Blog Catalog

If You Care About Storytelling, Bookmark "Why's This So Good?"

Don't let the words fool you.

This isn't the latest addition to the Food Network.

"Why's This So Good?" comes from Nieman Storyboard, part of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard.

Enjoyed the way Andrea Pitzer describes the new feature:

"… we thought it would be intriguing to host a series of one-off posts by some of our favorite writers looking at classic narrative nonfiction, breaking down the magic of specific stories. Think of it as shop talk. Or a great bar conversation - minus the noise, the alcohol, and the guy spilling his Jägermeister down your back."

Even if you subscribe to the theory that spilled Jägermeister can be an icebreaker, here's an opportunity to look over the shoulders of journalists as they break down storytelling on business and other rea

Updated: October 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am  |  Posted: October 20th, 2011 at 08:34 am
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Revisiting How Organizations Tell Their Stories

Most organizations waste the "About Us" section on their web sites.

This is the property's big moment to woo you. If there was ever a place on a web site to apply storytelling techniques, it's here.

Yet, the section typically regurgitates the company party line.

I'm going to periodically take a look at an organization's "About Us" section.

Today's "lucky" winner is a union, the Steamfitters Local 602.

Now, you might be thinking if any organization was going to shape its narrative with dogma, it would be a union.

And you would be wrong.

The Local 602 tells its story in a straight-forward and conversational manner.

Let's break it down John Madden style:

We build and service heating, air co

Updated: October 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am  |  Posted: October 18th, 2011 at 09:48 am
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MIT's Technology Review Reflects on Steve Jobs, the Storyteller

Many of the articles on the passing of Steve Jobs highlighted his Stanford commencement speech and his gift for storytelling.

I raked the media coverage to see if anyone actually focused on his communications expertise.

A few did with the best one ironically coming from MIT's media property, Technology Review.

David Zax penned a post simply titled, "Steve Jobs, Storyteller" which kicks off:

Among the many things that made Steve Jobs, who died yesterday, a genius was the fact that he was, at heart, a storyteller.

Later, Zax resurrects his 1985 interview in Playboy that I'd forgotten about.

Check out these words from more than 25 years ago:

He is on a mission, preaching the Gospel of salvation through the personal computer, preferably one manufactured by Apple. He is an engaging pitchman and never l

Updated: October 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am  |  Posted: October 13th, 2011 at 09:55 am
Related Posts: storytelling techniques business storytelling steve jobs storytelling passion in communications

A Troubled Nation Needs a Real Leader, Not a Storyteller

That's the subhead for a Wall Street Journal column crafted by Peggy Noonan earlier in the month.

It triggered over 700 posted comments which says something about the topic.

After her preamble that patriotism is alive and well even as the country struggles to find its mojo, we get to the heart of the matter:

"Are those running for president aware of the fix we're in? I'm not sure they are. For one thing, if they knew, they wouldn't look so dementedly chipper. And they wouldn't all be talking about The Narrative. Which is all I heard once I came back East."

Love the phrase "dementedly chipper" (a nod to cult movie Fargo I believe).

But to her point and I think it's worthy one, its weird how politicians including President Obama have embraced THE Narrative as the latest magic wand.

Updated: October 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am  |  Posted: October 11th, 2011 at 09:59 am
Related Posts: peggy noonan how leaders communicate narrative in politics president obama storytelling

May Steve Jobs Rest in Peace

So many great stories and memories on Steve Jobs have been shared over the past 24 hours.

As you would expect, Journal colunnist Walt Mossberg crafts a fitting tribute on Steve the person.

My favorite visual goes back to his "kid days" when he landed on the cover of Time Magazine.

Given Steve's storytelling acuity, he provided plenty of fodder for this forum over the years.

Here are three posts from the archives:

To borrow words, he was "insanely great."

Updated: October 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am  |  Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 04:18 pm
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Open Letter To Art Howe On Public Relations And Image Restoration

Dear Artie,

It is OK to call you Artie?

Anyway, I'll get to the point.

Your rush to join the talk-show circuit after the debut of "Money Ball" generated some good news and bad news.

Let's start with the good news.

You didn't send your wife to do your bidding and talk to the media.

Thank goodness you're a student of history. That's how you so deftly navigated the righty-lefty match-ups, right?

I bet you analyzed how playing the wife card didn't work for Nicolas Sarkozy and decided to take a pass on this tactic.

Smart.

Now the bad news.

You came off as silly, publicly discussing how "Money Ball" wronged you.

C'mon, it's a movie.

This is Hollywood, not C-SPAN.

Nuance and shades of gray don't

Updated: October 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am  |  Posted: October 4th, 2011 at 07:21 am
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Rationalizing Time Earmarked For Social Media

We already know participating in social media requires time.

But how many of us scrutinize the ROI associated with this time?

I hadn't until a friend and colleague asked me the following questions:

It's obvious you've made a commitment to social media. How do you justify the time? Can you attribute new clients to your social media effort? Do you believe existing clients stay because of your presence?

All fair questions.

Let me take a crack at responding.

At the macro level, social media increasingly serves as a platform for storytelling. With storytelling a core component of the Agency's brand, it's logical that I participate in the channel.

Updated: October 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am  |  Posted: September 29th, 2011 at 08:37 am
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Translating Infographic On Storytelling Techniques Into Video

We posted our infographic called "Storytelling vs. Corporate Speak" last week.

In brainstorming a communications push behind the infogrpaphic with social media guru Steve Farnsworth, he suggested developing supporting assets like a video.

Rather than put me on video pontificating about the infographic - not good TV, to be kind - we decided to take a more creative approach.

I particularly like the vignette that kicks off "But for some reason, business communication often goes terribly wrong." Hopefully, we didn't violate any copyrights by borrowing from Seinfeld. (If we did, I'm sure I'll be hearing from Kramer,)

Kudos to Sheri Baer and Tom Wohlmut who created the video.

Updated: October 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am  |  Posted: September 27th, 2011 at 07:57 am
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Infographic: Storytelling Vs. Corporate Speak

Visual storytelling demands a place in any organization's business communications.

Photos, graphics, charticles - apparently, when it comes to fish, what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas - etc. all provide storytelling fodder.

Which brings me to the infographic.

You could make an argument that the infographic is the new black.

Beyond the visual appeal, infographics push companies to communicate at the industry level.

After assisting clients in creating infographics, we've created our own on storytelling.

Specifically, we contend there's often a gap between the content developed by the PR function and the type of content needed by journalists, bloggers and other influencers.

Our infographic strives to capture this disconnect.

Updated: September 25th, 2011 at 09:35 am  |  Posted: September 22nd, 2011 at 07:57 am
Related Posts: infographics visual storytelling data visualization business communications corporate speak

Should a CEO Be Blasted For Dull Clich�s?

I've been considering this question since August 22, 2011.

That's when The Financial Times column, "Chief Googler's 'amazing' clichés are dull and void" appeared.

Lucy Kellaway took Larry Page to task for his poor communications on the Motorola acquisition.

Channeling high school biology, she dissected the following statement from Page phrase by bloody phrase:

"Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers."

Look, no one is going to mistake Mr. Page for Faulkner.

But do dull language and clichés leave him wanting as a leader?

I don't think so.

We ask our leaders to be real.

By all accounts, this is who Pa

Updated: September 25th, 2011 at 09:35 am  |  Posted: September 20th, 2011 at 07:30 am
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