STORYTELLING FOR BusinesS
Persuasive communication is a must have skill- whether your goal is to articulate the benefits of a product or service to customers, to motivate team members to get on board with a new strategy, or to persuade stakeholders to take support an ambitious project. However, when using storytelling to with the intent of achieving these goals, many people find themselves stuck, leaving their audiences unmotivated and unengaged. In this workshop, you will learn best practices designed to develop engaging personal stories for breakthrough business communication.
Key Takeaways:
1.) Recognize the steps needed to increase awareness about your brand, services, products and ideas by creating engaging narratives.
2.) Learn the aspects of storytelling including theme, structure, sensory details, scenes, summaries, authenticity and decision making.
3.) Apply the 7 key principles of personal and business storytelling to effectively communicate a broad range of goals.
4.) Craft a compelling story that can be used to communicate with consumers, internal and external stakeholders and fellow peers in a way that demonstrates values, evokes emotion and illuminates potential.
5.) Utilize a framework to apply stories in various professional settings, including client presentations, strategic planning and partnership development.
Typical Formats:
1) Speech / Presentation: 45- 60 minutes
This option is ideal for organizations that want an introduction to the fundamentals of storytelling for business, and have a limited time frame for coaching. Can be structured as a keynote or interactive workshop for both small and larger groups.
2) Interactive Workshop: 2 - 3 hours (half day) or 4- 7 hours (full day)
This option is common for many organizations that want to be able to delve into the fundamentals of storytelling for business, while allowing participant the opportunity to present their stories to the colleagues and receive professional communications coaching. Training may also focus on issues such as the use of figures and data to compliment stories, or storytelling as is relates to media, marketing or innovation strategies. Usually works best for groups of 20 or less.
3) Presentation & Workshop: 3 - 4 hours / 1 or 2 days
This training is typically delivered over the course of one or two days and allows for participants to learn the technical aspects of storytelling for business, receive group and individual coaching and enhance skills related to giving active/ participatory feedback. Training may also focus on issues such as the use of figures and data to compliment stories, or storytelling as is relates to media, marketing or innovation strategies.
Testimonials
“We hired Fraser’s Edge, LLC for a storytelling workshop. It was 5 total hours, over 3 days, designed to train around 50 folks. She hired 9 coaches to support small group coaching. Throughout the proposal, ideation, planning & finalizing phases, Dawn was great to work with, always responsive, thoughtful & prepared.
Afterward, the session had great feedback. Folks thought it was a good use of their time (92% agree/strongly agree) and they loved the opportunity to share their story & build community with fellow attendees (from one attendee: “this is my best experience/meeting so far since I started 2 months ago”). They also had high praise for the authenticity & talent of the coaches and the small group sessions. (100% thought their coach was effective. And from one attendee: “The session was phenomenal, and was something that really brought the community together in a truly authentic and connective way.)
We’re already actively looking for opportunities to work with Dawn again!”
“Our organization, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) had the opportunity to work with Dawn to help revamp APIAHF’s 9-month Health Rising Leadership Fellows program to include storytelling as a leadership practice. Throughout the planning and curriculum development process, Dawn generously shared her experiences and insights while being mindful of cultural considerations that might impact her planned discussions and activities. We’ve now partnered on two cohorts of fellows together. In facilitating the storytelling-related modules of our programming, Dawn demonstrated her strong ability to help people identify the stories inside them that are yearning to be told. She then provided valuable guidance and feedback to each of our Fellows to continue to shape one of those stories. We’ve now had 4 storyshare events — that were at times hilarious and at times emotionally heart-tugging — where each Fellow authentically and powerfully shared a part of their personal journey.”
“Dawn’s teaching and facilitation style and ability to connect with all of us in a short space of time. Her examples were relevant, clear and actionable. The practice time we had was well guided. I thought it was an excellent use of my time.”