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How to Find the Best Story for Your Story
Business storytelling means finding the right story and recognizing that it’s what you need for your business growth.
I forget who recommended the book, The Third Door by Alex Banayan. It’s an entertaining story of Alex’s search for advice from the most successful people.
What got my attention was a story about a story.
In one chapter, Alex writes about meeting with venture capitalist Elliott Bisnow. At the time, Alex was a 19-year-old student at USC, although he spent more time studying the Wall Street Journal than studying for exams.
Elliott asked penetrating questions, including, “How did you get funding for this journey to meet with top business people?”
Alex explained. He’d figured out how to hack the TV show The Price Is Right. He won a sailboat, which he sold. That money financed his trip.
Elliott was stunned.
“That’s your story,” he exclaimed.
“That’s what you should be talking about,” he said. “Don’t talk about your mission. Tell that story.”
He brought Alex to a group of high-powered business people and made him tell the story…and sure enough, that got attention.