Traditionally a strategic plan is a document-based creation of leadership, exco and senior management that is “brought down from the mountain” to be implemented throughout the organisation, mainly by people who haven’t been consulted or engaged in the process. This ‘trickle-down’ approach often becomes a source of conflict and frustration because the only power held […]
Tag: organizational storytelling
There’s nothing quite like a crisis to focus attention and galvanize groups, organisations and even countries. Many organisations routinely use crisis as a method of focusing attention, stimulating action, accelerating the pace of change and altering trajectory and focus. Typical organisational crises include reputational crisis, financial problems, product problems and recalls, conflict, competitor action & […]
From Idea to Impact So you have an idea for a story. It might be for a simple social media post or an elaborate brand campaign. But before you start writing, pause. A great story isn’t just told; it’s designed. The right questions can transform a good idea into an unforgettable narrative that resonates with […]
We may as well ask “why do people read newspapers?”, or “why do people watch television?” Somewhere in our DNA there’s a compelling vibrating strand asking so be told a story, because stories help us to survive and experience happiness. For as long as human beings have had language, children have learnt about hunting, travelling, […]
The dust blew across the parched fields as the recession and drought dragged on. The free state had been particularly hot and Piet decided he’d have to supplement the farm’s income with a bank loan. So one morning, Piet put on his Sunday best and his velskoen and drove his bakkie into town. He arrived, dusty […]
We can only appreciate story through engaging it wholeheartedly, telling it and then reflecting upon it. Does story describe? Does it possibly create as well? Is story simply the only way we have of organising memory? What is the link between language and time? What is your story? Who are you? To what extent is […]
Meaning – Stories are used to convey meaning, whether it is how to close a sale, reprimand a subordinate, motivate someone, give a presentation or something more profound Planning – Cognitive scientist William Calvin suggests that we gradually acquire the ability to formulate plans as a result of storie s we hear in childhood. From […]