A Bigger Voice - The Conversation

Comment by business consultants on "The Many Faces of Entrepreneurs"

business consultants — 2012-02-15T22:59:06-07:00

These are useful and very informative facts about the different faces of entrepreneurs. I must agree with the last discussion. A person will never learn not until he fails. Failing does not mean you are less of a person, but it does only mean that you can be a better one. You may fall but don't be afraid to stand up. That's the true spirit of being an entrepreneur.

Comment by carolross on "Not More, But Deeper"

carolross — 2012-01-24T21:15:01-07:00

Thanks, Lesa, for stopping by. Absolutely agree that a small group of raving fans can make a big difference in your business (especially if some of them are "connectors" ala the Tipping Point.)

Thanks also for the great example with relationships in high school. Really brings the point home. And how wonderful that you have maintained relationships with friends for decades! I'm sure they value their friendship with you just as much as you value them.

Comment by Lesa on "Not More, But Deeper"

Lesa — 2012-01-24T16:33:09-07:00

What came to mind as I was reading this article was something that I knew in high school. All those years ago, I knew that focusing on building close relationships with only a handful of people was going to make me happier than knowing the whole school on a more superficial level (as a "popular" person) ever could. And you know what, those relationships that I started then are still important to me now, over 25 years later.

It's been said that 12 raving fans will do more for you business than just about anything else you can do to market it. In 2012, I think I'll make this the focus of my business, to go deeper, with my clients and potential clients, rather than striving simply for more.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Comment by sleep on "What Do You Believe About Failure? "

sleep — 2011-12-29T00:55:59-07:00

Failing does not mean the end. It is the beginning of success. Without failing, you will never know what works and what doesn't. Good luck with your business!

Comment by carolross on "Biggest Mistakes Made By Wisdom Entrepreneurs"

carolross — 2011-10-20T09:23:58-06:00

Thanks for your enthusiastic comment, Raf. I appreciate your passion for communicating in a new way, using story-telling.

What I'm curious about is this: What mistakes have you made on your journey that others could benefit from knowing about? It's great that you have a prescribed approach to success, but I think we learn even more from our failures.

Comment by Raf Stevens on "Biggest Mistakes Made By Wisdom Entrepreneurs"

Raf Stevens — 2011-10-18T15:41:17-06:00

Love this Carol! Story is right in the centre here!
Over the past years, communication has evolved from broadcasting your message to really connecting with your audience. I believe this evolution has an impact on the way we need to communicate. Unfortunately, most managers have failed to evolve along. Wouldn't you agree? Traditional communication no longer works. Organizations, brands and their leaders need to change the way they communicate today.
The gap between what they want to communicate and what people actually take in gets bigger every day.
It’s a whole new world out there. And to make it in this new world, you need a whole new story! Catch it. Create it. And connect it to this new hyper-connected world.
That is what I describe in my fist corporate storytelling book: No Story, No Fans.
Interested in the book? Here is the link:
http://amzn.to/qyWwDe

Comment by carolross on "What Do You Believe About Failure? "

carolross — 2011-07-05T19:57:12-06:00

Katherine--thanks for reading and your kind words. I'm glad it resonated with you.

Jonathan--love your attitude about failure and how each failure is a story. I agree that there is so much to learn from our failures--for us and for others. Thanks for your support.

Comment by Jonathan Vaudreuil on "What Do You Believe About Failure? "

Jonathan Vaudreuil — 2011-07-05T15:51:14-06:00

If there's one thing I understand, it's failure. My entire career is full of failures - both small stumbles and a few epic flops.

I've met many people who've endured a number of failures as well.

The one thing that seems to help me and others stay sane through failures is looking at each failure as a story. Which is interesting, since you're all about stories. Honestly, I love telling people about the few huge epic failures I've had in my life. They're such great stories. There is so much to learn in them. Some are funny and others are... well, things go horribly wrong and I come out alive.

At the end of the day I can live with how things turned out. I did what I wanted, gave it my all, and went on an adventure. A lot of people never have that kind of adventure, and that's one thing I will always have no matter what I do for the rest of my life.

Comment by Katherine on "What Do You Believe About Failure? "

Katherine — 2011-07-05T15:29:53-06:00

I just wanted to say thank you, Carol, for sharing the honesty and heart of this post... it resonated deeply with me. Take care of yourself as you continue the journey.

