In a world where there is a glut of information and technology constantly demanding our attention, powerful communication techniques are more critical than ever. We have to reach people, move them, help influence how they feel about something, or simply connect with them on an emotional level that will make our communication more memorable. Welcome to the world of Storytelling! It is a proven way to connect.

Stories have the power of impact. No pun intended, but a massive head over heels impact in my story is what put me in the emergency room with two broken wrists. But that’s the end of the story. 

It began with the thrill of finally competing in an IRONMAN, a long-time goal of mine. An IRONMAN is the elite of Triathlon events that starts with a 2.4 mile open water swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride and then a 26.2 mile marathon. Sound exhausting? It is! And it all has to be completed by midnight after a 7am start time. I trained for 8 months in what was a grueling weekly training regime that gradually increased to 18 hours a week.

My swim went really well and despite being pummeled in the water by other swimmers and losing my goggles twice, I logged my fastest open water swim. Climbing out of the water, I quickly raced to the transition tent, stripped off my wetsuit, put my bike gear on, took a few bites of my Nutella croissant sandwich, and jostled around other athletes as I jumped on my bike for the 112 mile course. 

Of the 3 events, the swim, bike and run, I consider the swim my weakest link and the bike portion my strongest. I felt good when I saddled the seat and raced off. I was moving at a really good speed and passing riders on my left and right. But it didn’t last long. Around mile 6 or 7 I glanced left at the riders for a split second to gain position. That’s all it took—a spilt second. Looking forward I slammed head-on into a large plastic barrel drum acting as a road barrier. There was no time to react, no time to turn, to slow down, or to brace myself. I only remember flying through the air thinking, “this can’t be happening….NO..!!”

I flipped through the air and crashed head and wrists first into the asphalt, tumbling down the street as elbows, knees, legs and arms dragged along the road causing serious road rash. My bike cartwheeled through the air as bikers raced by, one of them bouncing over my leg leaving an 8 inch tire mark down my calf. When everything came to a stop I sat for only a few seconds, both my wrists throbbing and bloody, my body covered with scrapes and bruises, my ray ban glasses cracked and one lens missing, water bottles and nourishment bars scattered everywhere, and the front of my helmet damaged. “It cannot end this way!” I told myself. I then felt myself asking. “How is my bike?”

I got myself together, checked out my bike, put the chain back on, picked the bike up with my elbow (my wrists were too weak), and spun the front and back wheels. Wow…miraculously, they were not damaged! They hummed like a finely tuned tri-bike just out of the shop. I was amazed! Not a single spoke out of alignment. “God is watching out over me”, I thought. He wants me to finish. 

With a working bike, 8 months of training and a lot of grit and determination to not quit, I got back on my bike, rested my wrists on the handle bars and moved forward. It started slow and painful but I gradually picked up speed screaming out in pain at every bump in the road. It was a grueling test of endurance and I have no doubt there was Heavenly help. I finished the remaining 106 miles with a respectable time.

I rode into the transition area, bloody and limping as I got off my bike. Thousands of spectators, including friends and family looked at my injuries and could only imagine what happened. I wasn’t alone in my scrapes and bruises. There were other riders who had their own stories of unexpected challenges, overcoming incredible obstacles whether physical or mental, but each dusted themselves off and remarkably pushed forward without missing a beat—straight on to the 26.2 mile run. 

There were several more hours of throbbing arms but the thought of quitting never crossed my mind. 26 miles later I could see at a distance the final stretch…the last 50 yards: The red carpet, the banners, the cheering fans and family, and the announcer with his iconic call of victory.

15 hours and 16 minutes after I jumped in the water, I wobbled my way across the finish line. “Art Rascon…You…Are…An IRONMAN!,” the announcer cried out. It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life.

I couldn’t believe I made it! The emotion of it all was overwhelming. My eyes filled with tears and then to my surprise I saw my82 year old mother in front of me working as a volunteer at the finish line. She placed the medal around my neck and we embraced. It was an unforgettable moment. The entire day really was an unforgettable experience.

Life is filled with unexpected challenges and unforgettable experiences. It’s what we do at these moments that truly shape our lives and help influence for good the lives of others.

If I have discovered anything as a life-long journalist, it’s that each of us has an incredible story to tell. We have dozens, even hundreds of real-life stories—experiences that we need to share. We at Spoken Word Communications want to help you tell yours. We want to help you integrate these stories into your presentations, your seminars, your trainings and your life. You’ll be amazed at how a simple story with a profound analogy can help make you a powerful communicator.

Contact us to learn more about our storytelling training.

 Art Rascon 

The post The Power of Storytelling: An Ironman Experience first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

I am excited to kick off 2023 with our readers and celebrate nine years since we launched Spoken Word Communications. It seems like only yesterday when we started helping our clients in the US with their Media, Crisis Spokesperson and Presentations training needs.  Since then, we have expanded our operations across many parts of the world, and have a presence in Houston, Singapore and London.

