“Once Upon a Midnight Dreary…”

I can hear them in the kitchen – Mom talking, listening, and laughing with the ‘old folks’. One after another, every couple of days, she records someone else in the community.

I feel uncomfortable being in the room with them, thinking they might not be that honest in front of a kid. They trust Mom and are clearly relaxed.

Mom was an amateur historian, learning to interview elders, serving on historical commissions, and preserving history where she found it – which of course, was everywhere.

She believed that every person had an interesting story to tell – and it was her job to talk with them long enough to hear it. Once Mom was deep into a conversation, there were no time limits or distractions. The level of respect and interest was palpable.

Today’s Question:

How can you harness the power of storytelling to talk about the real value you provide?

But Here’s the Twist . . .

Mom was an eloquent speaker and very involved with civic causes, so I had a strong role model.

I’ve always loved public speaking and I know that makes me unusual since most people fear speaking more than death!

By the age of 15, I had memorized and performed in speech competitions Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven and Dorothy Parker’s The Waltz, winning several awards.

Even then, I understood the power of stories. I talk about this in my book:

“Communicating your value is the best way to position yourself. The best way to communicate that value is through stories.

True confession: I rarely read business books. I love to read, and I’m never without a book, but my love is for the story and the search for meaning. That is what fiction brings me – deeper meaning – especially when it’s an escape like historical or paranormal fiction. (Any Outlander fans?)

It also makes sense that I loved fables, myths, and legends as a child. They helped me to understand my place in the world and the core values my family taught me. When we understand our values, we can make every aspect of our lives more meaningful.

People love stories that are engaging and interesting. A well-crafted, well-delivered story draws people in, and you don’t have to talk about your value because the story does it for you.

Business storytelling doesn’t have to sound like case studies. You can use personal stories with a bridge to a business situation, like I did with The Broken Cookie Effect® story.“

-- Excerpt from Patty’s book, Your Hidden Advantage: Unlock the Power to Attract Right-fit Clients and Boost Your Revenue

Now What?

I encourage you to develop and use stories that help your prospective clients understand the value you bring. This also helps your clients understand better the services you provide, and a future business buyer grasp the intrinsic and extrinsic value of your company.

Intentionally building value and positioning your company for your exit is a solid business strategy. While you are planning your transition, you will make more money, lift the burden of the business from your shoulders, and find balance between work and leisure.

Exit readiness is a strategic and ongoing process that involves setting the stage for a smooth transition, maximizing business value, and ensuring your legacy endures.

Women who have successfully exited their business have shared with me that the most successful way forward was having a trusted, knowledgeable business advisor who could be objective and caring.

That’s the role I fill, helping the owner with the practical, emotional, confidential, and logistical puzzles that plague the exit process.

Even if your planned exit is 5-10 years down the line, the time to prepare is now.

An Elegant Exit™ requires a new way of thinking, new skills, a simple and elegant design, and an advocate on your side. Contact me to learn more. 

Discover your Exit Readiness Index™ with this assessment: http://she-exits.com/