Stories are at the heart of most businesses.  How you got started, why you got started, how you are different.  On a personal level, stories are a time-honored way to pass along information or just to get know someone.  How you tell a story says a lot about you.  Do you pile on the details or cut right to the chase?  Do you know where and how to end your story?  Are you sure what story you are trying to tell?

Several years ago for a variety of reasons, I signed up for a storytelling class with Matthew Dicks, who among many things is an accomplished storyteller and also runs a local storytelling group called SpeakUp.    Matt was very helpful in explaining how to evaluate your possible story and, most importantly, what details you should include and which you should set aside.

These techniques can apply to business owners as well.  Learning what your story is and how best to tell it to your audience will help in networking settings, client meetings, or when you might be interviewed.  For an example of more personal storytelling, please click on one of the stories below.