CORPORATE STORYTELLING:
Discovering Fire for the Second Time
Vol. 7, No. 4, 2007
Publisher: Evelyn Clark
evelyn@corpstory.com http://www.corpstory.com
(c) Clark & Company 2007
***********************************************************************************
“Providing peace of mind for our members about their health care coverage isn’t about a number. It’s about an attitude. It’s about the kind of passion exhibited every day by people within our organization. It’s about remembering that behind every claim is a story–-always personal–-sometimes profoundly life-changing.”
--H.R. Brereton (Gubby) Barlow
CEO, Premera
====================================================
This newsletter is only sent by request. According to our records, <$firstname$>, you expressed interest in Corporate Storytelling and/or requested that you be included on our mailing list.
Please forward this E-Zine to anyone you know who is interested in becoming a more effective communicator, or who may want to learn how to supercharge their business/career.
PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not share your address with anyone.
IN THIS ISSUE
1. And the Verdict Is…Storytelling
2. Once Upon a Time There Were Stories
3. Lights, Camera, Communicate
4. Would You Take a Walk With Me?
5. Scratch & Dent Sale: Get a Great Deal on Around the Corporate Campfire
1. And the Verdict Is…Storytelling
General Counsels provide employees and their companies with legal advice, so how does storytelling fit in? According to an article in “In-House Counsel Online”, there are five principles a General Counsel needs to instill in a company for them to make “smart decisions.” One of those principles focuses on storytelling.
“Facts do not persuade, stories persuade” says the article. People will be more influenced by a story than endless spreadsheets or mind-boggling facts. A simple one-liner “…is ultimately more persuasive than facts.” Using a story to build your case allows for better decision-making in the end. The article goes on to talk about how to make connections within a department, how those connections can build great assets, and how creating a “questioning culture” will benefit management.
To read more about these principles go to: http://www.law.com/jsp/ihc/PubArticleIHC.jsp?id=1160397316267
2. Once Upon a Time There Were Stories
What do President Lincoln, the Hieroglyphs in Egypt, and the Odyssey have in common? They all told a story of some sort. In John Baldoni’s book titled, How Great Leaders Get Great Results, he says that the best way to “communicate a key message is by telling a story.” Baldoni goes on to explain that stories enable you to connect with your audience both on the emotional and rational sides of the brain.
Baldoni says that storytelling enables you to create “results-driven heroes, people who have arisen from within the organization to achieve, attribute, and succeed by producing results.” These stories create a bond between groups. He makes calls stories “muscles…and charged particles…and organic fabric.”
Comparing leadership to taking a journey, Baldoni says a strong story gives the momentum the journey needs and “…smaller stories enrich the journey.”
To discover more about John Baldoni’s book go to: http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20061002/technologylife03.shtml
3. Lights, Camera, Communicate
How can you learn how to communicate from legendary stars like Audrey Hepburn, Marlon Brando and Whoopi Goldberg? You take what these actors have gained from being actors: energy. To be “persuasive, you have to generate a high level of energy…. It’s the energy that makes you visible,” according to Martha Burgess, cofounder of Theatre Techniques for Business People Inc., as quoted in “Fast Company”.
To take this “performance energy” and apply it in the business world, Burgess suggests you use a “trigger exercise.” She says to choose an image and focus on it. After awhile you’ll be able “energize yourself simply by focusing on the trigger image,” which becomes your energy boost.
She also teaches clients how to read an audience. Burgess notes that there are “three learning lines – mental, emotional, and physical – ways in which people receive information,” and she talks about how you can tailor your communication to fit people with each type of learning line.
To get more out of your performance read: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/27/howwow.html
4. Would You Take a Walk With Me?
What proportion of employees do you think “walk the talk” in their jobs? According to a survey of over 336 organizations, only one-third of employees actually do. Why? Lack of communication.
Chris Gay, Senior Vice President of Right Management, said that “management’s effective communication of the vision of the business…and how it can be lived in their daily jobs…” can make or break a company. Employees thrive on storytelling, along with recognition and reward, which keeps them engaged in their day to day jobs. So, when you need to inspire your employees, make storytelling your primary exercise for the day.
To read the online report from Right Management go to: http://www.right.com
5. Scratch & Dent Sale: Get a Great Deal on Around the Corporate Campfire
If you haven’t yet bought a copy of Around the Corporate Campfire, you still have a chance to get one at a great price—while there are a few “scratch and dent” copies left. Evelyn’s popular book focuses on leaders who have succeeded in the demanding business world by using stories to create the future they desire. Learn how to inspire success in your company by using the powerful tool of storytelling.
These books are new but have crinkled edges and some bent corners. The cover price is $19.95, but you can get your copy on sale now for just $9.97 + $2.95 shipping and handling. Call toll-free: 1-866-818-8079 to place your order. All major credit cards accepted.
If you prefer a book in pristine condition, newly printed books are ready for shipment. Place your orders now for full-price copies fresh from the printer ($19.95 plus $2.95 shipping and handling). Call toll-free: 1-866-818-8079 or go to http://www.aroundthecorporatecampfire.com.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bring the power of story to your company, or to your organization's next conference or retreat. Book The Corporate Storyteller now. Call 1-866-818-8079.
To subscribe to this e-zine, either complete the short form on any page of the website - http://www.corpstory.com or send a blank email to mailto:subscribe@corpstory.com
Build your web traffic by trading permanent links with us. Send your web address in an e-mail to evelyn@corpstory.com and we will contact you re arrangements.