The document provides guidance on how to move beyond bullet points in presentations by incorporating storytelling techniques. It discusses how people respond more to emotional stories and recommends crafting a story with a protagonist, desire, obstacles, and conflict. A seven-step process is outlined for taming a story that includes researching the topic, identifying the listener and benefit, finding story ideas, and creating a dramatic outline with complications and resolutions. Examples are given of incorporating story elements like characters, desires, and turning points into a presentation on overcoming a fear of public speaking.
19. I had strong images, but lack of
structure confused the audience
20. At first, I created a “logical” outline
Main Point: Agility + Communication + Creativity lead to success
1. Supporting detail: Agility
2. Supporting detail: Communication
3. Supporting detail: Creativity
Summary: Agility + Communication + Creativity lead to success
60. Agile Tales Walk-through (2/3)
Development
Enter special Complication Dilemma Refusal of the call
world
Turning point Action / New Action /
(will he succeed?) Resolution complication Resolution
71. Reverse Benefits
(what, how) (why, WIIFY) (lead-to why)
Features Benefits Reversed Benefits E.g.: Candidate Scenario 1
Steel Nib Does not leak Leaks A poet struggles to leave her
Body Provides physical pleasure Inflicts physical torture mark on this earth. She writes
Cap Thoughts flow on paper Thoughts don’t flow on paper terrible poetry, her thoughts
Blue ink Can write beautiful poetry Writes terrible poetry don’t flow on paper, all the
... … … pens she tries are physical
torture for her hand.
Until one day…
Find a compelling dramatic story in which your area/product/technology plays a key role and structure your presentation around that story
Corporate politics.Lack of shared values.Weak communication skills.These, and many others, are reasons why most IT projects fail.IT project success rate 1994: 15%IT project success rate 2004: 34%In 1994, 75% of projects failed to meet customer expectations, 30% never see the light of day. 50% are 200% over budget.Most projects are challenged on the basis of lack of “soft skills”, not hard skills.We tend to worry so much on our technical skills, that we tend to forget this “tiny aspect”. Our employers forget this too, so maybe this is a problem.