Episode Five: “The Elevator Speech is Dead”
Sean talks this week about the archaic concept of the elevator speech. The elevator speech: when you learn a singular “speech” to talk about your business with new clients and customers. Rather, Sean talks about learning the power of your story to be used in different time frames. Sean also tells you the obscure Grimm tale of “Not Much.” You’ll also hear from a listener who called in to tell us his reaction to these podcasts.
Listen in: Episode Five
Posted 10 months, 1 week ago at 4:06 pm. 4 comments
The next episode of our “Storytelling and Narrative for Business Podcast” is ready for you!
Episode Four: “Storytelling is Not a ‘Soft Skill’: Sure Looked Easy”
Sean brings you some tough-love this week to help you understand that storytelling is a “hard skill” for your business. Fail that understanding and things can go bad. Get real coaching and training to sharpen your skills.
Listen in: Episode Four
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Posted 1 year ago at 5:29 pm. Add a comment
Press Release
Avondale, AZ- National storytelling expert and speaking coach, K. Sean Buvala, reviews Bobby Jindal’s “Republican Response” speech and offers four public-speaking tips gleaned from the Governor’s presentation.
Buvala, the director of the national storytelling resource site at Storyteller.net, says, “Regardless of anyone’s political preferences, the Governor’s speech illustrates that stories and storytelling can be used in any type of important speech. As a corporate storyteller, I was happy to see yet another national figure make use of story in their presentation. I also think that any person using stories can learn four things from Mr. Jindal’s speech.”
Use intentional hand gestures. Buvala says, “The Governor uses frequent, choppy hand gestures that are synchronous with the syllables of the words he speaks. It looks as if he is conducting an orchestra or cutting onions to the rhythm of his words. Speakers should plan the gestures that they will use with their stories. These intentional movements can then enhance the stories being told instead of being a distraction.”
Be careful when using “Me too” stories. Mr. Buvala continues, “While I appreciate and respect the Governor’s family story of struggling immigrants, his narrative immediately following his comments regarding the president’s family history both lessens and distracts from the power of the Governor’s background story. In order to seem less like a ’me too’ attempt at connection, the story might have served better at the end of the story. While it is a good thing that the Governor used stories, the placement of those stories must be carefully considered. ”
Use tone and pacing appropriate for your audience. Buvala notes that, “Bobby Jindal’s pacing, tone and inflection during his speech reminded me of a school teacher giving a motivational speech to young children rather than a thoughtful reaction intended for thinking adults. The constant head nodding, the sharp intake of breath between sentences and the higher pitch of his speaking took power away from his stories, perhaps making his narratives sound childish. I’d suggest that the Governor concentrate on slowing his pace, intentionally speak with a lower pitch and allow himself to breath deeply by using longer pauses more often.
Use stories to “frame” your presentation. “Finally,” says Sean Buvala, “although Mr. Jindal’s family history story might have been better placed in the speech, he does refer back to his opening story at the end of his presentation, when speaking again of his father’s words. This process, called ’framing,’ reminds the listeners of the central point of a talk, giving them a virtual ’frame’ in which to see the ideas painted with the speaker’s words.”
Buvala, who teaches monthly public workshops for business storytelling, knows that stories used in national conversations help unify listening audiences. “Governor Jindal’s use of personal stories allows the audience to understand the speaker as a human being rather than just a ’talking head’ for an ideology.”
For more information about group or private coaching in the art of storytelling for corporate or business use, please contact Sean Buvala via his website at www.seantells.net.
Contact Information:
K. Sean Buvala
www.seantells.net
(623) 298-4548
sean@storyteller.net
PO Box 392
Tolleson AZ 85353
“EXPERT CONSULTANT for the Press, Television and Radio”
Storytelling (both traditional and digital), performing artists, public speaking, corporate training, business coaching, non-profit organizations.
PROMOTIONAL PHOTOS
Promotional photos of Sean Buvala are available for download at:
http://www.seantells.com/seanbuvala_1.jpg
http://www.seantells.com/seanbuvala_2.jpg
http://www.seantells.com/seanbuvala_3.jpg
http://www.storyteller.net/sunwind/smallseanbuvala.jpg
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Posted 1 year ago at 4:00 am. Add a comment
Our next edition of the “Storytelling and Narrative for Business Podcast” is now available. This time around, we respond to a listener’s email asking about the use of jokes, anecdotes and stories. Sean discussion the differences between each of these items as well as tells you the story of “Just Enough.” Sponsored by http://www.executivespeakertraining.com and presented by http://www.seantells.net.
Please send your questions and comments to sean@storyteller.net and be sure to put “podcast comments” in the subject line.
Click below to listen in!
Storytelling In Business Podcast #3
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 5:05 pm. Add a comment
Our next edition of the “Storytelling and Narrative for Business Podcast” is now available. This week, we ask what makes a plumber worth what they are worth, talking about telling an old-hat or familiar story for your business. Sponsored by http://www.executivespeakertraining.com and presented by http://www.seantells.net.
Listen in:
Storytelling and Narrative for Business Podcast #2
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 6:22 pm. Add a comment
We’ve launched the “Storytelling in Business Podcast” presented by seantells.com and executivespeakertraining.com. These are short, easy-to-listen-to podcasts that last between 8 and 10 minutes.
We want your input, your questions. Maybe you do something interesting with Storytelling in your business? Send your comments to us at sean@storyteller.net and be sure your subject line reads something such as “podcast question” or “podcast comment.”
Storytelling in Business Podcast #1 (seantells.com)
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 4:15 pm. Add a comment
