What Do You Mean By Storytelling in Business?

Storytelling is about power.

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be used to engage and motivate audiences. When used effectively, stories can help simplify complex concepts, make data more relatable, and create an emotional connection with your audience.

When people choose to be part of a story, they are choosing to be part of a community. When people choose to be part of a community, they are choosing to be part of something bigger than themselves. This is where storytelling is powerful. It’s the power of connection.

Stories Connect the Dots

Stories have the power to connect people, align technology with solutions, and empower businesses cases. They have the power to establish a connection in a way that even the most highly skilled SME or fact cannot. In business, we shy away from telling stories because it seems fluffy, something my grandma would tell me or “not serious enough.” But this is a mistake. There is a power in storytelling, and it will be the key to your success.?

While there are many different ways to incorporate storytelling into your business conversations and presentations, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that your story should always have a clear purpose. Whether you're trying to sell a product, inspire your team, or simply communicate information in a more effective manner.

It's time to Re-Think your mental model of a story in business.?

Every single day, we tell stories to make connections with people. We share those stories for validation, for understanding, for connection. But stories can also be a form of art. They can transform the way we see the world and we engage with it.

We are suffering from Information Overload:

We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in a work meeting, doodling on your notepad as the person presenting rambles on and on about , something you will forget 10 min later. Your mind starts to wander and before you know it, you’re thinking about what you’re going to have for lunch. But I ask you, how much information did you retain from the work meetings you’ve had this week?

You probably can't remember much, if anything at all, from the multitude of teams or in person meetings you've had this week. If I were to question you about the details of a presentation shown in a meeting yesterday, could you recite them without having to open up that PowerPoint?again? Most people can't remember much from meetings.?

This is because our brains are wired to better remember stories than facts and figures. In fact, research has shown that we only retain 10% of the information we hear three days later. But if that information is presented to us as a story, we retain 65% of it three days later. So if you want your audience to remember your presentation, tell them a story.

The Power of Business Story telling?

• Stories are a way to make your business or organization stand out.
• Stories make your brand a part of the story- an integral part that people can’t ignore.
• Stories are a way to create a connection with your audience.
• Stories are a powerful tool for any business.

Some people are born storytellers, but luckily for the rest of us, storytelling is a skill that can be learned. And like any skill, the more you practice, the better you will become.

Here are some tips on how to tell a good business story:

1. Keep it relevant - Your story should be relevant to your audience and to the point you are trying to make. It should be about something that happened to you or someone you know, and it should illustrate a key point or lesson learned.
2. Make it relatable - Your audience should be able to relate to your story in some way. They should be able to see themselves in the characters or situation you are describing.
3. Make it concrete - Stories that are rich in detail and sensory language are more impactful than those that are abstract and vague. Use concrete images and specific details to bring your story to life for your listener.

Stories have the ability to engage us on an emotional level and create a connection with the storyteller. When we are emotionally invested in a story, we are more likely to remember it. This is why stories are so powerful in business presentations.

Using stories in business presentations can help you:

• Make complex topics relatable and easy to understand
• Engage your audience and keep them interested
• Persuade your audience to see things from your point of view
• Leave a lasting impression on your audience

While it may be tempting to simply rattle off a series of statistics or data points, this is not the most effective way to get your audience attention and?remember your message. Instead, take the time to craft a few stories that illustrate your points and help your audience better understand the information.

So next time you’re asked to give a presentation at work, ditch the traditional PowerPoint deck full of bullet points and graphs. Instead, craft an engaging story that will capture your audience’s attention , build business case , and stick with them long after your presentation is over.