7 practical business storytelling tips
A successful business often has a unique story to share. Shawn Callahan explains how to get your storytelling right.
The art of business storytelling is all about practice.
Here are seven practical things you can do to improve your business storytelling.
1. Never mention the ‘s’ word, as in ‘I have a story I would like to share …’ Instead, just launch into the story, starting with a sentence that helps people understand why they should listen. For example, “Business storytelling helps leaders inspire change. A few backs …”
2. Keep your stories short. It’s not a performance. You can tell a story in 30 seconds. Good business stories are 1-3 minutes long.
3. Practise telling your stories, noticing what works and what doesn’t. Start with small audiences, where the stakes are low.
4. Know the business point you’re making. And know why this story is important to you. When you do, all the unnecessary elements of the story will fall away.
5. Don’t write a story out in full when you collect it. Just jot down enough to remember it, especially important specifics like names and dates.
6. Don’t get stuck on a particular story and tell it to death. Your colleagues will hate it. Refresh you repertoire every day.
7. Tell your own stories before telling other people’s stories.
And banish the storytelling voice.
This blog first appeared on anecdote.com.au and is republished on First 5000 with the kind permission of the author.
Shawn Callahan is a pioneer in the application of story methods to business and has helped some of the world’s top companies, including IBM, Shell, AMP and KPMG, to inspire lasting change and make sure their company values really stick. He regularly publishes his world-leading ideas on Anecdote, one of Australia’s most visited blogs.