It’s been a long journey and we are excited about our direction.  Judging on how busy we were last year, it appears that Covid is in the rearview mirror, at least as far as in-person trainings are concerned.  We continue to see growth in all of our offices globally and look forward to even bigger things in 2023.

We’ve recently introduced a new training course titled Stakeholder Engagement, which is tailored to the needs of our clients who communicate directly with audiences such as customers, investors and employees. This course is now in high demand and is often paired with our popular Presentations training. 

As the winter season rears its ugly head around the globe and the on-going global energy crisis impacts daily lives, our London-based consultant Clive Hawkins continues to share timely information on how to manage communications through these challenging times. I hope you enjoy his insight in this edition.

Thank you for being a client of Spoken Word Communications. I can’t tell you how much we value the trust you’ve placed in us for your communications training needs. We look forward to working face-to-face with you in 2023 and assure a favorable outcome in any type of interaction involving the spoken word!  

Dave

The post Kicking off 2023 with an Update from Dave first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

In recent years, TED Talks have become a popular way to deliver an idea or view in a short, enticing and thought-provoking manner.

TED is not a person but a way of presenting. The title gives a clue to its content (Technology, Entertainment, Design)– with an emphasis on entertainment – where a presenter will talk for a short period of time about a subject they are passionate about.

TED Talks Daily are concise, stimulating presentations on varying business and social topics and available every weekday on Apple Podcasts, the TED Android app and Spotify. This is a great way to learn about a new subject, change perceptions or simply chill out for a few minutes!

–Clive Hawkins, Senior Associate, Spoken Word Communications

The post What We’re Listening To & Reading first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

There are times when we need to take a step back and consider how best to deal with business or personal challenges. In this series of 20-minute Mindset Mentor™ podcasts, Rob Dial looks at different topics such as: ‘how to change the people around you’, ‘a proven strategy to hit any goal’ and ‘how to master your emotions’ and help people understand how to become more motivated, obtain greater direction and focus in life.

The podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They are a ‘must-listen’ for anyone seeking inspiration on how to re-assess their perceptions, make adjustments and drive change!

– Clive Hawkins, Senior Counselor

Speak Up! Reclaiming the Lost Art of Speaking the Truth in Love
by Brian M. Mayfield

During any given moment or season in life, there is often a conversation we are putting off or avoiding. Not sure what to say. Afraid we might hurt or offend. It could get awkward and uncomfortable. We’ve all been there!

That’s why we all need to be encouraged to Speak Up! Whether it’s with a coworker, family member, friend–it’s time to stop avoiding the conversation.

Read this book to find the encouragement you need to finally Speak Up! One conversation can change everything.

– Dave Scallan, Founder

The post What We’re Listening To & Reading first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

Networking can be a ‘love or loathe it’ event. The difference between spending an enjoyable period of time making new acquaintances and developing business leads, or becoming boring, uneventful and a waste of time!

So how do you create the former and avoid the latter? Help is on hand with Ivan Minser’s book, Networking Like a Pro. It’s full of great tips on how to prepare beforehand, points out the dos and don’ts of networking, and how to make that all-important room introduction. It goes beyond simply collecting business cards and helps you become a more confident and focused networker – a lesson for us all!

– Clive Hawkins, Senior Counselor

Fan in Chief: Richard Nixon and American Sports, 1969–1974
by Nicholas Sarantakes

“A true fan, Nixon exposed core elements of his personality, character, and values in the world of sports; through sport he could connect and communicate with the character and values of his fellow Americans.” -University Press of Kansas

– Dave Scallan, Founder

The post What We’re Reading first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

Highly recommended by the entire Spoken Word Communications team, Ken Haseley’s new book is a must have for anyone who wants to strengthen their communication skills. Ken states, “Individuals who communicate effectively get others to listen, understand, and act on what was said…Communicating effectively involves eliminating comfortable, but outdated and self-defeating communication.”

– Dave Scallan, Founder

Made to Stick
by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

What is it that makes some ideas more memorable than others? This book seeks to answer this question by providing examples of approaches taken by organizations and individuals to make their ideas simple, credible and ‘stick’ with their intended audience. This is a must-read for all communicators and marketers wanting to apply these principals and avoid the ‘curse of knowledge’ that many fall into the trap of using!

– Clive Hawkins, Senior Counselor

How to Style Your Brand
by Fiona Humberstone

This book provides great insights for anyone involved in the design of company brands. There are many useful tips on how to create a distinctive brand identity and stand out from the crowd to win business. It is also nicely illustrated, allowing you to dip easily into sections rather than having to read from start to finish. This is a business book to have close at hand!

-Clive Hawkins, Senior Counselor

The post What We’re Reading first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

This comment was made in a recent UK market survey referring to the increasing focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). Not something you would normally expect to hear when discussing these three key non-financial factors of sustainability!

Many stakeholders now look at a wide range of components that encompass ESG when measuring the sustainability and ethical impact of an investment in a business or company, as there is a correlation between a well-managed, high-performing organisation and strong ESG rating.

