Storytelling for Business and Training

Due to operational demands, we can only offer this course as an in-house event

The fee for this 1-day course is circa £1750 + VAT.

This course is ideal for 6 to 9 students. Please Contact us

Here's a synopsis of the course's activities:

• We'll discuss the curse of knowledge and narrow it down to focus on distilling a concise message with an emotional punch
• the Plot Twist Project - during the lockdown, I had the privilege of interviewing over 200 Indy authors and discussing their plot twist secrets.
• I have compiled a meta-analysis of these twists, and we'll discuss the motives and behaviours of the protagonists 
• 7 classic story structures
• 2 essential ingredients for an engaging story
• 3 magical contrasts to bind your story to the listener
• How to recognise, access and harness the stories that surround us
• How to make your message stick
• How to make the mundane memorable
• How to deliver with confidence, coherence and clarity

Some jobs require that we're heads down at our desks with little time to stretch our creative instincts.

This course utilises case studies and topical business/world issues to demonstrate the power and impact of storytelling.

What are the big brands doing to capture your attention?

We'll discuss popular brands and debate their tactics and effectiveness.

What could you and your company do differently to tell your story? 

What are your customers and clients saying about your brand?

You're already a step closer to success because you can access our extensive research and insights.

You must dive into the material supporting your work and your company's brand and interests.

In 2023, the economic forecasts are predicting a post-COVID bounceback. Make sure that you're a part of that progressive movement.

Please sign up now, and I look forward to working with you soon.

The College of Public Speaking promotes inclusivity, diversity, and equality.

Research tells us that in the US, 25-35% of GDP can be attributed to storytelling activities by brands.

That's trillions and trillions of dollars every year. Are you making a reasonable contribution at personal and professional levels to that value?

Some quick win suggestions in your communication strategy:

a) does your brand help your customer achieve their goals?

b) does your brand help your customers positively portray themselves to the world?

c) does your brand make your customer's life more meaningful?

d) does your brand bestow your customer with emotional benefits?

In this course, we take you to the toolshed and introduce you to the implements that impact the world of communication.

We use some tools for heavy lifting, and others for drilling and raking. You'll find most of the tools in our toolshed, and we'll guide you to the others.

You're probably already familiar with some, but you're not using them consciously and not reaping what you've sown. 

Most of the time, these tools hide in plain sight. But once you've explored the toolshed and polished some of these items, your world finds an extra dimension and an alternative lens. 

We'll help you see opportunities that were previously missed. You'll be adding value to your company and your professional outlook.

We find these tools on CVs, blog posts, in advertisements (both TV and online), team meetings, conferences, conventions and anywhere where people communicate with clients, customers, and suppliers).

Would you be excited to sell your company's story? Yes? Then what are you doing to hook your customers and clients?

This course is designed to help you do just that. Through storytelling, build a strong hook that creates an emotional response in your clients.

Your competitors are telling stories, and whoever tells the best story wins. 

So can we help you generate revenues, improve quality, gain market share, or save time?

Would that motivate you to learn more about how you can become your brand's go-to person of influence?

Great speakers, trainers and coaches are masters at creating simple images that linger in the audience's mind.

We must paint pictures that resonate long after the speech/pitch/blog is over.

A good story well told secures you the job at an interview or a promotion at work.

Confident communication that cashes in on compelling stories conjures a competitive advantage over your colleagues.

Are you a lawyer, a judge, a lawmaker? Do you tell stories about how you help acquit the innocent and punish the guilty in the courtroom?

Do you work in marketing, PR, Advertising, Leadership, Management, HR or Learning and Development? 

Are you an activist or work at a think tank? Are you holding the governments of the world to account through storytelling?

Do you write blogs with stories? Are you a journalist that weaves disparate voices into a coherent narrative?

It's the difference between being stuck in a hole and flying high. With a little practice, you'll deserve your wings.

This skill changes people's perceptions allowing customers to stride the path to your brand's door.

What is the difference that makes the difference between your brand and your clients? We'll help you find the magic source..

What's the story that you're sharing with the world?  What's the story your colleagues tell about you? Perception is everything.

If you could be 10% more effective in your persuasive work, what impact would that have on your profession?  

Stories and well-chosen visual imagery create the reputation of a formidable communicator.

Billionaire Warren Buffett speaks encouragingly about the impact of improving his communication skills. Arguably, he says it's the best investment in his life.

There are many ways of telling stories; the simpler, the better.

There's the video story below. Low budget, but this award-winning advert hugely impacted the advertising industry.

This one in the same style tells another simple but effective tale about Volkswagen.

Moving forward in time - what are people saying about your brand?

A focus on stories, metaphors and images brings immense advantages. It makes you curious to find out what happens:

1. From the listener's point of view, a well-crafted image or story is more memorable and engaging than a download of dry statistics and research data.
2. And from the speaker's point of view, having a presentation structured around clear images and stories is easier to prepare and more natural to deliver.
3. Stars of blockbuster movies and serials know less about the show than their avid fans. A great story sticks in the mind. It creates emotional traction.

An engaging story improves the fundamentals of vocal variety, eye contact and the quality, subtlety and expanse of your gestures.

Have you struggled to 'find' stories in the past? What are the stories in the image above? Three jump off the page at me.

Powerful stories and potent images surround us daily. Often they're hiding in plain sight.

You need to know where to focus your attention to harvest this gold.

Disney promotes family values in their films. Our children's bookshelves overflow with myths and rhymes filled with subtle messages, home truths and moral guidance.

You're familiar with the stories of Adam and Eve. Cain and Abel and Newton's apple? They're hard to forget.

Can you remember where you were 9/11? It's not that you choose to remember; it's indelibly imprinted on your brain, so strong was the emotional human impact.

Excellent speakers harness the power of persuasive imagery because they know that facts and figures don't move us to action, but stories, images, and metaphors create an emotional shift.

This 1 Day course in Stories, Pictures and Metaphors aims to help you broaden your range of communication skills on the continuous journey to becoming a truly memorable speaker.

You'll discover how to source and craft compelling content and how to design and construct vivid metaphors that reinforce your message.

About the venue - Voluntary Action Islington is Islington Council's hub for charity and voluntary organisations. During the COVID pandemic, VAI's management enhanced the quality of the training rooms and upgraded the resource facilities. We have hired rooms at VAI for the last ten years, and we're delighted that our fees support community initiatives. Over the years, we've also run many pro bono sessions for VAI and voluntary sector staff. We are delighted to be back in the building after the 15-month COVID hiatus.