Do you use certain words to trigger reminders? When I work on storytelling in business, my thoughts start with the bullet points of facts I hope to share. Then I remember my trigger words: Pop Century.
That's enough to remind me to dump the bullet points and move into strong storytelling mode.
Pop Century is the name of a Disney resort hotel for kids in Florida. I've never been. But a couple of years ago, after leg surgery, I went to physical therapy. My therapist, Jeff Rau, has big, strong hands. Part of his therapy was to use his hand strength to rub hard into my leg. It hurt.
I noticed after a few times that every time Jeff did this, he told me the same story about his trip to a Disney hotel called Pop Century. He described the oversized cell phone placed outside that his son liked so much.
After several therapy sessions hearing the same story, I told him, “STOP! You tell the same story every time.” A little miffed, Jeff stopped. He didn't tell me any story as he rubbed my healing leg.
It hurt twice as much.
I'm sure you get the point.
A story took my mind off the pain. It was better to hear the same story than none at all.
The lesson for business in storytelling?
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.
Take any business subject and turn it into a story. People suddenly care.
I love to share my simple storytelling in business methods with groups.
Great talk by storyteller/columnist @DaveLieber tonight at University of Charleston. Touching, funny, humble, human. pic.twitter.com/RThPjrTkB3
— vicburkhammer (@vicburkhammer) March 18, 2015
Two words. Pop Century. When I think of them, I know my job is to remove the pain.
Remember that you can bring Dave Lieber to your group. He’s an expert in storytelling for business and showing the power of storytelling to increase sales, build support, raise money and attract attention.
He’s a Certified Speaking Professional and a fabulous entertainer offering fun and funny insights to make your life better. He’s The Watchdog columnist at The Dallas Morning News.
Dave Lieber. Authentic. Engaging. Interactive.
WATCH: Dave Lieber’s 2-Minute SIZZLE REEL
WATCH: Dave Lieber TED Talk: THE POWER OF STORYTELLING TO CHANGE THE WORLD
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