A Different Kind of (Business) Storytelling

A Different Kind of (Business) Storytelling

Savannah Now (Savannah, GA), February 19, 2013

Summary:

Storytelling is a wonderful part of our city. From unique storytelling events, like this past weekend’s book festival that hosted renowned authors reading their own works, to the almost common sound of a period actor waxing to tourists in a downtown square, we’ve got great stories to tell and people to tell them.

But the business of storytelling here in Savannah is not just limited to authors and actors. Storytelling is an integral part of our business community. And not simply in the expected realms of advertising and marketing. Believe it or not, storytelling is also a major part of economic development. It’s the first step to evangelizing and growing a new business idea that will eventually generate jobs and economic growth.

Most people creating something new know they can protect their idea with the help of a patent attorney. Or they know they can set up a new business structure, like a corporation, with a good CPA. But few entrepreneurs understand the first step to creating a new business is learning how to tell a good story.

It’s not enough to work their way through a checklist of how to start a business. Growing any idea is about recruiting people — investors, connections and eventually customers — and momentum. If a great idea can’t be shared, it’s impossible to attract the human capital needed to make it a reality. The business of storytelling is the critical first step to gathering the right people around an idea that can help bring it to life.