June 2005 archive
28th Jun 2005 @ 3.57pm
The Xerox Chairman and CEO, Anne M Mulcahy, was interviewed in the March issue of Fast Company magazine under the heading What I Know Now. Among other things she talks about the importance of storytelling:
Storytelling is hugely important. At our town meetings, the most frequently asked question wasn’t whether we’d survive, but what we would look like when we did. I got great advice: Write a story. We wrote a Wall Street Journal article, because they had been particularly nasty about us, dated five years out…
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posted by Alison Esse
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filed under Elsewhere
28th Jun 2005 @ 10.42am
While we eagerly anticipate the launch of the next Harry Potter book, John Simmons for The Observer looks at how businesses and brands have been ‘crying out for clarity and emotional engagement’. What better way to build a brand - as J K Rowling has done so innocently and successfully - than through the telling of stories? This is a great article which supports our own belief in the power of storytelling in business…
posted by Alison Esse
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filed under Brands
24th Jun 2005 @ 3.38pm
I saw this on the back of The Week magazine… how clever to use a story as advertising this way:-
The Peculiar Incident of the Fishmonger Performing on Hilary’s Kitchen Table
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posted by Alison Esse
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filed under Stories
24th Jun 2005 @ 11.31am
Another piece of research from across the pond tells us that a growing number of American employees are unproductive, dissatisfied and disengaged, often creating a negative impact on their business. It’s a lesson we can learn here - the same rules apply.
posted by Paul Honeywell
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filed under Engagement
24th Jun 2005 @ 9.13am
Here’s a story. I was going to buy a train ticket from Oxford to Halifax, via Kings Cross, yesterday morning. The very nice man in the ticket office advised me that being peak travel time it would cost £185. He said he hoped that I wasn’t going to have to pay for it personally, and went on to advise me to drive. So I did. Thank you for the advice, First Great Western.
posted by Alison Esse
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filed under Stories
21st Jun 2005 @ 11.04am
One of the greatest storytellers of this century has explained in the Sunday Times how, in an era where digital technology brings so much to life, the imagination still plays a vital role in good storytelling.
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posted by Martin Clarkson
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filed under Misc
21st Jun 2005 @ 9.38am
CEO’s beware. According to USA Today many executives are disengaged - not just lower ranking employees. This spells trouble for organisations if those at the top - who need to be seen as the corporate torch-bearers - are not united behind the corporate goal.
posted by Alison Esse
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filed under Engagement
6th Jun 2005 @ 3.10pm
I wholeheartedly agree with Keith Coats’ views on the leadership of the future, and the need to foster, nurture, grow and develop relationships within a business. Yes, yes, yes, I hear my team say in unison - it is that deep-seated relationship deep within the business that reflects how we deal with our customers, clients, suppliers and colleagues…
posted by Alison Esse
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filed under Soundbites
5th Jun 2005 @ 5.43pm
‘Thou shalt not’ is soon forgotten, but ‘Once upon a time’ will last forever…
posted by Martin Clarkson
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filed under Soundbites
5th Jun 2005 @ 5.27pm
Wise words in MT from the CEO of Ofcom…
All organisations are no more than the sum total of the talent of their people and the energy they bring to bear on their task
posted by Marcus Hayes
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filed under Soundbites
3rd Jun 2005 @ 6.40pm
I’m a passionate believer in innovation. By that, I mean doing thing differently, or better, and always to answer a genuine need. I have been privileged to work with some of the finest innovators there are. But one thing stands out to me - and that is the need to combine great skills in the perfect mix. Add a strong dose of determination, and great things will emerge.
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posted by Paul Honeywell
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filed under Engagement
3rd Jun 2005 @ 5.10pm
I read this recently reported story in Metro - there must be so many stories like this out there. I certainly remember a similar one from BT not so long ago. It just goes to show how a little initiative and investigating why things are as they are can make a difference.
The story is about a 17 year old work experience girl, Ade Sodeinde, who moved to Britain from Nigeria last year. She spent weeks looking into Central Trains’ timetable data to understand why an average of 84 trains per month were late setting off from their depot – causing passenger delays and a fine of £4,500 each time a train missed its departure slot.
The teenager found that because drivers and conductors were not able to board trains on time as a result of safety checks and cleaning being carried out, they began to turn up late, throwing the whole system out of sync. Her findings resulted in the board’s decision to invest in more people, which has improved punctuality and saved the company at least £250,000 - with up to £750,000 savings potentially made by the end of the year.
posted by Alison Esse
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filed under Stories
3rd Jun 2005 @ 5.05pm
Martin and I have recently spent time on the Aurora at 2005’s HR Forum, where Martin’s entertaining presentation on employee engagement through storytelling went down a storm, judging by the feedback he received.
Read more…
posted by Alison Esse
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filed under Engagement
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