Reflection – Storytelling

Challenge

Storytelling is a tool that I learnt to use in my everyday work by experience. I work in a bank  as a customer service officer and investment consultant. I work with various kinds of people.  My customers come from different countries, different occupational areas, background,  education, and different needs to be fulfilled. It is essential to comply with the special  characteristics of every group and come up with the most suitable approach for each and  every one. The most difficult challenge that I faced during the first years of my career, was to  invent ways to be effective at my duties and goals and at the same time, to give my clients  what they really need. In order to achieve this, I ought to have a clear knowledge of who  they are and a better understanding of their needs and problems. And the best way to break  the ice and get to know them is by storytelling.

Selection

The first and most important rule of my storytelling to be successful is to obtain deep  knowledge of my audience. For this, before every appointment, I take some time to review  the data about the client, any special characteristic if noted and the review of previous  meetings. Depending on how the conversation goes, there is always the right time of a  storytelling. Sometimes it is about an experience that I had and sometimes about a case or a  problem another client had faced in the past.

I try to present a story that is relevant to the case that is being discussed. This works in two  ways. First, helps my client to realize that he is not the only one in this situation and allows  both of us to develop empathy about the situation that needs to be taken care of. Secondly,  the presentation of the solution that took place in my story raises his hope that there is a  solution for him, too. For every person in need, it is essential to know that someone has  deep understanding of their situation and also has the will and the mans to provide  solutions.

Storytelling also works in the case that the customer has not still reach the point of  realization of his true needs. Using a good story along with asking him questions about what  he thinks or what he would do if were in a similar situation, and then give him  a few  moments of reflection, could help him conclude to what is really important for him and  which his true goal is.

Application

A case of a storytelling that got very helpful and effective is from a few years ago, when an  old customer came to our appointment looking very anxious. As she explained, her son, 25  years old, wanted to start a business of extreme sports and parachute flying. Wanting to  help him, she was about to withdraw all of her savings, even though she was worried of her  son’s lack of experience in running a business.  We presented her a story of another  customer of our bank of similar age, who wanted to start his own business, converting a  house his family owned into a multi action playground for children.  As he had no working  experience in the field (he had studied music), he pursued to work for a year in a day care

center to learn as much possible. At the same time, he took seminars about children’s  psychology and business administration. He attended forums and exhibitions in the country  and abroad, getting innovative ideas and searching for the most suitable equipment. As a  young entrepreneur, he filed for subsidy and hired a business consultant to help him with his  business plan.  After more than a year of preparations, he finally started his business, which  flourished.

The story helped our client to calm down and realize that such a business venture needs  robust preparation. She guided her son not to rush and but to get all the proper help an  programming. As a result, he started his business the next year and up to now, two years  after, has been very successful and still growing.

Insight

Most of the times, a true story is the best way to pass through your message, in the most  vivid, colorful and effective way.  You know that you have been successful when people walk  out confident, with a certain vision of what to do next. All it takes is careful preparation, a  powerful story and a strong willing to understand eachother.


Reflection – Storytelling Challenge Storytelling is a tool that I learnt to use in my everyday work by experience . I work in a bank as a customer service officer and investment consultant . I work with various kinds of people . My customers come from different countries , different occupational areas , background , education , and different needs to be fulfilled . It is essential to comply with the special characteristics of every group and come up with the most suitable approach for each and every one . The most difficult challenge that I faced during the first years of my career , was to invent ways to be effective at my duties and goals and at the same time , to give my clients what they really need . In order to achieve this , I ought to have a clear knowledge of who they are and a better understanding of their needs and problems . And the best way to break the ice and get to know them is by storytelling . Selection The first and most important rule of my storytelling to be successful is to obtain deep knowledge of my audience . For this , before every appointment , I take some time to review the data about the client , any special characteristic if noted and the review of previous meetings . Depending on how the conversation goes , there is always the right time of a storytelling . Sometimes it is about an experience that I had and sometimes about a case or a problem another client had faced in the past . I try to present a story that is relevant to the case that is being discussed . This works in two ways . First , helps my client to realize that he is not the only one in this situation and allows both of us to develop empathy about the situation that needs to be taken care of . Secondly , the presentation of the solution that took place in my story raises his hope that there is a solution for him , too . For every person in need , it is essential to know that someone has deep understanding of their situation and also has the will and the mans to provide solutions . Storytelling also works in the case that the customer has not still reach the point of realization of his true needs . Using a good story along with asking him questions about what he thinks or what he would do if were in a similar situation , and then give him a few moments of reflection , could help him conclude to what is really important for him and which his true goal is . Application A case of a storytelling that got very helpful and effective is from a few years ago , when an old customer came to our appointment looking very anxious . As she explained , her son , 25 years old , wanted to start a business of extreme sports and parachute flying . Wanting to help him , she was about to withdraw all of her savings , even though she was worried of her son ’s lack of experience in running a business . We presented her a story of another customer of our bank of similar age , who wanted to start his own business , converting a house his family owned into a multi action playground for children . As he had no working experience in the field ( he had studied music ) , he pursued to work for a year in a day care center to learn as much possible . At the same time , he took seminars about children ’s psychology and business administration . He attended forums and exhibitions in the country and abroad , getting innovative ideas and searching for the most suitable equipment . As a young entrepreneur , he filed for subsidy and hired a business consultant to help him with his business plan . After more than a year of preparations , he finally started his business , which flourished . The story helped our client to calm down and realize that such a business venture needs robust preparation . She guided her son not to rush and but to get all the proper help an programming . As a result , he started his business the next year and up to now , two years after , has been very successful and still growing . Insight Most of the times , a true story is the best way to pass through your message , in the most vivid , colorful and effective way . You know that you have been successful when people walk out confident , with a certain vision of what to do next . All it takes is careful preparation , a powerful story and a strong willing to understand eachother .