Tell Me a Story

“Tell me a fact, and I'll learn. Tell me a truth, and I'll believe. Tell me a story, and it will live in my heart forever.”   Unknown

Here are the elements of the story.

Houses built of brick are sturdy

Do the important things first

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs…

Storytelling doesn’t have to be that blatant, or long-winded, but telling a story DOES make things more understandable and more memorable.

Our client, the owner of Superior Landscaping requires us to indicate the gender of the caller.

Agents are dropping the ball

Not a great first impression

Here’s the story that changes everything.

The owner of Superior Landscaping is from South America; he is not familiar with U.S. first names. If he doesn’t know the gender of the person he’s calling, he mangles the telephone greeting, especially if Mr. or Ms. Customer is not home and he needs to leave a message for him or her. He is a GREAT landscaper, let’s help him be successful with this, his first business in the US. Using a story to explain – perfection – agents understand completely, and the reason will live in their hearts – well, maybe not forever, but for a long time.

Instructions – Dr. Howard on-call through Saturday

Mom about to deliver insists Dr promised to talk with her.

Agent knows Dr. Elliott is “so sweet, she won’t mind.” 

Obstetrician furious

Even doctors deserve a break. Dr. Samantha Elliott and her husband were celebrating their first anniversary on Friday night. She planned a romantic dinner out at the same restaurant where he proposed to her. She had just begun to tell her husband that they were expecting their first child when her cell phone rang. Fearing a terrible emergency Dr. Elliott answered the call and was beside herself when she discovered her explicit instructions to call Dr. Howard with all calls had been ignored and she was called in the middle of her big moment. 

We all deserve some private time; our instructions are there to be followed. She will take her business elsewhere.

To explain to agents that the clients were “upset” doesn’t begin to help them to understand. Facts are easy to forget – stories are easy to remember.

When you have a situation that needs a solution – turn it into a heartfelt story that will be difficult to ever forget.

 

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