Why Conflict Is Critical in Storytelling with Norman Bell
\u201cStorytelling is in the air for business but why is that? Why is it so important?\u201d These questions and more were at the very heart of my interview with Norman Bell, author of The Story Powered Speaker, this week on the On Brand podcast!\nAbout Norman Bell\nNorman Bell is a storytelling and presentation coach, award-winning speaker, theater and film actor, and author of the book, The Story Powered Speaker: How to Own the Stage, Enchant your Audience, and Grow Your Business Using the Magical Power of Storytelling. Norman is passionate about helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs and organizations communicate their stories and messages more effectively so that they connect with their audiences on an emotional level, which leads to more clients, more donations, and more impact.\nEpisode Highlights\nWhere do you start with storytelling? Norman often asks his workshop attendees to start with their why\u2014their origin story. \u201cI focus on telling stories on stage but it applies to all channels.\u201d\nThe trouble with business stories. Norman notes that we get business stories wrong a lot of the time. \u201cAre your business success stories really stories? They have the word story in them but we spend most of our time on the solution\u2014on our features, benefits.\u201d Norman went on to tell us about the power of conflict in the stories that we love.\nIf Star Wars was a business story ... as further proof that business focuses too much on the solution, Norman sketched out the business-story version of Star Wars (1977), which would be 80% medal ceremony rather than the final five minutes of the movie that it actually is.\nWhat brand has made Norman smile recently? He gave us two. First up, Tom's of Maine. Norman likes the daily reminder on his toothpaste to \u201cDo a little good today.\u201d Plus, as Norman noted, Tom's walks the talk. He also talked about Simone Biles's courage for taking a stand for her own mental health at the Olympics. Brave stories all the way around.\nTo learn more about Norman, check out his website, StoryPoweredSpeaker.com. He also provided his email at the end of the interview for getting a free PDF of his book!\nAs We Wrap \u2026\nDid you hear something you liked on this episode or another?\xa0Do you have a question you\u2019d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show.\nOn Brand is sponsored by my book\xa0Brand Now.\xa0Discover the seven dynamics to help your brand stand out in our crowded, distracted world.\xa0Order now and get special digital extras.\xa0Learn more.\n\n\nSubscribe to the podcast\xa0\u2013 You can subscribe to the show via\xa0Apple Podcasts,\xa0Spotify,\xa0Google Play,\xa0Stitcher,\xa0TuneIn, and\xa0RSS.\n\n\nRate and review the show\xa0\u2013 If you like what you\u2019re hearing, head over to\xa0Apple Podcasts\xa0and click that 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review. This helps others find the podcast.\n\n\nOK. How do you rate and review a podcast?\xa0Need a quick tutorial on leaving a rating/review in iTunes?\xa0Check this out.\n\nUntil next week, I\u2019ll see you on the Internet!\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices