Time sure does fly. May 08 I decided to start a blog because I found that I continually stumbled on great references to story use in business. Collecting all this information and then putting it in a newsletter that would be produced far less frequently seemed to go against trends being set in the business world.
What I have found is that some months I stumble on lots of references to story and finding topics to write on for the blog is easy. Other times I get busy and the topics don't seem quite as obvious. Nevertheless I have found writing the blog helpful to communicating information on the importance of story in our lives, business and personal.
I hope you will continue to read the blog as I continue to find various and creative ways people are connecting through the power of story.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Oral Histories
I just finished reading an article about Gen Yers and their need for speed and short messages. The article was in a speakers magazine and addressed the issue of keeping keynotes short and to the point.
This morning I was thinking about the very same thing. I've been working with my Alma Mater collecting oral histories from alumni at reunion weekend. I had been wondering why people telling their stories is growing in popularity. Was it because of organizations like Story Corps, was it because recording and storing is so easy now, was it because of families spread around the world?
Maybe it is none of these. Maybe it has more to do with the stated mindset of Gen Yers. No time to read lengthy articles or to listen to long stories but keep them short and easily accessible, say on Ipods and the stories get attention. Oral stories that most people tell are anecdotal in form and generally short. Maybe the new focus on brevity will continue the revival of collecting oral histories.
This morning I was thinking about the very same thing. I've been working with my Alma Mater collecting oral histories from alumni at reunion weekend. I had been wondering why people telling their stories is growing in popularity. Was it because of organizations like Story Corps, was it because recording and storing is so easy now, was it because of families spread around the world?
Maybe it is none of these. Maybe it has more to do with the stated mindset of Gen Yers. No time to read lengthy articles or to listen to long stories but keep them short and easily accessible, say on Ipods and the stories get attention. Oral stories that most people tell are anecdotal in form and generally short. Maybe the new focus on brevity will continue the revival of collecting oral histories.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Hamster Revolution
Last week someone suggested "The Hamster Revolution" to me since I am marketing a business writing class. The book is a bit of a departure for this blog about story since its main focus is about managing email. It is a fast read, only 120 pages, but it is not the length alone that makes this book so readable.
The authors liken email overload to professionals on a hamster wheel,working hard but getting no where. All the lessons are explained through conversations between Harold, an HR professional, and his info coach. The book follows the life of Harold as he learns the new email system. Easy reading because it is written as a story, not a text book.
Don't get me wrong, it is a story but there is lots of substance. The authors masterfully weave in numerous facts and figures on the lack of productivity due to poorly written and excessive emails. Every business person who feels overwhelmed by the volume of email needs to read this book and get 15 days a year back (their estimate based on an average of 50 emails daily).
The authors liken email overload to professionals on a hamster wheel,working hard but getting no where. All the lessons are explained through conversations between Harold, an HR professional, and his info coach. The book follows the life of Harold as he learns the new email system. Easy reading because it is written as a story, not a text book.
Don't get me wrong, it is a story but there is lots of substance. The authors masterfully weave in numerous facts and figures on the lack of productivity due to poorly written and excessive emails. Every business person who feels overwhelmed by the volume of email needs to read this book and get 15 days a year back (their estimate based on an average of 50 emails daily).
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
More on Goldilocks on Management
I've made some progress through the book and I'm still a bit disappointed at the way the fairy tales are portrayed. I do however truly enjoy the real life examples that are used with each fairy tale. In some cases I feel the authors are stretching the fairy tale trying to make it fit. If they had just written the book using the real life examples with the moral spelled out I think the book would have been better for me.
I did however find one tale so far that I like the adaptation and use, The Ugly Duckling. They stayed true to the original tale and explored the problems of an employee who is not in the right job, a true misfit. And of course like the ugly duckling when the employee is in the right environment he blooms in to a beautful useful swan.
Still more to read so I will let give you a final wrap up when I'm all done.
I did however find one tale so far that I like the adaptation and use, The Ugly Duckling. They stayed true to the original tale and explored the problems of an employee who is not in the right job, a true misfit. And of course like the ugly duckling when the employee is in the right environment he blooms in to a beautful useful swan.
Still more to read so I will let give you a final wrap up when I'm all done.
Monday, April 27, 2009
28th Connecticut Storytelling Festival
This past weekend was the 28th Annual Connecticut Storytelling Festival in New London, Connecticut. It was one of the best in a long time. Jay O'Callahan was our headliner. If you have never seen Jay perform you are missing a true master of words. His stories are easy to follow and delightful to the ear and imaginations as he weaves the tale full of similes and metaphors.
Jay was not the only reason the festival was successful there were several extremely accomplished tellers. The weather was energizing and the performances and workshops were invigorating.
The Storytelling Festival takes place the last weekend in April every year, mark your calendars and plan on attending next year. Check out the website, www.connstorycenter.org for information, details for next year will be posted at the end of this year. In the meantime check out Jay O'Callahan's website and, if at all possible, go see him live.
Jay was not the only reason the festival was successful there were several extremely accomplished tellers. The weather was energizing and the performances and workshops were invigorating.
The Storytelling Festival takes place the last weekend in April every year, mark your calendars and plan on attending next year. Check out the website, www.connstorycenter.org for information, details for next year will be posted at the end of this year. In the meantime check out Jay O'Callahan's website and, if at all possible, go see him live.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Goldilocks on Management
Right after my podcast on storytelling uses in business a friend sent me a book, Goldilocks on Management. I had never heard of the book by Gloria Gilbert Mayer and Thomas Mayer but was excited to see what they had to say. Flipping through the book my excitement increased as a I saw they used many of the same well known tales that I have used to make business points.
I read the introduction, we were on the same page, my excitement grew. Their theories and beliefs were similar to mine. I have not finished the book yet and will update this blog as I read along but my hot start cooled some when I read the first tale in the book, Little Red Riding Hood.
It was not what I had hoped for; it was more of a parody. I prefer to take the tale and find the lesson within it changing little. On an earlier blog posting I gave an example using the Emperor's New Clothes. I guess you might say that I am a bit of a purist and prefer to see the lesson as close to the original as possible. Of course that does not mean my way is the only way or even the best way. The Mayer's book may turn out to be just as powerful. I'll let you know as I read along.
Happily ever After
Carol
I read the introduction, we were on the same page, my excitement grew. Their theories and beliefs were similar to mine. I have not finished the book yet and will update this blog as I read along but my hot start cooled some when I read the first tale in the book, Little Red Riding Hood.
It was not what I had hoped for; it was more of a parody. I prefer to take the tale and find the lesson within it changing little. On an earlier blog posting I gave an example using the Emperor's New Clothes. I guess you might say that I am a bit of a purist and prefer to see the lesson as close to the original as possible. Of course that does not mean my way is the only way or even the best way. The Mayer's book may turn out to be just as powerful. I'll let you know as I read along.
Happily ever After
Carol
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The 28th Annual Connecticut Storytelling Festival
On April 24, 25, and 26 the Connecticut Storytelling Center will be presenting the 28th Annual Connecticut Storytelling Festival at Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. If you are in the area please do try to stop by and attend as least some of the events. Tickets are available for the whole weekend or for individual events. For a complete listing of events, times and performers go to www.connstorycenter.org.
I hope to see you there. And if you do come be sure to mention my name, Carol Mon, and ask for a 25% discount on the tickets.
I hope to see you there. And if you do come be sure to mention my name, Carol Mon, and ask for a 25% discount on the tickets.
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