I’ve just had one of those frustratingly familiar online survey experiences. I’d gone online to check out my BTOpenzone account and struggled to find any details of it on either the www.btopenzone.com or bt.com sites. And then I got a popup asking about taking a survey about the website. As someone Read more…
Two comments from people I respect have illuminated a pattern I’ve seen in many places. I first heard Dave Snowden say this a few years ago, so I’m paraphrasing: “We do things unintentionally, but we assume intention on the part of those who do things to us.” He often refers Read more…
I was asked recently for a peer-reviewed piece that demonstrates why stories are better at communicating than data. It’s all in the context. Data assumes that we all understand the figures and what they mean (and what they don’t mean) and can draw the same consequences and extrapolations from them. Read more…
One of the most effective points on which to focus when you’re trying to change an organisation’s culture is on its most recent recruits. It’s not obvious – and often left to the vagaries of HR and training to put together an induction process. But think about this: When they Read more…
"What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are." Epicetus Because all too often in communications, I’ve heard it argued that "they" (meaning employees) have got the story wrong. When actually, whatever story people have built is theirs – and no amount Read more…
I’m in Geneva today running a communications workshop and looking foolish as I struggle to get the hang of buses: how to pay, how to open bus doors and so on. In the UK, I’m used to travelling on buses and helping puzzled-looking tourists who press buttons and ask drivers questions. Read more…
Having spent last Thursday and Friday walking the streets, collecting stories from council residents, I was fascinated to see this article in the Guardian today. It’s been an interesting exercise – and crucial in many ways to helping the council in question to change its perspective on its own services. Read more…
Following yesterday’s post about the Radio Four programme on storytellers, you can listen to it again here
Thanks to Jo Twiselton and Ruth Needham, two Narrate associates, for spotting this one in time. DOCUMENTARY: The StorytellersOn: BBC Radio Four Date: Monday 23rd October 2006 Time: 11:02 to 11:30 (28 minutes long) Adrian Chiles investigates the growing ranks of Britain’s professional storytellers, guardians of our oral tradition and Read more…
What looks like a promising new book on narrative and storytelling in organisations has just been published. And if you buy between now and Thursday 19th October (i.e. tomorrow…), there’s a collection of free additions to your purchase! Click here to buy the book:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0787982709?ie=UTF8&tag=sayitwithasto2-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0787982709 Afterwards, click here to get your Read more…