Comment by Phoenix Arizona Landscape Design on "Traverse City on Sept 18"

Phoenix Arizona Landscape Design — 2011-05-03T13:49:16-06:00

Didn't even realize they had a decent looking shoreline. I always imagined it as really dirty and ugly for some reason, but that picture looks amazing. Pretty nice view to wake up to, that's for sure!

Comment by carolross on "Making the Numbers Come Alive "

carolross — 2010-12-27T19:45:17-07:00

Well put, Laurel! Yes, data only goes so far, especially if you are trying to connect with other people. Embedded in information is meaning and that makes all the difference.

Comment by Laurel Haropulos Bailey on "Making the Numbers Come Alive "

Laurel Haropulos Bailey — 2010-12-27T19:03:56-07:00

Data versus Information. Love it.

Comment by carolross on "Engage Your Followers With Backstory"

carolross — 2010-11-30T09:32:19-07:00

Thanks, Raf, for your wonderful comments. Agree that the best stories already have the "why" built into it. And backstory brings to mind the use of story, when no one expects it but everyone loves that you took the extra step. I think it's the aspect of "extra" and "bonus" that makes it doubly appealing.

I've checked out your manifesto on peer-to-peer storytelling--marvelous! I really resonate with the idea that people want and need to belong to something larger than themselves and that story is a way to connect people together. Great stories are universal--I see some part of my own experience in someone else's story. Look forward to chatting more, live time.....

Comment by Raf Stevens on "Engage Your Followers With Backstory"

Raf Stevens — 2010-11-29T10:48:30-07:00

Hi Carol,
I like the idea of a backstory...
Although I am not sure that when you have a strong and clear story you still need a back story...
A good story shoudl have 'the big why' incorporated, no?

I believe storytelling is all about connecting your story with that of peers.
Why do many people use social media? Because so many other people do. People want to be with other people. It’s that simple. Because they want to be connected. To a group of like-minded people.
Why do people around the world clamour at the doors of bookstores each time a new Harry Potter comes out? Why did 200,000 people want to see the Champions League competition in Copen- hagen against Barcelona with Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, when there were only 35,000 seats in the stadium? Why do hoards of people gawp at Jessica Alba or George Clooney when they dare to show themselves in public?
Because we feel at our best when we are connected with other people. If we can show that we belong to the same group. Loads of manufacturers and advertisers play on that. What are Millet jackets. What are Paul & Shark sweaters, Jimmy Choo shoes or the sandals of the members of ‘Groen’, other than the outward symbols that allow the wearers to say: look at me, connect with me, I belong to your group. Compared with these outward symbols, stories have the advantage that you don’t have to keep quiet about them, they can be told.
More in my Manifesto 'The New Trade: about peer-to-peer storytelling.
Raf

Comment by carolross on "Engage Your Followers With Backstory"

carolross — 2010-11-28T21:43:21-07:00

Thanks, Bill, for sharing your observation of how students have rich stories to tell. That's the great thing about story--everyone has a story, even if you are at the beginning of a formal career.

And thanks for sharing the story of Whitacre's Sleep. After reading the backstory, it makes me appreciate the song even more. The idea of creativity borne of constraints is one that I find fascinating. I think the French have a word for that--bricolage. It's that thing of making a great meal from leftovers in your fridge. It forces something new that otherwise would not have occurred.

Comment by Bill Seliger on "Engage Your Followers With Backstory"

Bill Seliger — 2010-11-28T19:18:37-07:00

I recently spoke to students at Loyola University about preparing resumes, interviewing, getting ready for the job market, etc. It was amazing the breadth of experience many of them had and how important their stories would be as part of finding their first job. Sharing such experiences is definitely part of my story.

On to Eric Whitacre: (since seeing Eric at Alice Millar conducting his music a few years ago I've been a big fan and my band has performed band arrangements of several of his pieces over the past years). One of my favorite stories about the creative process and music is regarding Eric Whitacre's "Sleep". After setting Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snow Evening" he came to find out that the Frost estate was vigorously protecting their copyrighted work and refused to let him perform this piece. He covers the rest of the story here - http://ericwhitacre.com/music-catalog/satb-choral/sleep

A reminder that the creative process is not linear and we need to remain flexible when faced with challenges.

