Reflection – Storytelling

Challenge

I currently work for a management consulting firm within financial services. Notoriously financial  services companies – my clients – lack in technology when compared to other industries. They tend to  move slow and miss opportunities to invest in cutting edge technology. My new role requires me to sell  services to my clients regarding these “emerging technologies” (for example artificial intelligence.) As  these concepts are new and unknown, I have a challenge to get my clients to understand the  importance of staying ahead of technology trends and investing in emerging technology.

Selection and Application

I found storytelling here to be a helpful tool. The reason why this helped was because I needed to  inspire and relate to the emotional side of the idea I was pitching. Coming in talking about technology  wasn’t appealing, but telling a story about a peer firm and talking about initiatives Silicon Valley was  doing was relatable and inspired creativity.

I was able to use an example from a past project to talk about the sequence of events from: issue,  solutions, execution, and results. This made it tangible to my audience. I was able to cut through their  perception of artificial intelligence – from something only useful at the likes of Google – to how it would  be applicable at their company and business units.

A few key items that made this successful for me was understanding my audience. I knew who was in  the room and what would resonate well. I was also dynamic with how I communicated my points. I used  an open room where I could engage with my audience. I brought them along on the journey. I allowed  them to ask questions and encouraged involvement.

Insight and Approach

Taking this approach, I was able to get my audience to understand how to adapt to emerging technology  and to brainstorm potential applications to implement. For example, we highlighted areas across the  operating model (sales, operations, trading, HR, etc.) where certain technologies could be helpful. We  also identified areas were further detailed conversation would be beneficial to have.

A learning launch could potentially be another tool used here but I feel storytelling was the right tool to  use in this situation. I used data and insights to frame my “story” but didn’t let it define the story.  Meaning the research wasn’t the story, the challenge, solutions, and results was the story. During a  learning launch, I could bring additional experts into the room and conduct breakout sessions for those  who wanted to go deeper; however, I wanted to inspire change, innovation, and creativity. Therefore, I  felt the best first step was storytelling as I could control the direction of the message.


Reflection – Storytelling Challenge I currently work for a management consulting firm within financial services . Notoriously financial services companies – my clients – lack in technology when compared to other industries . They tend to move slow and miss opportunities to invest in cutting edge technology . My new role requires me to sell services to my clients regarding these “ emerging technologies ” ( for example artificial intelligence . ) As these concepts are new and unknown , I have a challenge to get my clients to understand the importance of staying ahead of technology trends and investing in emerging technology . Selection and Application I found storytelling here to be a helpful tool . The reason why this helped was because I needed to inspire and relate to the emotional side of the idea I was pitching . Coming in talking about technology was n’t appealing , but telling a story about a peer firm and talking about initiatives Silicon Valley was doing was relatable and inspired creativity . I was able to use an example from a past project to talk about the sequence of events from : issue , solutions , execution , and results . This made it tangible to my audience . I was able to cut through their perception of artificial intelligence – from something only useful at the likes of Google – to how it would be applicable at their company and business units . A few key items that made this successful for me was understanding my audience . I knew who was in the room and what would resonate well . I was also dynamic with how I communicated my points . I used an open room where I could engage with my audience . I brought them along on the journey . I allowed them to ask questions and encouraged involvement . Insight and Approach Taking this approach , I was able to get my audience to understand how to adapt to emerging technology and to brainstorm potential applications to implement . For example , we highlighted areas across the operating model ( sales , operations , trading , HR , etc . ) where certain technologies could be helpful . We also identified areas were further detailed conversation would be beneficial to have . A learning launch could potentially be another tool used here but I feel storytelling was the right tool to use in this situation . I used data and insights to frame my “ story ” but did n’t let it define the story . Meaning the research was n’t the story , the challenge , solutions , and results was the story . During a learning launch , I could bring additional experts into the room and conduct breakout sessions for those who wanted to go deeper ; however , I wanted to inspire change , innovation , and creativity . Therefore , I felt the best first step was storytelling as I could control the direction of the message .