by Doug Stevenson

Before I step in front of an audience, I have rituals and processes that I go through. I start with NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) exercises that are designed to integrate my right-creative brain with my left-linear brain. I then do some yoga exercises to warm up my muscles. I prepare mentally by reading my notes and the pre-program questionnaire that my client filled out for me. If I haven’t had a chance to run or work out, I often jog in my room or do something to elevate my heart rate. The last thing I do is my spiritual practice. I combine affirmations with prayers that remind me that I’m a conduit for a greater message that goes beyond words and content. I ask God to speak through me. All of this takes place before I go to the meeting room.

Once I’m in the meeting room, I like to (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson 2004

This is the “Method Acting” Issue

“We are actors. We're the opposite of people.” From Rosencranz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

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METHOD ACTING TECHNIQUE: Inner Monologue

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Many of the best actors working today studied a form of acting called Method Acting. Method Acting is a process whereby an actor builds a characterization from the inside out. The actor considers the character's motivation and strives to think and act like the character. Since the actor is NOT the character, the actor must use his or her own thoughts and emotions in place of the character's.

While I understand that you have no intention of becoming an actor, let's explore how Method Acting technique can inform and enliven your storytelling in business presentations.

One of the subtle Method Acting techniques that actors use, especially in movies where the slightest nuance of thought or feeling is magnified a hundredfold onto the big screen, (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson 2001

When it comes to memorization, there are two very different perspectives. One speaker argues that memorization will hinder their performance, making it stilted and hollow. Another counters that memorization has enhanced their performance, allowing greater depth and expressiveness. While their perspectives may differ, their objectives are the same. Both seek to exceed audience expectations with a dynamic performance and stimulating content.

Having been a professional actor for thirty years, I have spoken the words of Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and William Shakespeare. These playwrights labored over each word and phrase. They spent countless hours thinking about the plot and story line. They meticulously developed the relationships between the characters and chose different styles of language for different people. Memorizing their words, especially those of Shakespeare, was hard work. But in the moment of performance, when it all came together and the audience laughed and cried as if on (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson 2004

This is the “Make Waves” Issue

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.”
George Bernard Shaw

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Make Waves by Doug Stevenson

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True or False? Your presentation begins the moment you start talking.

And the answer is…false. Great presentations begin long before the speaker opens his or her mouth to speak.

I want you to visualize a huge wave off the coast of Hawaii. It's 30 feet tall, the height of a three-story building. Next, imagine that you are riding that wave on your trusty surfboard, your arms outstretched as you move flexibly to maintain the perfect balance. As the dynamic force of the wave propels you forward, you masterfully glide in and out of the wave's (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson 2004

This is the “Humor is Big – Drama is Small” Issue

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”
Victor Borge

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Strategic StorySelling for Sales Success

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At a recent conference on sales effectiveness, I gave two presentations on the use of stories as a sales tool. I tailored my Never Be Boring Again keynote to the sales process and followed it with a breakout session on Strategic StorySelling.

I received two main feedback comments: the first was that the vast majority of sales managers and salespeople are still stuck in data delivery mode, and the second was that a savvy minority are starting to realize the power of stories to build rapport, gather information, overcome objections and close sales.

It’s no secret that it’s becoming harder and harder to compete. The marketplace is jammed with ruthless competition and spammed with interference, making it difficult to get through to customers and prospects. Your prospects (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson 2000

Story Theater Tip of the Month: TWINKLE

The mood of the storyteller is essential to the effectiveness of the story. Prior to beginning a story, there is a moment when you can shift from whatever came prior to the story, to the story itself. I make a shift for my funny stories to a mood of mischievousness. I twinkle. You can sense it in my smiling expression, in my voice and in my body language. It’s almost as if I tickle myself. I revel in the joy of storytelling. Yes, I even do this for an all male corporate audience. Why? I’m about to invite them into a world of wonder, of fantasy, of story. Stories stimulate the imagination. What better way to introduce them to this world than with your energy, your smile and sense of fun? Do you twinkle when you perform your funny stories?

The shift (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson 2003

This is the GOALS AND DEADLINES issue

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“…the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.”
W.H. Murray

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GOALS AND DEADLINES

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Deborah and I had some friends over for dinner recently, and after dinner we all went for a walk. We walked a two-mile loop in Palmer Park, a huge nature preserve and city park that has playgrounds, baseball diamonds and biking and hiking trails. As we were walking on the mountain trails, the conversation turned to running. That's when Nettie said she was training for a local marathon, which takes place on Labor Day weekend.

Over the years I've coached at least ten or fifteen people who have run marathons. Many of them have incredible stories to tell. Sam Silverstein from St. Louis tells a hilarious story about the New York City marathon; and Stacy James (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson 2002

This is the GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION Issue

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“Why not go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is.”

Mark Twain

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STORY THEATER Tip of the Month – Networking = Marketing

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If you’re like me, sales and marketing are not your strong suit. You’d prefer to just do your programs and have tons of people hire you on the spot. In a perfect world, you’d have so much referral business that after three speeches, you’d be booked for years to come. Since that’s closer to a Harry Potter fantasy sequence than reality, I’d like to share with you a few of the lessons I’ve learned about how to get booked.

This discussion will be limited to finding new clients.

One solution is to network with people who can hire you. I’ve spent a good deal of time searching for the right place to do this, and the best place that I’ve found is (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson 2002

This is the FROM THE GROUND UP issue

“Tragedy brings forth the need to create meaning – to tell new stories that can reweave the frayed ends of live into a coherent whole.”
Joan Borysenko

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THE GENESIS OF A STORY

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I'm going to share with you my process for choosing and developing a story from the ground up.

I've taken up running as a way to work out and stay in shape. It's a painful exercise. I used to pump iron at the gym and work out on the Stairmaster. That was painful too. As a matter of fact, everything I've ever done to strengthen my body and stay in shape has been painful.

Back in the early 70's, I got into Hatha Yoga at the Integral Yoga Institute in Los Angeles. My guru at that time, Swami Satchidananda had a saying, “No pain – no gain.” He was right – even doing (Continue Reading…)

by Doug Stevenson

This is the FRAME IT WITH A STORY issue

“We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything.”
Thomas Alva Edison

“Reality is a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs.”
Lily Tomlin

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ENCOUNTER THE OBSTACLE

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I was in a coaching session with a CFO, the other day. He was preparing a presentation and wanted to make it more interesting. As we talked about the presentation, it became obvious that much of what he had to communicate was rather boring. It was financial stuff, rules and regulations. There was one new regulation in particular that was causing problems for people and he wanted to make sure they understood the gravity of the situation.

“Where you can help me is with the story, Doug,” he said. “I just don't think that way. I can just tell them about the new regulation,” he continued, “but I don't think they'll really get it that way.”

He made (Continue Reading…)