The Hartford Business Journal is asking businesses to "Tell Your Story!". Company stories are printed in their HBJ Business Profiles. What a great way to get some recognition and all you need is to write your story.
So many times I hear, "I don't have a story, we just started the business and started working." Okay maybe that's not exciting but there is a lot more behind, just starting a business. Sometimes it takes a third party to tease it out and find the gems worth writing about and sometimes it is just straight forward and can be inspiring to others who are looking to start a business.
I'm wondering how many would have liked to take advantage of the advertising by having their stories told in the HBJ but didn't have a story prepared and didn't have enough time before the deadline.
I recently worked with a client who won a prestigious award and was asked for a company story to print in the program of the awards dinner. Yikes, he didn't have one prepared and had almost no time before the deadline. Fortunately I had some time and was able to juggle some other things to get his story done for the program.
My advice is not to wait until you already have the need but have a story ready to go so you don't miss opportunities. It can be a great marketing piece to include online, with packages for prospects, in reception areas.....
Don't miss the opportunity, set some time aside during a slower period and write your story or get help, but get it done.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Business Storytelling: Fairy Tales for A Sick Boy
I came across this short blog post by a Polish radio station looking to collect stories for a boy in a medically induced coma. Research has, for years, held that patients in comas are somewhat aware of what goes on around them and suggest keeping a positive atmosphere. Often families are encouraged to talk to the patient so that a loved one's voice is heard.
The article does not say if the plan is to record all the fairy tales collected and play a continuous loop in the boys room but I think it would be nice if the parents are able to tell the tales and have a recording play for the boy. It sounds like it could be a nice addition to the healing process offered at hospitals, especially children's hospitals. It could help the parents feel productive and helpful when they are worried and stressed about their child. And if the psychologists are right about the benefits of stories then the parents are contributing in a very positive way to their child's recovery.
See the link below for the short story.
http://www.thenews.pl/national/artykul138983_polish-radio-collects-fairy-tales-for-liver-transplant-boy.html
The article does not say if the plan is to record all the fairy tales collected and play a continuous loop in the boys room but I think it would be nice if the parents are able to tell the tales and have a recording play for the boy. It sounds like it could be a nice addition to the healing process offered at hospitals, especially children's hospitals. It could help the parents feel productive and helpful when they are worried and stressed about their child. And if the psychologists are right about the benefits of stories then the parents are contributing in a very positive way to their child's recovery.
See the link below for the short story.
http://www.thenews.pl/national/artykul138983_polish-radio-collects-fairy-tales-for-liver-transplant-boy.html
Monday, August 16, 2010
Business Storytelling: A Story on Stories
The following link was posted on a listserv I subscribe to http://tiny.cc/qd9js. The author Carol Ross wrote with a great deal of energy after a retreat she attended and recognized the power of story to connect. She has some good examples of how story can be used in the work place but the part I like is when she writes about the evolving story:
"Your story evolves, as you evolve. Many years ago, a mentor told the story of being raped. Initially, she told the story as a victim and eventually, after many years, she told the story as a conqueror. A well-known coach has the tag line, "It's all made up." Our stories don't end with one telling but change over many tellings, not because a new detail appears (although that can happen) but because our perspective changes of who we are. The same set of circumstances takes on different meaning, based on where we stand today, rather than five or ten or twenty years ago."
That truly is the healing power of story. When we share stories we spread the burden or the canopy of joy. In one the pain is lessened and the other the happiness is multiplied. Read the short blog post if you have a moment.
"Your story evolves, as you evolve. Many years ago, a mentor told the story of being raped. Initially, she told the story as a victim and eventually, after many years, she told the story as a conqueror. A well-known coach has the tag line, "It's all made up." Our stories don't end with one telling but change over many tellings, not because a new detail appears (although that can happen) but because our perspective changes of who we are. The same set of circumstances takes on different meaning, based on where we stand today, rather than five or ten or twenty years ago."
That truly is the healing power of story. When we share stories we spread the burden or the canopy of joy. In one the pain is lessened and the other the happiness is multiplied. Read the short blog post if you have a moment.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Business Storytelling: Quiet but not without story
It has been far too long since my last post. That is not because there is nothing to post but I've been busy creating and living story.
Last week I received a nice email from a colleague. She was traveling to a distant airport in the wee hours of the morning listening to talk radio. Jennifer Weiner, author of "In Her Shoes", was being interviewed. I saw the movie several years ago and recently caught a piece of it again. Jennifer told the story of two sisters with all their baggage, problems and love. You may not like your sister but she is your sister and you can't just stop that relationship. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie I think it is worth the time.
