Wake Me Up When the Data is Over:
How Organizations Use Stories to Drive Results

Published by Jossey-Bass, October 2006
Sponsored by the National Storytelling Network
ISBN-10: 0787982709 ISBN-13: 978-0787982706

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This leading compendium on Strategic Storytelling is an edited 320-page volume that outlines how more than 70 organizations around the world are embracing storytelling as a management practice, and experiencing breakthrough results.

The book is a collaboration between 16 contributing authors, including Michael at THIRSTY-FISH.

Michael leads off Part II of the book with Chapter 8, “The Sky is Falling: When Difficult Times Call for a New Story.” His chapter provides examples of turn-around stories as applied to organizational mergers, restructurings, and challenging situations. The five organizations profiled in this chapter include - Saatchi & Saatchi, NASA, CityYear, One Village Foundation, and Gen-I (a subsidiary of New Zealand Telecom). Michael is also featured as a story practitioner in Chapter 15, “There Are Five Sides to Every Story: Which Are You Missing?”.

In this hands-on guide, learn how stories can be used to:

• Get employees to take action.
• Accelerate knowledge acquisition and organizational change.
• Solidify individual and team working relationships.
• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Increase the visibility of your organization.

TESTIMONIALS

“An easy to read, well organized compilation of stories that demonstrates their power across a broad spectrum of business needs.”
- Ellen Bovarnick, vice president, Business Process Excellence, The Coca-Cola Company

“Lori’s book illustrates how the use of stories will help your organization achieve positive outcomes. A must read for anyone in an organization facing significant change.”
- Vicki L. Chvala, executive vice president, American Family Insurance

“A customer service story, a story illustrating our history, or a story exhibiting commitment to shared goals can inspire more deeply than a directive from on high. Put flesh on the bone. Tell a story.”
- Arne M. Sorenson, chief financial officer, Marriott International

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword Karen Dietz, Ph.D, National Storytelling Network Introduction Sylvia L. Lovely

PART I How Organizations Are Using Stories in Day-to-Day Operations
Chapter 1 How Can I Help You? Service With a Smile—and a Story!
Chapter 2 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Unleashing the Power of People Through Stories
Chapter 3 We Need More We and Less Me: How Stories Build Teams and Teamwork
Chapter 4 You Get What You Give: Leadership in Action Through Stories
Chapter 5 Are We On Track? How Stories Impact Project Management
Chapter 6 Who Said Money Is Everything? Story Is the New Currency in Financial Management
Chapter 7 We’ve Never Done It This Way: Prompting Organizational Change Through Stories

PART II How Organizations are Using Stories Strategically
Chapter 8 The Sky Is Falling: When Difficult Times Call For a New Story
Chapter 9 Why Are We Here? Stories That Define Us
Chapter 10 I Can See Clearly Now: Bringing Strategy Alive Through Stories
Chapter 11 The Fog Is Lifting: Seeing Connections to Marketing and Research Thru Stories
Chapter 12 What’s in a Name? How Stories Power Enduring Brands

PART III Moving Stories into and Across the Organization
Chapter 13 It Pays to Be a Pioneer: Blazing a Trail for Stories
Chapter 14 What Do You Suggest We Do? Finding Answers and Ideas in Research
Chapter 15 There Are Five Sides to Every Story: Which Are You Missing?

Interested in the book? Order from Amazon.com and save 34% of the $29.95 list price