So What Is Your Story?

I have found in working with creative projects and artists that is always best to start with the story.

Developing your narrative is one of the most important things you can do, but when I share this with most companies they look blankly at me with a puzzling “why?”

If you do not write your story, it will be written for you. And in today’s environment, it will be “broadcast” over the internet.

So start with your story, even before your business plan. Find a way to tell your story in compelling ways. And use your story to communicate with others, giving them the opportunity to relate to your visions and goals, to attract the interest of others, and to inspire those within your company.

Forbes.com recently posted an article on “Why storytelling is so invaluable, for executives and everyone else.” Read more… Getting Your Story Straight

Take 5 for Inspiration

The year was 1959. No one knew what was about to happen in the field of music. But jazz music was ready to take some giant steps.

Six of the most popular and/or groundbreaking albums in jazz history were recorded and released for the general market that year. Among them was Dave Brubeck’s multimillion-selling Time Out album, which included the first million-selling jazz instrumental single, a 45-rpm record of Take Five with Blue Rondo à la Turk on the flip side.

Columbia Records didn’t want Brubeck to record the album: it was to be all original material (no standards), with nothing danceable on it – releasing it to the general public was unthinkable. But it blew up! Time Out became one of the best selling jazz albums in history.

It’s all about going with what you’re inspired to do and making it happen. Jazz reached a creative apex in 1959; and today the same opportunities still exist. In fact, the internet opens up even more possibilities.

Get inspired to do what Dave Brubeck did 50 years ago. Read more about 1959 – seeing jazz take giant steps in popular culture…