Wake Me Up When The Data Is Over: How Organizations Use Stories To Drive Results

This book includes real-life examples from over 70 respected organizations, small and large, representing a multitude of industries using stories to drive results. Leaders from organizations such as Microsoft, Lands’ End, Verizon, U.S. Air Force, and World Vision demonstrate the strong positive influence stories can have. No abstract theories or platitudes are conveyed here. The book spells out how Kevin Roberts, CEO worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi, achieved sustained sales growth after several mergers and downsizings caused the organization to fall on hard times. It also shows how Erik Shaw, president and CEO of FivePoint Federal Credit Union, overcame resistance to an organizational name change, resulting in membership growth exceeding the national average.

Lori L. Silverman is the owner of Partners for Progress, a management consulting firm. As a business strategist, she has consulted with organizations in fifteen industries including financial services, insurance, manufacturing and petroleum companies, government entities, and professional associations. As a keynote speaker, Lori has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people. She has appeared on over fifty radio and television shows to speak about using stories in the workplace and is the co-author of Critical SHIFT and Stories Trainers Tell. You can reach her at lori@partnersforprogress.com and through www.partnersforprogress.com.

Foreword (Karen Dietz).

Preface.

Introduction (Sylvia L. Lovely).

Part One: How Organizations Are Using Stories in Day-to-Day Operations.

1 How Can I Help You? Service with a Smile—and a Story (Susan Stites).

2 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Unleashing the Power of People Through Stories (Marcy Fisher).

3 We Need More We and Less Me: How Stories Build Teams and Teamwork (Susan M. Osborn,Marcy Fisher).

4 You Get What You Give: Leadership in Action Through Stories (Lori L. Silverman).

5 Are We On Track? How Stories Impact Project Management (Denise Lee).

6 Who Said Money Is Everything? Story Is the New Currency in Financial Management (Alicia Korten, Karen Dietz).

7 We’ve Never Done It This Way Before: Prompting Organizational Change Through Stories (North McKinnon).

Part Two: How Organizations Are Using Stories Strategically.

8 The Sky Is Falling:When Difficult Times Call for a New Story (Michael J.Margolis).

9 Why Are We Here? Stories That Define Us (Evelyn Clark).

10 I Can See Clearly Now: Bringing Strategy Alive Through Stories (Madelyn Blair).

11 The Fog Is Lifting: Seeing Connections to Marketing and Marketing Research Through Stories (Steven N. Silverman, Susan J.Moore).

12 What’s in a Name? How Stories Power Enduring Brands (Ashraf Ramzy, Alicia Korten).

Part Three: Moving Stories into and Across the Organization.

13 It Pays to Be a Pioneer: Blazing a Trail for Stories (Lori L. Silverman).

14 What Do You Suggest We Do? Finding Answers and Ideas in Research (Jo Tyler).

15 There Are Five Sides to Every Story:Which Are You Missing? (Lori L. Silverman).

Tell Me Your Story.

Appendix 1: About the Interviewees.

Appendix 2: About the Contributors.

References.

Suggested Resources (Joanna Truitt).

Acknowledgments.

About the Editor.

Index.