CORPORATE STORYTELLING:
Discovering Fire for the Second Time
Vol. 6 Number 6 2006
Publisher: Evelyn Clark
evelyn@corpstory.com http://www.corpstory.com
(c) Clark & Company 2006
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'We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human experience.'
--e.e. cummings
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. The Evolution of the Experience Economy
2. Experiences from the Farm Economy
4. Corporate Storytelling Live
1. The Evolution of the Experience Economy
Storytelling takes many forms, each with the potential to make a powerful impact on those who read, hear or experience the telling. When several media are expertly combined, they create a truly memorable experience. In a fascinating article describing the Origins Centre on the Wits campus in Johannesburg, South Africa, author Neil Fraser begins the article with comments from a PriceWaterhouseCoopers publication that defines the new 'experience economy' in first-class cities as a blending of innovation and business. The experience itself is an 'encounter between people who seek experiences and cities which want to offer them...in which cultural life and industry meet productively.'
The Origins Centre tells the story of African culture, as Fraser says, in a way 'that is brilliantly conceived and presented. It is a story told through a mixture of static displays - beautifully presented - and film, video and interactive computer programmes that is as good, if not better, than anything I have seen worldwide.'
To learn more about the museum experience, you may wish to read the entire article at http://www.joburg.org.za/citichat/2006/june26_citichat21.stm
2. Experiences from the Farm Economy
Valuing the indigenous economy has taken a more traditional form in Whatcom County in northern Washington state. An attorney with family ties to farming wants to ensure that people appreciate the contributions farmers have made, and still make, to the local economy. Teaming up with the local storytelling guild, attorney Philip Buri and other members of a country-wide leadership team collected oral histories from regional farmers, which the storytellers then shared with the public at a community event.
'We were all astounded by how interesting the stories were,' Buri said, as quoted in an article in The Bellingham Herald. 'Not just sentimental stories, but how people have to adapt to changing circumstances, the changing economy, changes to farming.' The hope is that the story collection will some day be housed in a storytelling so they won't be forgotten and instead will continue to bridge the gap between the area's more dominant urban economy and the traditional farming economy from which it emerged. For the entire article on the joint storytelling project, go to http://news.bellinghamherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060529/COLUMNISTS01/605290324
3. Time for Reflection
One of the reasons that people are embracing the ancient practice of storytelling, especially in the U.S., is that most of us are so busy, we've convinced ourselves we don't have time to experience the ancient practice of talking to one another! Having a designated time for a work team to gather and share best practices, or an event where we can go to be entertained and informed through other people's stories, gives us permission to relax and enjoy listening to one another's stories. In doing so, we're able to reflect on our own experiences, consider lessons learned from them, and recall cherished memories.
Without the prompting of a scheduled meeting, corporate retreat, or community event that includes storytelling, how often do you give yourself permission to take a 'time out' for reflection? Author John Baldoni, whose latest book is How Great Leaders Get Great Results, offers fascinating insights from other leading minds, such as Jim Collins, on the importance of reflection--and he also shares the valuable outcomes from a recent reflection-focused gathering at The Wharton School. For his article, go to http://www2.darwinmag.com/read/feature/baldoni_06272006.cfm
4. Corporate Storytelling Live
Facilitating corporate retreats and meetings is one of the services The Corporate Storyteller provides. One of the most recent meetings she planned and facilitated was for a group of managers at a major software company who gathered to share best practices. By hiring a facilitator to lead the discussion, the program director was assured that the meeting would run smoothly, stay on time, engage participation from everyone, and remain centered on positive interaction. The presence of a facilitator also enabled the director to focus on listening to each person and understand their recommendations. The meeting was rated a great success by everyone who participated, including the director's new boss, who had planned to simply 'sit in' but became engaged in the lively discussion.
Evelyn's agenda this fall includes facilitating a retreat with healthcare executives in New York and leading workshops for organizations in the Northwest.
To book The Corporate Storyteller live--or arrange a 'virtual appearance'--call toll-free: 1-866-818-8079. Virtual appearances occur when you provide a copy of Around the Corporate Campfire: How Great Leaders Use Stories to Inspire Success to your leadership team and other executives. It's a valued resource among leaders throughout the U.S. and around the world, helping them while they're in training and as they move up the ranks. (Special rates are available for bulk orders.)
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Need help with your stories or your storybooks? Engage Help your executive team and your upcoming leaders use the power of storytelling to engage your employees in your vision and keep them focused on your mission. Book The Corporate Storyteller for your next conference or retreat. Call 1-866-818-8079.
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