Let Me Tell You a Little Story

Once upon a time there was a businessperson who had the task of convincing an audience of the need for the business to plan better for the future. Instead of starting out with a spreadsheet and a long list of numbers he started with a story we all know, "The Three Little Pigs." He engaged his audience with the brilliance of the little pig who built his house out of brick then used that metaphor to segue into his discussion of long-term planning.

There are many ways to communicate depending on the message you need to deliver, who the targeted recipient is, and the urgency of the message.

The military officer orders.
The advertiser entices.
The leader inspires.
The trainer, supervisor, or coach motivates.

Since few of us are in a position to communicate by barking orders, we have to learn to become more effective in enticing, inspiring, and motivating. Perhaps the most effective method is to think back to the days when you were a child and your parents told you a bedtime story. Many of these stories are parables ? a short tale that illustrates a lesson or moral attitude in an entertaining manner. Compare the well-known childhood favorite, "The Little Engine That Could" with a lecture on the values of "persistence." The story is really a romantic rendition that captures the imagination of a youngster so much better than a discussion of sticking to a task. But stories are not just for little kids, we all listen more intently when we are entertained.

Listeners become engaged when being told a story. Our comprehension and empathy increases as we identify with the circumstances, the people, and events that we imagine when an entertaining story is told with skill and emotion. A story is so much better than a dry, factual laundry list of "do's" and "do nots."

When you have to convince, motivate, inspire, sell, or entertain, think of preparing your communication in a form your audience will react to with enthusiasm and wonder. It will help them better prepare for the day that big bad wolf comes to huff and puff and blow the house down.

Larry Galler coaches and consults with high-performance executives, professionals, and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday since November 2001) business column, "Front Lines with Larry Galler" Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com

---

Tips to Temper Speaking Anxiety

People take it for granted that leaders have achieved some... Read More

Media Training Tips: Maximising Your Media Moment

Media training is a 'must do' professional development program for... Read More

Create A Better Impresion With Your Emails

How do you come across in your emails?As I receive... Read More

Business Presentations - Use Power Pitching - Get the Personal Edge

Whenever and whatever you're pitching, dozens of factors will figure... Read More

Show the World Your Wares Easily and Inexpensively

You've spent a lot of time preparing your PowerPoint presentations... Read More

Painless Presentations

Did the "Painless" part of the title get your attention?Speaking... Read More

Writing The Query Letter

The query letter is simply a business letter that serves... Read More

Tech Tips: PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint Slide Shows

Whether you use a mouse or a remote control to... Read More

Projector Hire - Choosing the Right One for Your Presentation

Calling a projector hire company will often get you confused... Read More

Choosing a Company Shirt vendor

Where can you choose a company shirt vendor? There are... Read More

Powerpoint Sales Presentations Are Boring - Stop It!

As the meeting began, the project manager of the buying... Read More

How Storytelling Can Grow Your Business

People love stories. We love to hear about other people,... Read More

Using Your Audience to Your Advantage

Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a... Read More

Transitions: Building Bridges to Your Points

Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train... Read More

Cell Phone Dos And Dont During A Meeting

What would we do without our cell phones? Wow, there's... Read More

10 Profitable Tips for Creating Better Sales Presentations

No matter what your business is, you will enhance your... Read More

Planning a Group Meeting

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE FACILITATOR: As chairperson, focus on the... Read More

Watch Out For Power Thieves

"I'm not an expert on this topic, but . .... Read More

10 Tips For Bringing Your Event To Life

Your job as an event planner doesn't stop with the... Read More

How to Make Good Use of Your Web Conference Session

Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More

Nonverbal Communication in Business

There are five key elements that can make... Read More

Powerful Presentations: How to Write and Deliver a Presentation to Remember

If the mere thought of standing up in front of... Read More

Polishing Your Sales Presentation

Summer is here! It's time to bring out your summer... Read More

Wow! Is That ME? - Creating a Powerful One-Page Bio

First of all, what is a bio sheet and why... Read More

Speech in Business

The social skills of a small businessperson, franchisee, independent contractor... Read More

Conducting Successful Training Activities

Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More

Close Deals in Record Time!

Remember back when the ability to create a slide show... Read More

The Ten Essential Tips On Writing A Powerful And Persuasive Presentation

Have you ever had to give a speech?Do you remember... Read More

Four Different Ways People Process Your Information

There are four different ways that audience members assimilate information.... Read More

Special Delivery! Tips for Improving Your Humor

Delivering humorous speeches involves a lot more than simply having... Read More

Give Your Audience Something to Talk About

There is an old saying: "The first thing to do... Read More

Qualities of Good Communication

Webster's Dictionary defines communication as "a giving or exchanging of... Read More

Media Training 101: Mastering the Television Interview

As I travel around the world I always enjoy sampling... Read More