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.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
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
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, 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
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Should be "here are some organizations who have used stories to drive results"
February 6, 2007
By Kien Leong
Format:Hardcover
This book fails to provide real content that is true to the title. It is true that are many examples of companies who have gained impressive benefits from using stories, but they are brief references and provide no actual method or useful insight. It seems that the book is written purely for the purpose of convincing the reader that stories have a benefit in business.
Like many other readers, I find this approach mildly insulting; I do not need a whole book to convince me of the value of stories. I would not have dedicated hours of my day to the task of reading it if I was uncertain of the concept. I was looking for practical advice and helpful suggestions on practice and implementation.
All through this book, I couldn't shake the feeling that the author was using it as reference collateral for her consulting business. There is a ream of annoying business books that have a similar message- "hey look, here are lots of companies that are doing something and getting great results! You should really be doing it too!". They all fall short of the task of actually helping with the enterprise and provide little guidance for making similar achievements.
I still have faith in the power of stories despite this book, because I read "Stories Trainers Tell". This has everything that "Wake me up..." does not. It is excellent, yet also co-written by Lori Silverman, which suggests that her own content has far more value than the pieces she selected as an editor. I am glad that I didn't get disillusioned with the concept and had the perseverance to read this far more worthy second title. I would advise other readers to skip the first step and buy "Stories Trainers Tell" from the beginning instead.
Like many other readers, I find this approach mildly insulting; I do not need a whole book to convince me of the value of stories. I would not have dedicated hours of my day to the task of reading it if I was uncertain of the concept. I was looking for practical advice and helpful suggestions on practice and implementation.
All through this book, I couldn't shake the feeling that the author was using it as reference collateral for her consulting business. There is a ream of annoying business books that have a similar message- "hey look, here are lots of companies that are doing something and getting great results! You should really be doing it too!". They all fall short of the task of actually helping with the enterprise and provide little guidance for making similar achievements.
I still have faith in the power of stories despite this book, because I read "Stories Trainers Tell". This has everything that "Wake me up..." does not. It is excellent, yet also co-written by Lori Silverman, which suggests that her own content has far more value than the pieces she selected as an editor. I am glad that I didn't get disillusioned with the concept and had the perseverance to read this far more worthy second title. I would advise other readers to skip the first step and buy "Stories Trainers Tell" from the beginning instead.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Nancy Chou
Format:Hardcover
Based on an emailed recommendation, I ordered this book. The book failed to take me to the next level in terms of learning how to tell stories better/more effectively. I expected either a "how to" tutorial or a book full of examples that I could easily extrapolate and apply to my own situation. Instead, the author spent the entire book evangelizing the benefits of good storytelling thus failing to acknowledge that I was long CONVINCED that storytelling is an effective managment/communication tool and that good storytelling skills are essential to develop. By not taking me to the next level, this book felt like "empty calories".
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By rhab
Format:Hardcover
Wake me up when you find some substance to this book! The entire book seems to be a "who's who" of people who use storys, complete with their job titles, degree listings etc. I found virtually no help in how to create or use stories. I found this book boring and a complete waste of my time!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Silverman Fills in What's Missing in Other Books in this Genre
A number of very good books are available on organizational storytelling, but Lori Silverman hits the nail on the head when she writes in the preface of Wake Me When the Data's... Read more
Published on September 6, 2008 by Katharine Hansen
5.0 out of 5 stars
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. Read more
Published on August 30, 2007 by Bill Lampton, Ph.D.
5.0 out of 5 stars
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. Read more
Published on March 30, 2007 by R. Weaver
5.0 out of 5 stars
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... Read more
Published on March 28, 2007 by Gabrielle Dolan
5.0 out of 5 stars
treasures
Very stimulating, indeed! Provides a panorama of practical applications of story telling in the private or public sector, derived from interviews with people who use the approach... Read more
Published on February 15, 2007 by Pierre A. Walther
5.0 out of 5 stars
A powerful perspective for business managers
This book fulfills its main purpose - "to increase the visibility and influence of story work in organizations, particularly in practical applications to a variety of business... Read more
Published on February 14, 2007 by Ronald Charnock
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Step Forward
In 2003, when I sat with Lori Silverman over lunch, I expressed my frustration over the lack of documented results companies have experienced by bringing stories as a core... Read more
Published on February 9, 2007 by Karen Dietz
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Power of Stories
We are all familiar with using stories to pass along tribal lore - when a vice-president tells how the organization's founders saved the infant company through some daring and... Read more
Published on January 19, 2007 by C. W. Richards
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great and important work
This is a story that needs to be told - how leaders and others can use stories to do better work. We all love stories, but the notion of using them in this way is really cutting... Read more
Published on December 12, 2006 by Paul J. Lamb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting Beyond Storytelling to the Power of Story
There are many books out there that talk about how to tell stories; that isn't the focus of this new work. Read more
Published on November 10, 2006 by Terry L. Paulson
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
|
|
