Title: The 8 Stories for Businesses and Professionals
Author: Michael Burns
Genre: Business Self Help
Publisher: White Falcon Publishing
First Publication: 2020
Language: English
Book Summary: The 8 Stories for Businesses and Professionals by Michael Burns
The 8 Stories for Businesses and Professionals is a very accessible guide to storytelling in a business, NGO, or entrepreneur-driven context. Free of clichés and dime-store advice, the book seeks to dispel pop culture conclusions about what a story is and isn’t.
In addition, in clear and concise language, the book outlines The Base, The Maker, The Vision, The Product, The Springboard, The Morale Builder, The Capsule, and The Talk which make up the 8 story formats that anyone in any organization will ever need to rely on.
The book condenses insights from South Asia’s most popular creative writing workshop all into one volume that inspires and, most importantly, prompts the reader to find his or her own stories, transforming the way that ideas and brands are introduced, promoted, and marketed. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone interested in story structure, in or outside the world of business, no matter what their previous writing or presenting experience might be.
Book Review: The 8 Stories for Businesses and Professionals by Michael Burns
If you are familiar with the movie Inception then you know the line “What is the most resilient parasite? Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea. Resilient… highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it’s almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed – fully understood – that sticks; right in there somewhere.”
People simply do not understand fact or analytical thought process and often forget numbers. This makes it hard for them to compare products or ideas and determine which one is better. Why one brand lose to another even if they offer better quality of products or services? Because they didn’t tell as good of a story.
What people do not forget are stories. Why? Because those stories create ideas. Ah yes, ideas! Those resilient little parasites. Often stories create other stories, and those who can tell a good story can often exert influence over others. Don’t believe me, then say to someone “Let me tell you a story” and see how they are immediately drawn in, and set themselves up to really listen to what you have to say.
In this day and age people have so much access to information, they no longer crave it but are overloaded by it. They want you to tell them a story so they don’t have to sift through all that information, and instead can easily remember your story. Think about how many people whose names you forget but remember their “story”. Most of have at one time or another tried to remember the guy from that beautiful city or the Girl who drives a luxurious car, and just could not remember their name.
‘The 8 Stories for Businesses and Professionals’ by Michael Burns teaches business people how to present their company, their products, and themselves in a way that is memorable and applicable to a variety of audiences. Marketing professionals would certainly benefit, but executives and employees throughout the organization should know how expressing their company and products/services can positively affect customers. Presenting yourself to a potential employer or customer should use elements of setting the hook, painting a vision, and demonstrating value. The story can help the facts stick and bring the numbers to life.
Author Michael Burns presents a logical approach with exercises and examples to demonstrate the use of story in a wide variety of situations: communications within the company, marketing, sales, job application, networking, and more.
In The 8 Stories for Businesses and Professionals, Michael Burns takes us step-by-step throughout the art of storytelling and how it can be mastered. Not only does he explain the frameworks on how to develop a story but also gives examples on execution of each framework. He encourages us at each and every stage of the book to develop our story and reflect what we have learnt. After all, learning the art of storytelling is similar to learning how to ride a bike. We can’t learn riding bike by just watching video tutorials on YouTube or watching a friend give demonstrations. You have to get on that bike, you have to hit the ignition and you have to put your hands on the throttle!
Similarly, to master the art of storytelling in marketing, you have to pick up a pen and a paper, you have to put your life experiences in those frameworks and you have to start jotting it down! Michael Burns encourages us to do just that.
This book summarizes Michael’s learning, experience and wisdom in few pages. It’s a treasure out in the open, wanting to be claimed. Next time you are making a business presentation, a start-up pitch, or an introduction for a networking event…Never underestimate the power of storytelling.
