Stories - an experience for your audience -

Valuable business storytelling tips from Omar Kattan and Karen Dietz..

I find if you give the space on your page to share about your products and services customers can become your best PR agent.

--Shelley

http://www.creativewebconceptsusa.com

The key message in this brandstories article shared by PR/social media expert, Jeff Domansky is: Inspire & empower your customers to tell and re-tell your brand stories.  Women are willing, keen and naturally inclined to share stories with people in their lives. Give them reason & encouragement and they'll happily share YOUR brand story. 

Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh -- here's another fabulous TED video on storytelling that is both awesome because of its content, and inspiring because of its message. Go Judah Pollack!

You won't want to miss watching this piece. Judah eloquently lays out the case for stories in business as a way to access and promote our humanity. And his sense of humor is fab.

Enjoy this video -- it's perfect to get you through the rest of the week!

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

One of the most powerful cases for story, narrative that I have heard in a very long while. A true example of the recipient of the very benefits of story he preaches, Judah Pollack lays down the gauntlet to help us process life through story. Thanks Judah for mastering the degree of Awesomeness and showing me the possibilities within my own story - in 3D.

Now here is a powerful use of stories in business. In this case, this post talks about how Glenlivet is using personal stories in their branding efforts.

Glenlivet is premium single malt whiskey. In this campaign the company has successful men sharing stories about a poignant moment that was instrumental in their success.

As Troy Gorczyca Senior Brand Manager, Pernod Ricard, says, the goal of the series was to “showcase their triumphs, admit their failures, and highlight the moments that make us human.”

At first I thought "Oh, this is about CEOs bragging about some achievement they accomplished." But no -- these guys share about their parents, a mentor, or how a single phone call changed a life. Yeah! Disaster averted.

Now I have only one quibble -- how come these stories are only from guys???!!! Where are successful women's stories? It's not like we don't like or drink Glenlivet -- because we do! And we share stories over drinks just like guys do -- in fact, probably more.

Here's what's mystifying to me: the co-lead on this project is a woman. And the author of this article is a woman. Yet neither pointed out this discrepancy.

OK, rant over. The article talks a bit about how challenges in gathering the stories. And other insights are shared here. So go read it -- other than the gender issue, it's a good piece.

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

Stories are the key to successful influence.  sharing a short story that embodies the message or principle you wish you communicate, it THE most powerful way to spread your influence.   We remember stories much more that dry facts or powerpoint slides.   Glenlivet clearly understand  and are harnessing the power of stories - Do you?

Para construir tu marca personal, cuenta tu historia.

Just read what Karen has shared.

These are 4 essential principles for effective storytelling and filmmaker Ken Burns explains all really well.

I don't call them tips, because they are more than that. They truly are some of the best ways to think and be with your business stories. Principles like Find the drama and characters of your story and let them speak; tell the story your own way; and find the format in the story -- as opposed to stuffing a story into a predefined one-size-fits-all structure.

To quote the article, "Burns says that storytelling isn’t so much a process of arriving at a previously determined end, but about an investigation of the material."

If you can get that thought, it's revolutionary. The quote speaks to the teller's ability to learn more about the story by continually reflecting on it, becoming more self-aware. That self-awareness leads to not only better storytelling, but also deeper listening and greater empathy/connection with your listeners.

There is lots of food for thought here that will help make you a better teller of your business stories. And there are some terrific clips to illustrate the points. Have fun with this one.

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

Ken Burns is a visual story teller.

Always remember the storytelling elements, no matter who you are working with.

This article made so much sense to me that I had to sit down and listen to the podcast right away.  Here's some comments that stood out for me:

• Brands are struggling.  What's missing is conflict.

• Need to inject conflict without damaging the brand.

• Too many provide a false picture – everything is wonderful.

• Have to (provide and) overcome the conflict or the listener won’t like it.

• Conflict – get as close as possible to death.

• Conflict – best kind of universal truth.

How to find your org/brands conflict?  Need to take a softer look at the notion of conflict (the term conflict brings up certain imagery, feelings).  Conflict is simply something to overcome.  Ask yourself - do we want to be a company who wants to overcome things?

There's also a great made-up example (Donut Corp) provided of how an organization could find it's conflict.

Brilliant article really nails it!

Hi Folks!

Many people have been asking me when my TEDx talk will be available and it's finally be posted for viewing.

During the presentation I not only talk a bit about my background and lessons I've learned about storytelling, but I also share a simply story listening process I learned years ago from storyteller Doug Lipman.

I use the process all the time in my work -- because it's so powerful, and because it is at the root of how work gets done, and how making a difference in the world really happens. Anyone can do this process and I encourage you to try it out.

I hope you enjoy this 15 minutes and begin to relate to stories in this way. Happy story listening!

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

Inspiration on how to J"ust Story it" from the professional founder.

A Must-See: three women (happy coincidence or finally a sign that something is really changing?) introducing in a synthetic but effectively way the many aspects that characterize the new production process of interactive documentary.

Much admiration and gratitude for their open contribution.