What makes people want to help you, hire you or refer you? Hearing examples of past successes. Let’s hone your skill in talking comfortably about your expertise and the success of your organization. Learn to talk about your work without bragging. Most people won’t be there when you have your shining moments. It’s through conversation – storytelling to be exact – that people learn how to use your skills and send opportunity your way. Learn how to find, construct, and tell examples, vignettes, and stories that highlight your work. Get more comfortable and competent at teaching people what to count on you for, what to ask you for, and what kinds of opportunities and information to send your way.
Stories stick! Use your stories to gain visibility and branding when giving a workshop or speech, or when talking with your colleagues, neighbors, friends, family, vendors, suppliers, and even people more senior than you. See stories as the best way to educate your “public” about you. Learn to “toot your own horn” in appropriate ways without bragging.
Lynne will show you the 5-S formula for constructing a story using these steps: Segue, Situation, SAFNU, Solution, and Significance.
She’ll help you figure out what you want to teach others about your expertise and how to “find” or notice things that happen that can be turned into conversational stories that will do that. You’ll also get tips on how, when, and where to deliver your stories.
About the Presenter:
Lynne Waymon is CEO of Contacts Count, the international training and consulting firm that specializes in professional and business networking. She’s a recognized expert on business and professional networking and the co-author of Make Your Contacts Count (2nd edition, NY, American Management Association). In training programs, workshops, and webinars she gives people in professional services firms, government agencies, corporations, and associations, practical strategies for attracting business through networking, breaking down internal silos, and building alliances. Her strategies, in print and in person, are recognized as state-of-the-art. Lynne presented at ASTD ICE in Denver in May!