Product Description

This book includes real-life examples from over 70 respected organizations, small and large, representing a multitude of industries using stories to drive results. Leaders from organizations such as Microsoft, Lands’ End, Verizon, U.S. Air Force, and World Vision demonstrate the strong positive influence stories can have. No abstract theories or platitudes are conveyed here. The book spells out how Kevin Roberts, CEO worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi, achieved sustained sales growth after several mergers and downsizings caused the organization to fall on hard times. It also shows how Erik Shaw, president and CEO of FivePoint Federal Credit Union, overcame resistance to an organizational name change, resulting in membership growth exceeding the national average.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #336695 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-13
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
"An easy-to-read, well-organized compilation of stories that demonstrate their power across a broad spectrum of business needs."
Ellen Bovarnick, vice president, Business Process Excellence, The Coca-Cola Company

"Offers fresh ideas for introducing stories into organizations and inspiring better leadership through them. A well-researched and lively reference for leaders."
John Alexander, president, Center for Creative Leadership

"Takes the concept of organizational stories from a pleasant idea to a practical means to advance strategy, product development, and ultimately shareholder value."
Anita Brick, director, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business

"Loved the book. My hope is that it will create a new generation of leaders who will stop numbing people with spreadsheets and pie charts, and start inspiring them with stories that illuminate mission, values, and goals."
Frank D. Byrne, M.D., president, St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center, a part of the SSM HealthCare system

"Leaders in all walks will benefit from Silverman's real-world accounts of storytelling successes in high-performing organizations."
Daniel M. Sprague, CEO, The Council of State Governments

"A customer service story, a story illustrating our history, or a story exhibiting commitment to shared goals can inspire more deeply than a directive from on high. Put flesh on the bone. Tell a story."
Arne M. Sorenson, CFO, Marriott International

"When just about every fact is but one mouse click away, stories take on new importance. From leadership to branding, narrative has become an essential tool. These essays offer savvy advice on how to unleash the power of stories in your organization."
Daniel H. Pink, author, A Whole New Mind

"Illustrates how the use of stories will help your organization achieve positive outcomes. A must-read for anyone in an organization fac --Vicki L. Chvala, executive vice president, American Family Insurance

Review
This book includes real-life examples from over 70 respected organizations, small and large, representing a multitude of industries using stories to drive results. Leaders from organizations such as Microsoft, Landsâ End, Verizon, U.S. Air Force, and World Vision demonstrate the strong positive influence stories can have. No abstract theories or platitudes are conveyed here. The book spells out how Kevin Roberts, CEO worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi, achieved sustained sales growth after several mergers and downsizings caused the organization to fall on hard times. It also shows how Erik Shaw, president and CEO of FivePoint Federal Credit Union, overcame resistance to an organizational name change, resulting in membership growth exceeding the national average.

From the Inside Flap
Do you wish you could more fully engage your employees? Or reduce turnover by 25% or more? Do you need to quickly align staff around the organization's long-term strategy? Or achieve double-digit growth? Then this groundbreaking book is for you.

Wake Me Up When the Data Is Over includes real-life examples from over 70 respected organizations, small and large, representing a multitude of industries, using stories to drive results. Leaders from organizations such as Microsoft, Lands' End, Verizon, the U.S. Air Force, and World Vision demonstrate the strong positive influence stories can have.

No abstract theories or platitudes are conveyed here. The book spells out how Kevin Roberts, CEO worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi, achieved sustained sales growth after several mergers and downsizings caused the organization to fall on hard times. It also shows how Erik Shaw, president and CEO of FivePoint Federal Credit Union, overcame resistance to an organizational name change, resulting in membership growth exceeding the national average.

In this hands-on guide, learn how stories can be used to:

• Get employees to take action
• Accelerate knowledge acquisition and organizational change
• Solidify individual and team working relationships
• Provide exceptional customer service
• Increase the visibility of your organization

Drawing on interviews with 171 public and private sector leaders, this book goes beyond storytelling to reveal five keys to making stories work for you: how to find existing stories, dig into them to uncover hidden patterns and themes, select those stories that need to be reinforced, craft memorable stories, and embody stories to positively impact people's attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors. It also includes proven tools and techniques that will help you sharpen these skills.

Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Time
"Once Upon a Time"--when we hear that phrase, it brings back magical memories of someone reading a story to us during childhood. Suddenly, we have warm thoughts of fantasies, fairy tales, princesses, and pirates.

As a professional speaker, I have recognized for a decade that people never outgrow their love of stories. I share stories with my audiences to maintain interest, motivate listeners, change opinions, and relay information.

Prior to my speaking career, I spent twenty-three years in management. For the most part, I shudder when I recall boring meetings, with presenters suffocating participants with an endless avalanche of facts and stats--with nothing in between to inject variety and liveliness.

That's why I welcome this book. Silverman illustrates that stories fit every type of business situation. "Facts," Sylvia L. Lovely says in the Introduction, "inform, but stories resonate." She explains: "Stories connect us in profound ways that go beyond mere intellect and get to the
deeper currents that move us to reflection and inspiration."

This book offers numerous examples from corporate leaders who use stories for training, sales, fostering traditions, reinforcing policies, generating teamwork, mentoring, facing change, clarifying complex financial transactions, and instilling an organization's mission and values.

Even as she supplies many model stories, Silverman still encourages readers to constantly unearth stories from their own locales. They're there, just waiting to be discovered and told.

Wake Me When the Data is Over recognizes that stories cannot replace data--but they can make the necessary data interesting, even compelling.

The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication-Change Your Life!

Wake me up when the data is over
I found this book to be full of practical guidance about how to use storytelling more effectively in business settings. The book reinforced many of beliefs about the use of story as well as providing a great deal of evidence about its effectiveness. I recommend this book to those who wish to be more effective communicators in business.

storytelling and the wider applications
I found this book to be extremely useful in exploring the various applications of storytelling. As a practitioner in the field of organisational storytelling, I am always exploring various applications of the use of story. Lori's research into how organisations have used it has really helped me in my thinking around the applications of this powerful business tool and helped me bring this learning to our Australian clients.