Corporate Storytelling

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CORPORATE STORYTELLING:
Discovering Fire for the Second Time
Vol. 6 Number 5 2006

Publisher: Evelyn Clark
evelyn@corpstory.com http://www.corpstory.com

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'All (leaders) can do is relate the successful experiences you've had within the company. What else have we got besides stories? That's what really hits home with people; it's what brings meaning to the work we do.'

--Jim Sinegal, Cofounder, President & CEO
Costco Wholesale

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IN THIS ISSUE

1. A Leader's Response to 'What about Me?'

2. How Do You Write a Compelling Story?

3. Capture Corporate Stories in Hardbound Books

4. Capturing Favorite Memories: Publish A Low-Cost Book

1. A Leader's Response to 'What about Me?'

As the rate of change keeps speeding up in the corporate world, employees are feeling stranded. As Susan H. Cramm wrote recently in CIO magazine, it often seems IT people (and, Evelyn would add, employees in any part of many organizations) are asked to get everything in order so the company can outsource their work. Cramm says leaders in these situations can't afford to let individuals answer the question weighing on their minds: 'What about me?'

'Without a clear picture of the future and their role within it, people will assume that the future doesn't include them,' Cramm writes. 'The best and brightest will survive, but they will not necessarily remain with the organizations that need them....One of the ways leaders can answer the 'What about me?' question is through storytelling. Stories add meaning and context to work. What's needed is a cogent tale explaining why IT's future is brighter now than at any time in the past.'

For Cramm's entire column, go to http://cio.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1948203901

2. How Do You Write a Compelling Story?

'You've convinced me that storytelling is an effective way to communicate, but what do we do if we don't know how to craft a good story?' That's a question that's often asked when Evelyn delivers keynotes and leads workshops--and it's an insightful question. It's crucial to select the right story for the right occasion and audience--and to shape it effectively. Writing skills also are key to career development. According to a study by The National Commission on Writing, two-thirds of salaried employees in large American companies have some writing responsibility.

If you lack confidence in your writing--and that's stopping you from using stories (and potentially stalling your career)--you may want to check out a great article that was published by careerbuilder.com. The article discusses four basic but essential steps to creating a coherent message of any kind, including stories. Go to: http://msn.careerbuilder.com

3. Capturing Corporate Stories in Hardbound Books

When you've created well-written story--or amassed a collection--you can now publish them as a book--easily and cost effectively.

Last month we told you about an online service that enables you to collaborate on family myths and legends and store them online. Already there's a more exciting new online service to tell you about. It, too, offers a series of online templates that guide you through the process of creating and publishing your own hardbound books! Heritage Makers has created all the tools you'll need to commemorate any occasion you can imagine:

Significant company anniversaries
Major corporate achievements
Acquisitions and mergers
Retirements of key people, such as founders and executives
Project celebrations
Employee recognition and rewards
Client gifts

For more information on how you can easily create and publish your own high-quality books, cards, posters, etc., go to www.capturecorporatestories.com

4. Capturing Family Stories: Publish A Low-Cost Book

The same tools for publishing corporate books can be used to capture favorite memories in your personal life: family, friends, neighbors, etc.

Significant family gatherings, such as holiday dinners and reunions
Vacations
Weddings
Births
Highlights of your children's growing-up years
Graduations
Special times with friends
Class reunions
Any time when you want to give a gift that will be cherished

For more information on how you can easily create and publish your own high-quality books, cards, posters, etc. cost effectively, go to www.capturefamilystories.com

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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.

Evelyn Clark, The Corporate Storyteller
Author, Around the Corporate Campfire
t. 1-425-827-3998 (Seattle area)
e. evelyn@corpstory.com
w. www.corpstory.com

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