That aside, during the interview Jennifer was asked about the "death" of publishing. Her answer was perfect, "There will always be appetite for story". Story has been around since the beginning and will last as long as there are humans. The form the story is told in (digital, paper, movie, song etc.) really doesn't matter as much as the sharing of the story. I would hate to see the elimination of printed books but I do not fear for the continuance of story.
Last week I received a nice email from a colleague. She was traveling to a distant airport in the wee hours of the morning listening to talk radio. Jennifer Weiner, author of "In Her Shoes", was being interviewed. I saw the movie several years ago and recently caught a piece of it again. Jennifer told the story of two sisters with all their baggage, problems and love. You may not like your sister but she is your sister and you can't just stop that relationship. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie I think it is worth the time.
That aside, during the interview Jennifer was asked about the "death" of publishing. Her answer was perfect, "There will always be appetite for story". Story has been around since the beginning and will last as long as there are humans. The form the story is told in (digital, paper, movie, song etc.) really doesn't matter as much as the sharing of the story. I would hate to see the elimination of printed books but I do not fear for the continuance of story.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Business Storytelling: Stories for healing
Last week in Seascale England there was a shooting rampage that left numerous dead and several wounded. Besides the obvious physical wounds this small, usually peaceful rural community has psychological wounds to deal with.
The BBC interviewed a general practitioner doctor who was one of the first on the scene. He is obviously shaken by the events. In the interview he is asked how people will begin to cope. His answer, story. People need story. You can listen to the whole interview at this link. http://tiny.cc/9p2ty
The Dr. does not go on to explain what exactly he means by story but he mentions that it will help people to understand. Yes story might help them to understand or accept the craziness but story will also help to remember the lives of those lost. Stories of loved ones after a death are comforting, gone but not forgotten.
My sympathies go out to those affected by the shootings.
The BBC interviewed a general practitioner doctor who was one of the first on the scene. He is obviously shaken by the events. In the interview he is asked how people will begin to cope. His answer, story. People need story. You can listen to the whole interview at this link. http://tiny.cc/9p2ty
The Dr. does not go on to explain what exactly he means by story but he mentions that it will help people to understand. Yes story might help them to understand or accept the craziness but story will also help to remember the lives of those lost. Stories of loved ones after a death are comforting, gone but not forgotten.
My sympathies go out to those affected by the shootings.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Business Storytelling: Power Point Presentations
The following link was sent so I could review it and see about having this speaker present to our local National Speaker's Association chapter. http://www.thinkoutsidetheslide.com/DemoVideo2009v1a/DemoVideo2009v1a.html
I think Mr. Paradi makes some excellent points but since this blog is about storytelling let me focus on one that is germane. Paraphrasing: he says that storytelling has been used for 5,000 years by humans to train and transmit information. It has been successful and the human race has survived so why stop now? Power point presentations tend to be fact and data driven with numerous slides filled with much verbiage and/or graphs and statistics. Usually far too much for audience members to take in.
Mr. Paradi suggests instead of using words and graphs to use more visuals. Pair the visuals with headline type descriptions and tell a story. Take a look at the video, he demonstrates the principle. It is amazing how much more interesting the information is when he re-formats it.
Tell a story with your presentation. Make sure your power point tells a story too!
I think Mr. Paradi makes some excellent points but since this blog is about storytelling let me focus on one that is germane. Paraphrasing: he says that storytelling has been used for 5,000 years by humans to train and transmit information. It has been successful and the human race has survived so why stop now? Power point presentations tend to be fact and data driven with numerous slides filled with much verbiage and/or graphs and statistics. Usually far too much for audience members to take in.
Mr. Paradi suggests instead of using words and graphs to use more visuals. Pair the visuals with headline type descriptions and tell a story. Take a look at the video, he demonstrates the principle. It is amazing how much more interesting the information is when he re-formats it.
Tell a story with your presentation. Make sure your power point tells a story too!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Business Storytelling: Fraudulent Online Patient Stories
One of the list serves I belong to just had this message.
I wrote Patient Stories on Health Web Sites Can Not Always Be Trusted,
inspired by a longstanding concern about the accuracy of online stories and confirmation that, in one case at least, stories on a health website were written by employees. I appreciate your feedback and insights. (http://e-patients.net/archives/2010/03/patient-stories-on-health-web-sites-can-not-always-be-trusted.html)
As you can see the author is looking for feedback on your impressions. I am a bit distressed but not so naive as to believe that this type of fraudulent behavior is not widespread. Customer/patient stories are some of the best ways to promote our products and services but too often the owner is the one who writes the reviews as stories and never gets true customer feedback.
That leaves the next customer trying to determine fiction from the truth. Due diligence is still appropriate and if the details sound more like a fairy tale, well they just may be. Read Lisa's article and send along your comments.
