Using Storytelling as a Communication tool and a

Problem-Solver

Introduction

I would like to talk about two problem statements that I have faced – the first one taught me the  importance of storytelling as an effective tool of communication and the second, of its  importance as a problem-solver. The assignment is structured in such a way that the first  paragraph in every section talks about the first problem and the second paragraph talks about the  second one.

Challenge

The first problem I faced was years ago as a student, when I got involved with building up an  NGO. As part of the organization, we provided free tuition to the under-privileged kids from  neighboring community. The problem was that due to the financially poor conditions in which  the kids were being raised at home, they seemed utterly dis-interested in getting education. They  used to say out statements like "What are we going to achieve by doing all this hard work. We  will always work as day laborers, etc." It was heartbreaking to say the least.

The second problem I faced was years later as part of the corporate world. My team and I, we  were trying to improve the performance of a digital product (an app) that helped first-time  homebuyers make a purchase by perusing through all the relevant information regarding the  houses online. Our objective was to improve the performance of an already live app, which gave  information about the houses.

Selection

For the first problem, because I personally found stories interesting and the need was for us to  engage the students, so we used storytelling. Storytelling is about communicating with your  audience via a story – creating characters, giving them some actions to do, which will ultimately  help them achieve a goal. All of this can be weaved into a story. This helps engage the audience,  as stories are interesting to listen to and thus the subsequent learning from it is immense.

For the second problem, we knew that our app helped users select a home to buy, only doing it  all online. So, to get into the mind of our users, we wanted to create a story around a typical  homebuyer. This would have ensured we did not miss any customer problems and that the  solution we came up with was exhaustive. Nobody wants to revamp an app every quarter, so it is  important to solve the problem exhaustively.

Application

To solve the first problem, I started teaching the kids different subjects using stories I used to  weave on the spot. I would often cast the kids themselves as characters in it. An example would  be, to teach mathematics I would start "So if Seema here and Rohan went to the market today to

buy apples. The shopkeeper at the market gives the rate as Rs.10 per apple and we are all 30 of  us here. How much money would they need? Kids, let's count…"

To solve the second problem, we used storytelling not only as a tool to communicate with the  audience but also as a tool to solve problems. Alternatively, you can think of it as the buyers  telling us (the audience) their stories. We talked to many buyers and journeyed through their  home buying experience. We noted down to all the problems and asks that came up. When we  were trying to figuring out where the improvements in the app will come from, we mapped out  the entire home buying journey of a buyer and then we could pinpoint the corresponding  improvement areas in our app easily. For example, if the very first thing a buyer was interested  in while buying a house was to look at the property photos, we made sure that good quality  photos of the house were visible up front clearly.

Insight

While solving the first problem of engaging kids in education, I found that the storytelling  method was highly effective. The kids would all laugh at the, sometimes, ridiculous stories I  used to weave. Ultimately, through all that laughter, they would learn how to multiply, add,  subtract, or even compose a story themselves in English.

While solving the second problem, I realized how going through the customer journey as a story  – a buyer researches a house, looks at photos, floor plans, locality, prices and then finalizes –  meant that we did not miss anything. This meant the solution we gave was exhaustive and solved  some actual user problems. Thus the solution was meaningful.

Alternative approach

To solve the first problem and engage the kids more, I realize that using visualization in addition  to storytelling would have been just perfect. I could have even brought the kids apples and  helped engage them further.

To solve the second problem, we did use the Learning Launch tool and released our solution to a  smaller audience first. Made certain adjustments in the solution as per the feedback received and  relaunched it again. I think Mind Mapping could have been a good tool to lay out all the user  requirements clearly. Although I would like to think the solution we provided was good, but  nothing is perfect.


Using Storytelling as a Communication tool and a Problem - Solver Introduction I would like to talk about two problem statements that I have faced – the first one taught me the importance of storytelling as an effective tool of communication and the second , of its importance as a problem - solver . The assignment is structured in such a way that the first paragraph in every section talks about the first problem and the second paragraph talks about the second one . Challenge The first problem I faced was years ago as a student , when I got involved with building up an NGO . As part of the organization , we provided free tuition to the under - privileged kids from neighboring community . The problem was that due to the financially poor conditions in which the kids were being raised at home , they seemed utterly dis - interested in getting education . They used to say out statements like " What are we going to achieve by doing all this hard work . We will always work as day laborers , etc . " It was heartbreaking to say the least . The second problem I faced was years later as part of the corporate world . My team and I , we were trying to improve the performance of a digital product ( an app ) that helped first - time homebuyers make a purchase by perusing through all the relevant information regarding the houses online . Our objective was to improve the performance of an already live app , which gave information about the houses . Selection For the first problem , because I personally found stories interesting and the need was for us to engage the students , so we used storytelling . Storytelling is about communicating with your audience via a story – creating characters , giving them some actions to do , which will ultimately help them achieve a goal . All of this can be weaved into a story . This helps engage the audience , as stories are interesting to listen to and thus the subsequent learning from it is immense . For the second problem , we knew that our app helped users select a home to buy , only doing it all online . So , to get into the mind of our users , we wanted to create a story around a typical homebuyer . This would have ensured we did not miss any customer problems and that the solution we came up with was exhaustive . Nobody wants to revamp an app every quarter , so it is important to solve the problem exhaustively . Application To solve the first problem , I started teaching the kids different subjects using stories I used to weave on the spot . I would often cast the kids themselves as characters in it . An example would be , to teach mathematics I would start " So if Seema here and Rohan went to the market today to buy apples . The shopkeeper at the market gives the rate as Rs.10 per apple and we are all 30 of us here . How much money would they need ? Kids , let 's count … " To solve the second problem , we used storytelling not only as a tool to communicate with the audience but also as a tool to solve problems . Alternatively , you can think of it as the buyers telling us ( the audience ) their stories . We talked to many buyers and journeyed through their home buying experience . We noted down to all the problems and asks that came up . When we were trying to figuring out where the improvements in the app will come from , we mapped out the entire home buying journey of a buyer and then we could pinpoint the corresponding improvement areas in our app easily . For example , if the very first thing a buyer was interested in while buying a house was to look at the property photos , we made sure that good quality photos of the house were visible up front clearly . Insight While solving the first problem of engaging kids in education , I found that the storytelling method was highly effective . The kids would all laugh at the , sometimes , ridiculous stories I used to weave . Ultimately , through all that laughter , they would learn how to multiply , add , subtract , or even compose a story themselves in English . While solving the second problem , I realized how going through the customer journey as a story – a buyer researches a house , looks at photos , floor plans , locality , prices and then finalizes – meant that we did not miss anything . This meant the solution we gave was exhaustive and solved some actual user problems . Thus the solution was meaningful . Alternative approach To solve the first problem and engage the kids more , I realize that using visualization in addition to storytelling would have been just perfect . I could have even brought the kids apples and helped engage them further . To solve the second problem , we did use the Learning Launch tool and released our solution to a smaller audience first . Made certain adjustments in the solution as per the feedback received and relaunched it again . I think Mind Mapping could have been a good tool to lay out all the user requirements clearly . Although I would like to think the solution we provided was good , but nothing is perfect .