Just Story It

If you want a clear explaination of why marketing is all about connecting emotionally with prospects and customers, then this is it.

Even better -- the author Douglas Van Praet provides a 7-step process for us to craft marketing materials that connect emotionally.

That is what our biz stories SHOULD be doing. Sometimes they don't. You can use Van Praet's 7-step process to craft or refine your business stories so they can do the work you want them to do.

Van Praet also offers us a video as a terrific example of his Step #4 "Shift the Feeling". I know you'll like it.

Have fun with this one -- I hope it gets your creative juices flowing!

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it 

What a hoot! My story colleague Shawn Callahan has done it again -- come up with another ingenious use for stories in business.

Did you know stories can help you figure out whether someone is selling you a bunch of snake oil or if they really do have the knowledge and experience they say they have? 

This is what Callahan is proposing stories can do for you -- smoke out the truth. As he explains -- anyone who's puffing themselves up won't be able to share real stories about their experiences. They'll have ot make them up or tell stories of others they have heard.

To know whether someone DOES have the knowledge and experience they say they do, they will be able to share lots of stories about their work.

Read Callahan's tips for figuring out whether you are hearing the truth or a bunch of puffery. Then take the assessment to figure out if a story is really a story -- or masquerading as something else.

Thanks Shawn for this handy tip!

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it 

Bill Harley is one of my storytelling heros. A professional storyteller, Bill is extremely eloquent and inspiring as he talks about the power of  telling a story live, in person.

Even my software engineering husband Tim stopped his work to listen to Bill's video as I was reviewing it.

So what has this got to do with business? It's simple:

1. Everytime Bill says "teacher" substitute "leader."
2. Everytime Bill talks about telling stories to audiences of students, think about your last presentation and the folks who remained silent and looking like they could care less.
3. Everytime Bill talks about in-person storytelling think about what you are doing technology wise with your biz stories.

Bill explains to us what is really going on.

I can't tell you how many times when I work with leaders, they just want to get a story down so they can video tape it.  Wrong move!!! And again, Bill tells us why. Technology has a place, and Bill helps us keep it all in perspective.

Thank you Bill for this terrific 13 minutes! I'm going to use this in my MBA classes and my work with leaders. Woo hoo!

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it

Well here's a thoughtful piece as we wind up 2012 that gets me thinking about the role of storytelling in business.  

This article is all about the ongoing shifts occuring in business and I think story dynamics and narrative work are both shaping/influencing these shifts, as well as being a vehicle for finding meaning. I am not sure if the popularity of biz storytelling is the cause, the effect, or a combo of both -- but it is fascinating to think about.

What I love about this article by Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon is they coin a new word -- anthrocapitalism -- and talk about how this is more than just 'corporate social responsibility'. And they educate us about the origins of the word 'philanthropy' and its role in rethinking capitalism. They go on to talk about how our economy is shifting away from transaction to engagement and what this really means.

Great food for thought. They also give examples of companies who are embodying 'anthroeconomics', creating meaningful work, promoting a deeper purpose, and increasing their profits at the same time.

As the authors say at the end: "The shift towards anthrocapitalism represents a new role for leaders and a new role for organizations. It’s time to ask what you as a leader and inspirational role model can do to focus on both doing well and doing good, making the world a better place."

So what is the role of storytelling here and its meaning-making abilities? Is storytelling the impetus, the vehicle, or both? Or are there better questions to ask? What do you think? Hmmmmm....... 

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling atwww.scoop.it/t/just-story-it

What a terrific piece from Harvard Business Review about reclaiming your creative confidence. As biz story practitioners, that is what we do -- help clients become better storytellers and build their creative confidence at the same time.

This article shares recent research about creativity, and tips for building your creative confidence.

It's the most sought-after ability today.

When building your storytelling skills, make sure you find a coach or trusted partner and lock your normal tendencies for critical feedback ("Hey, sock it to me; I can take it!") in the closet. Criticism (often disguised as critical feedback) does not allow creativity to flourish.

So only use appreciative strengths-based coaching techniques. Then it is all a matter of practice practice practice -- orally with a partner, not in front of a mirror.  As Julie Child said: "The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a 'What the hell?' attitude."

Now -- I'm going to take my own advice and keep practicing practicing practicing on my new MAC because I've tried 3 times to curate this article! I keep making mistakes with the mouse, the keyboard, and trying to figure out the ways of Safari. LOL -- glad my husband keeps encouraging me and I've taken a "What the hell?" attitude!

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling atwww.scoop.it/t/just-story-it

Today I'm curating 2 articles on an essential storytelling skill -- listening.

I like this first article because it makes the point that when we are evoking and listening to the stories of our prospects and customers, our ears need to be tuned to listening for their needs.

It's easy to get caught up in the drama of the story. But while you are listening, are you also trying to hear what needs are being expressed?

Connecting with the needs of customers/prospects is where all the gold is. If the stories you share in return do not connect with those needs, your business does not grow.

There's a handy chart that helps explain this, and some helpful perspectives.

But the article left me wondering, "So how do I really listen for those needs? What do I have to do that I'm not doing now?"

So the next article focuses on those how-to tips.

Happy listening!

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it 

Storytelling colleague Limor Shiponi from Isreal has done it again -- shared a slice of real life experience working with stories within a company.

This is a short story with lots to think about -- namely how working with stories in organizations opens up meaningful conversations. And usually what is shared would have remained hidden or unsaid.

And the other piece to think about in this story is how leadership can change and grow just by opening the door to storytelling. In this case, working on a company blog.

And then the last place to reflect on with this article is the role of the story practitioner. As you read Limor's story, what qualities and skills were present that created a positive outcome? 

And then of course, the story itself proves how such a short piece can pack such a rich punch.

If anyone is interested in digging into narrative practice, experiencing how complexity can be unwound with short but rich stories, and how all of this impacts both business and leadership, then click through the link at the end of the article to the Storyevolution conference coming up in May in Washington DC. Limor will be facilitating.

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelilng at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it 

What another great post from Rohit Bhargava.

You've gathered your stories, spent time crafting them, practiced them time and again, and then when you tell it to a customer or prospect, you bomb.

Arrggghhh!! How frustrating! So what's a biz storyteller to do? Read Bhargava's post and his 'Do Not Do This' list!

I chuckled when I read the 2 pieces of advice he finds people usually receive:

1. Tell more stories.
2. Use bigger fonts.

LOL -- neither one of these will work!

Find out where you are making your mistakes -- and go fix them. Thanks Rohit for putting this insightful article together!

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on busines storytelling at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it