I wrote Patient Stories on Health Web Sites Can Not Always Be Trusted
inspired by a longstanding concern about the accuracy of online stories and confirmation that, in one case at least, stories on a health website were written by employees. I appreciate your feedback and insights. (http://e-patients.net/archives/2010/03/patient-stories-on-health-web-sites-can-not-always-be-trusted.html)
As you can see the author is looking for feedback on your impressions. I am a bit distressed but not so naive as to believe that this type of fraudulent behavior is not widespread. Customer/patient stories are some of the best ways to promote our products and services but too often the owner is the one who writes the reviews as stories and never gets true customer feedback.
That leaves the next customer trying to determine fiction from the truth. Due diligence is still appropriate and if the details sound more like a fairy tale, well they just may be. Read Lisa's article and send along your comments.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Business Storytelling:Face to Face Interaction
I was re-reading some old e-newsletters and came across one on face-to-face interactions making a come back. The article talked about the use of video conferencing as a way to connect people. To me this is proof that no matter how virtual we get and how digital we get we are human and crave the interaction with other humans.
Stories give us that connection, they build bridges and help us to see the commonalities we share. Like the video conferencing helping to make connections the new technologies are helping us get our stories out and shared with people. Post a blog, people read, update LinkedIn people read, post a video people watch. All people want is for someone to hear their story and more than ever people are sharing their stories, face-to-face or virtually.
Stories give us that connection, they build bridges and help us to see the commonalities we share. Like the video conferencing helping to make connections the new technologies are helping us get our stories out and shared with people. Post a blog, people read, update LinkedIn people read, post a video people watch. All people want is for someone to hear their story and more than ever people are sharing their stories, face-to-face or virtually.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Business Storytelling: LinkedIn
I just finished watching the DVD "LinkedIn for Job Seekers". There are lots of good tips included but the one that jumped out at me was Jason Alba's insistence on telling a story.
Jason, the author, believes that in the summary section on the profile page people should tell a story and use all 2000 characters. I definitely agree with him about using story but question the need for 2000 characters, that seems like a lot.
I spend a lot of time writing micro stories and feel shorter may be better. Definitely write in a story format, make it engaging, but keep it closer to 500 is my advice. Unless your story is incredibly engaging most people are not going to read the full 2000 characters. Keep it short and engaging and more people will read your story.
Jason, the author, believes that in the summary section on the profile page people should tell a story and use all 2000 characters. I definitely agree with him about using story but question the need for 2000 characters, that seems like a lot.
I spend a lot of time writing micro stories and feel shorter may be better. Definitely write in a story format, make it engaging, but keep it closer to 500 is my advice. Unless your story is incredibly engaging most people are not going to read the full 2000 characters. Keep it short and engaging and more people will read your story.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Business Storytelling: The Life of Pi
Currently I am listening to "The Life of Pi". Admittedly it took me a bit to get into it but now I am riveted. So much so I did a search on the web to read more about the author and the story. I did not want to read a lot about the story and ruin the spell but I read just a bit about the author on Spark Notes. I found the following quote "The Author’s Note blends facts and fictions about Yann Martel’s own inspiration for the book to illustrate the central theme of the book: storytelling."
I'm not sure I totally agree that storytelling can be a theme based on what themes generally are but I like the idea that storytelling is so central to humans that it is in fact a worthy theme. The story is about survival and the will to live. Can one surmise that storytelling is essential to our survival. Interesting idea to think about.
If stories are critical to survival then are they also critical to the survival of business? As long as businesses are run by and used by humans then yes stories are important to the survival of businesses.
I'm not sure I totally agree that storytelling can be a theme based on what themes generally are but I like the idea that storytelling is so central to humans that it is in fact a worthy theme. The story is about survival and the will to live. Can one surmise that storytelling is essential to our survival. Interesting idea to think about.
If stories are critical to survival then are they also critical to the survival of business? As long as businesses are run by and used by humans then yes stories are important to the survival of businesses.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Business Storytelling: Stories in the brain
Check out this short article on the way story affects our brain waves. http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/articles/your-brain-on-stories.htm
Most people agree stories are powerful but the proof has been anecdotal up to this point. I have now read several articles describing the process of brain imaging work while people are told stories. It is fascinating and finally hard proof that human brains are wired to learn from stories.
Keep that in mind as create workshops, training materials, keynotes and any other times that you are trying to make your message memorable.
Most people agree stories are powerful but the proof has been anecdotal up to this point. I have now read several articles describing the process of brain imaging work while people are told stories. It is fascinating and finally hard proof that human brains are wired to learn from stories.
Keep that in mind as create workshops, training materials, keynotes and any other times that you are trying to make your message memorable.
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