Storytelling breakfast session

It was a cold and early Thursday morning. All was set: tables were layed, coffee was running, even the technique was on our side. What are the chances that, first, a bird feels the need to shit on my new jeans while cycling to the office and second, that our street has been barricaded just one hour before our guests would start arriving... Is Murphy always so sharp this early? Fortunately our guests were even sharper, so most of them made it in time for our breakfast session about Storytelling.

Because storytelling is hot! It’s buzzing around everywhere. But is it here to stay? Or is it just a hype? Some people said social media was a hype, and perhaps some think it still is. We believe social media are actually one of the main reasons the urgency of storytelling is growing.

Together wih our partner Maatschap voor Communicatie we welcomed some interesting conversation partners at our breakfast table. From ProRail to Liberty Global, from Rabobank and ABN AMRO, to Marqt and the City of Amsterdam.

Jeroen Disch

Marieke Smids-de Jong

After a warm introduction from Edo van Dijk, Jeroen Disch kicked off and inspired us with the latest insights on visual and brand storytelling. It became clear how design plays a role in telling a story powerfully and coherently. In a way that it sticks to you and you're willing and (not unimportant) able to share it.

I believe it’s been rarely so quiet in our office as from the moment Marieke Smids-de Jong shut down the laptop and beamer and went on stage for some actual, live storytelling. I dare to say most of the audience will remember this story and, will be able to repeat it. She explained how this ’organisational storytelling’ can help your organisation to actually make things happen.

Enough said to start a discussion about value, viability, authenticity and practical implementation. About corporate stories, which are good to have, but what is going to happen with them? How many times does this piece of paper come out of its drawer called ’Corporate Communcations’?

A great example: The department Corporate Communications of a fast growing company thought: this storytelling-thing is a hype. It will vanish. But hey, we need a corporate movie anyway. And as we're having it, why not show it to new employees to get them to know the company? Saves time, and so money. 

What they didn't expect, was the impact it made. This movie inspired employees once more why they applied to this job in the first place. That’s right: Why. Because it's no longer about what you do, but why you do it, now is it?

I believe we could have talked on and on about it. And although some did, by the end of the session most of the mailboxes and phones started drawing attention again. Back to work!

Fotos: Edenspiekermann