The Green Sheet Online Edition
December 12, 2023 • 23:12:02
BookNotes
You, too, can be a storyteller
As part of strategizing for success in 2024, how much thought have you given to the use of storytelling in your business? Contributors to our magazine offer ongoing, expert guidance on multiple aspects of relationship building, including the importance of research and preparation before meetings; the need to fully understand the benefits of your own and your competitors', products and services; and the imperative to listen well to what people say and then respond appropriately with communication that is friendly, informative and crystal clear.
It's been some time, though, since we've emphasized the stunning results a great story well-told at the right time can have in establishing and fostering rewarding long-term relationships.
Enter The Perfect Story: How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire by global leadership consultant and keynote speaker Karen Eber.
"A great story acts as a roadmap, guiding your audience through information to build an idea, feeling, or inspire action," Eber wrote in the book. "They act as an open door, inviting people to come through. ... A great story increases trust and empathy toward the storyteller, often influencing the thoughts, emotions, and actions of the audience."
It often seems some people are born storytellers and the rest of us are missing the storytelling gene. Not so, Eber insists. "It's a skill that can be learned, equipping you with a toolbox of stories to tell with ease."
In the book, Eber explains both the art and the science of storytelling to not only build a toolkit of endless story ideas, but also to define the audience for your story, leverage the Five Factory Settings of the Brain to hack the art of storytelling, engage senses and emotions through your stories, tell stories with data, avoid common storytelling mistakes, use your body to tell dynamic stories, ensure your story doesn't manipulate, and navigate and embrace the vulnerability of storytelling. Ready to embrace storytelling in the new year? Published by Harper Horizons, the book is available in hardcover, kindle and audiobook formats at bookstores worldwide. 
Whether you want to upgrade your POS offerings, find a payment gateway partner, bone up on fintech regs or PCI requirements, find an upcoming trade show, read about faster payments, or discover the latest innovations in merchant acquiring, The Green Sheet is the resource for you. Since 1983, we've helped empower and connect payments professionals, starting with the merchant level salespeople who bring tailored payment acceptance and digital commerce tools, along with a host of other business services to merchants across the globe. The Green Sheet Inc. is also a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals.
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