the tale of a man with a simple dream would be told.
It seemed everyone knew the story or at least an abbreviated version of it. There was great pride in the telling of the story, engendering loyalty and respect. ESPN rose from first just local sports and the unheard of spelling bee to the undeniable leader in sports news.
What's your company's history. Find and tell it as new employees are onboarded. It will create an instant connection.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Business Storytelling: Harvey Mackay Again
I just read an article by Harvey Mackay in the Hartford Business Journal. Once again he expressed how he uses stories to make his business point. In this article he was talking about customer service, or more accurately the lack of customer service.
He told a story of a bank that was stingy and would only validate parking if you were making a deposit. The man was making a withdrawal and the teller and manager refused to validate. So the customer, instead of withdrawing $100 withdrew 1 million dollars. The next day he returned and withdrew another million dollars to deposit in the bank across the street.
Penny wise, pound foolish? Or is it just not getting to know your customers? Or maybe it is having strict rules that really don't make a lot of sense. If you want someone's business it can't be all about you (deposits), it has to be about them.
Stories stick and are powerful for teaching the correct customer service values.
He told a story of a bank that was stingy and would only validate parking if you were making a deposit. The man was making a withdrawal and the teller and manager refused to validate. So the customer, instead of withdrawing $100 withdrew 1 million dollars. The next day he returned and withdrew another million dollars to deposit in the bank across the street.
Penny wise, pound foolish? Or is it just not getting to know your customers? Or maybe it is having strict rules that really don't make a lot of sense. If you want someone's business it can't be all about you (deposits), it has to be about them.
Stories stick and are powerful for teaching the correct customer service values.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Business Storytelling: Free Publicity
There is a program on locally in CT called Roadside Stories. The host covers all kinds of crazy stories but then sometimes he just sits by the side of the road with signs that say "Everyone has a story to tell", "Stop and tell us your story".
Tonight he was in Old Lyme CT waiting for someone to stop. The show was filmed in January on one of the coldest days the State had seen but still he sat there for a long time waving to passersby before someone finally stopped. A very smart business woman.
Her shop was across the street and when she saw the host outside with the cameras she came over to tell her story. We got to hear her story but she also got free publicity for her fish market.
Don't be afraid to tell the story of your business. You never know who the story will resonate with creating selling opportunities.
Tonight he was in Old Lyme CT waiting for someone to stop. The show was filmed in January on one of the coldest days the State had seen but still he sat there for a long time waving to passersby before someone finally stopped. A very smart business woman.
Her shop was across the street and when she saw the host outside with the cameras she came over to tell her story. We got to hear her story but she also got free publicity for her fish market.
Don't be afraid to tell the story of your business. You never know who the story will resonate with creating selling opportunities.
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