Comment by phoenix landscape design on "Where the Future Lies: Snapping Up Michelle Obama's Dress"

phoenix landscape design — 2010-11-27T21:19:27-07:00

7 hours sleeping? Thats not nearly enough! If I don't get my full 10 hours I'm a zombie!

Comment by carolross on "The Power of Telling Your Story"

carolross — 2010-11-04T16:38:13-06:00

Thanks for stopping by and your kind words, Tresha! Thrilled that this hit a chord. The stories we tell ourselves (and to others) makes all the difference, doesn't it? When people feel they have the power to change their story, to something better, it's a good thing.

It sounds like you are doing wonderful work!

Comment by Tre ~ (Tresha Thorsen) on "The Power of Telling Your Story"

Tre ~ (Tresha Thorsen) — 2010-11-04T11:00:47-06:00

Wow...this speaks to my heart especially right now....there's loads of stories we each have and I'm in the midst of steering the focus of my healing practice to helping women/girls own their voice and stop and squelch for once and all the inner sabotager...love that i found this...soo grateful for the work that you do :)

Comment by Rick Rezek on ""

Rick Rezek — 2010-10-25T19:59:11-06:00

I like this video. Not sure I ever recognized the importance of the first follower.

Comment by carolross on "The Power of Telling Your Story"

carolross — 2010-10-17T20:45:07-06:00

Hi Dave,

Love your point about conflict being the heart of story and that it introduces stakes and consequences. I find it so interesting that conflict creates rich interest in one's story, but it's often one of the hardest parts to bring out. It's grossly misunderstood. Most people tend to shy away from points of conflict when they tell their story.

Also appreciate your points about truth and meaning. I think that hits at the core of why I love story so much--because it's the perfect vessel for truth and meaning.

Comment by Dave Murphy on "The Power of Telling Your Story"

Dave Murphy — 2010-10-12T08:57:28-06:00

Very nice post, Carol.

In addition to having comfort with sharing your story, it's important to know how to tell your story.

Giving enough information but not too much is a point of balance, timing and taste. Conflict is at the heart of story. That doesn't necessarily mean something physical, but it does mean that there are stakes and consequences. A journey or an arch to both character and plot are natural parts of a well told story. Flawed heroes who grow are far more interesting people to whom we can relate than perfect people who knew where they were headed every step of the way.

Part of the meaning of truth with the capital "T" that McKee mentions in the quote you referenced is about theme. What's the deeper meaning to the actions that comprise someone's story? That's the truth we're interested in.

And the beauty of McKee's quote is that he also describes one of the problems with expressing truth. It's easier to point to it than it is to describe it, so story is the vehicle by which we share our truth without trying to nail it down with an imperfect or tidy definition.

I'm sure there are many good books on learning story telling techniques. McKee's has to be among the best, although it's something of a textbook in approach. And even though it's stated to be for screenwriters, the lessons are applicable across genres.

Comment by carolross on "Seth Forges the Way, Again"

carolross — 2010-09-13T20:02:41-06:00

Kudos to you, Sylvia, on getting your community started! I'm sure part of the growth and learning has been the tone you set and your own curiosity as a learner. I hope that you continue to see the dividends from building a community!

Comment by Sylvia Bernstein on "Seth Forges the Way, Again"

Sylvia Bernstein — 2010-09-13T07:37:07-06:00

Great post, Carol - couldn't agree more. I run a Ning community site of almost 400 aquaponic gardeners from around the world. I started the site last February with no experience and no technical ability, just the desire to connect with other people practicing this unusual gardening method (growing plants using fish). It is such a joy to watch as this community learns from each other through sharing their experiences. It feels like one of the highest forms of ourselves as humans when we share of ourselves unselfishly within a community of learners. And, you are so right, today's technology has made that almost easy. We are blessed.

Comment by carolross on "Update on Networking Naturally Program"

carolross — 2010-06-04T13:04:01-06:00

Hi Deb,

The Networking Naturally Program won't be offered again until 2011. However, you can buy the recorded webinars from the May 2010 session on our site, www.naturalway2network.com, for just $35. These recordings will be available through the end of the 2010.

I also license the recordings to organizations, which gives access to a group at a lower per seat price and for a one year period. Contact me for more details.

Hope that helps!

Carol