Ethical investing has been available for a number of years, but more financial institutions are now focusing on ESG as part of a holistic assessment of an organisation’s risk profile. Those organisations with favourable ESG ratings increasingly are able to access green capital and sustainability-linked finance at attractive borrowing rates. With in-house finance teams wanting access to the cheapest forms of capital for their organisation, you can see why ESG is attracting their interest and driving a greater internal effort to achieve a strong rating.

Despite these advances, ESG is still a relatively new concept and will require more understanding and buy-in from employees. This will require ESG being embedded within the organisation—adopted by top management and supported by a strong company narrative.

Spoken Word Communications works with many organisations to craft narratives, key messages, and train executives on how to deliver powerful presentations in an engaging, confident and credible way.

If you are planning to implement or refresh your ESG plan and require support or training to develop and tell your story, contact us.

The post “Finance is the New Climate Change Champion” first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

Meteorologists were predicting a weather event that the Lone Star State had not experienced in decades – freezing temperatures for multiple consecutive days.

No one could have predicted that this historic winter storm would take the lives of almost 200 Texans. The casualties mainly resulted from hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and fatal injuries suffered by people who decided to light the chimney to stay warm. Several homes went up in flames, trapping entire families inside.

After these tragedies, legislators and other community leaders pointed fingers at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), a non-profit organization that regulates the state’s electric energy. Much has been said about how ERCOT failed to prepare the state’s infrastructure for the much-anticipated conditions.

Yet, when it came to crisis communications, ERCOT believed they were prepared. Only a month before the freeze of February 2021, leadership approved a revised crisis communication plan.

During the crisis, ERCOT took to Twitter to inform the public of their fate, but the tweets seemed to have been written by engineers for engineers. They were so unclear that the general public couldn’t even tell if they were reading good or bad news.

For example, some of the ERCOT tweets read:

“The agency has declared an EEA 2. Rotating outages may be needed to protect the system.”

“Weather, more generation outages last night bring load shed to 18,00 MW.”

“For today…generators to return, renewable output to increase = increased customer restoration.”

ERCOT’s communication attempts were riddled with “internal speak,” rendering their messages indecipherable to the public, and damaging their credibility.

What happened with ERCOT is not unusual. Organizations that fail to speak to their audience in “the language of the living room” fail to communicate. For this particular event in February 2021, when lives were in a balance, the words used in the Tweets defeated the fundamental purpose of communication: to convey, inform and inspire confidence, especially during a crisis.

For more information on our training programs, contact us.

The post The Case for Using the Language of the Living Room first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

Five online sessions filled with tips and techniques are designed to help you when the real situation arises. The course will prepare you to take questions from the media, respond to crisis situations, deal with an angry public, and give powerful presentations.

The series includes the following one-hour courses:

1.     Preparing for a media interview

2.     Powerful messaging

3.     Giving a press briefing during a crisis

4.     Handling an angry public

5.     Delivering a powerful presentation

This series is appropriate for first-time participants as well as for repeat participants as a refresher. The first course begins on March 23, 2021.

TSPRA members can check the schedule and register here. 

The post Preparing for the Real Situation: TSPRA’s New Media Training Series first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

For more than five decades, in many American households Sunday evenings were characterized by an emblematic stopwatch with the sound of its unstoppable needles. Early in my journalistic career, this sound meant one thing: drop everything, sit down and pay attention.

Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick. 60 Minutes was about to begin.

The CBS television news magazine stories were riveting. Watching 60 Minutes was the equivalent of taking a master class taught by the best investigative journalists of the time. From the depth of the stories to the interviewing techniques to the use of hidden cameras, this gotcha journalism was inspiring. How invigorating to see our profession making an impact in society! How exhilarating to see that, as journalists, we gave a voice to the voiceless and served as a tool for change.

While the 60 Minutes pieces emphasized the work of the correspondents, I knew that behind each story there was an army of producers. One of them–Ira Rosen, a now-retired senior producer– just released Ticking Clock: Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes. His book is a memoir of his professional journey and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the stories were built upon a main character.

Rosen, who started working for the show in his late 20s was responsible for investigative stories when the internet and social media were non-existent. His technique to develop compelling stories came by identifying outstanding storytellers—individuals who spoke with energy, ease, and assurance. Rosen knew that these abilities made them jump out of the screen!

For Rosen, what better place to find these storytellers than in Washington D.C.! He spent long hours in and around government buildings talking with legislators and other federal officials. He created a file of superb storytellers, which he labeled “officials in search of a story.” Later, he tried to attach a story he was doing to each of them.

What did these storytellers have in common? They all spoke the language of the living room. They were conversational, energetic, and most importantly, believable.

Storytelling has reemerged as an important communication tool. While not everybody is born with such natural attributes, particularly in this age of virtual meetings, companies that encourage and empower their employees with opportunities to enhance their storytelling abilities reap the rewards. While their storytellers may not be cast as the main character on an investigative television story, they will achieve the same basic intention of every communication: for the listener to drop everything, sit down, and pay attention.

For more information on our training programs, contact us.

The post Searching for a Main Character first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.