"Corporate Storymaking and the Art of the Story"
Presenter: Frank O Smith
Frank O Smith’s presentation, “Corporate Storymaking and the Art of Story,” is a distillation of his 20+ years experience consulting with corporations, melded with a synthesis of his two-day writing workshop, “The Art of Story.” The arc of the presentation starts with defining what “story” is – and progresses to answering the question: “how do you know if your story is great?” In the process, Frank will illustrate the five basic elements of storycraft and the six fundamental rules of storymaking, using the movie “The Wizard of Oz” to illuminate the first, and three case stories from his career to illustrate the latter. Frank will challenge us to link storytelling to sustainability- for our own businesses, for our clients, for ACE and for the State.
Frank O Smith, founder of Corporate Storymaking, has worked as a professional writer for over 30 years. His novel, DREAM SINGER, was a finalist for the Bellwether Prize, “in support of a literature of social change,” created and championed by best-selling novelist Barbara Kingsolver. He has ghostwritten two business books and a children’s book, and has consulted with corporations, conducting “corporate storymaking” workshops internationally. He’s written numerous magazine feature articles; works as a writing coach; writes book reviews; and teaches “The Art of Story” writing workshop through MECA. Frank's email address is:
fosmith@thewritinggroup.com.
Roundtable
Takes place 9:45-10:30 after the regular meeting and is optional
“Asking Great Questions”
Facilitator: Arthur Fink
Insight & Clarity
Great questions serve many functions. In addition to helping gain needed information and understanding, they cement relationships, let colleagues, customers, clients, and others know that we care about them, help these people understand our view of a particular situation or issue. Great questions create engagement, trust, and energy.
What makes a "great" question? Great questions are not argumentative, don't assert power or try to make a speaker wrong, are more about the issue than about the questioner. But what more can we say, and how can we learn which questions might be most productive?
Come to this roundtable . . .
- To explore which kinds of questions are most, or least, helpful
- To look at why we might ask a certain question, or kind of question
- To practice formulating questions that will enhance discussion and understanding
- To get to know fellow ACE members and attendees better, as we consider the questions they might ask
This will be an active session -- not a lecture. Come with your curiosity, energy and passion. Bring questions, concerns, and stories. And -- if you can -- come with memories of some of the great questions that have helped you at home, at work, anywhere.
Arthur Fink is a consultant helping nonprofit boards with mission, focus, governance, and conflict; a coach dealing with communication, management, and creativity; and a photographer well known for his dance images. He is often praised for his cogent questions, and is working on a book entitled, "Asking Great Questions". Arthur was for many years a usability consultant and user interface designer -- which meant he was asking questions of users. He was also host of a radio interview program, and has had many other opportunities to, practice his question asking skills.
Arthur's business, Insight and Clarity provides consulting for both profit and nonprofit organizations -- on strategy, mission, decision making, conflict, creativity and communication; meeting facilitation and planning; and coaching on leadership, creativity, and making difference.
The Facts...
The A.C.E. regular meeting has networking, a buffet breakfast and a speaker. Guests are welcome.
Registrations are required by May 14, 2013. If you want to be included on the registration list at the meeting then you need to register by the due date.
You can pay online by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover NOT AMERICAN EXPRESS!) or mail a check to:
A.C.E.
110 Marginal Way #142
Portland ME 04101
If you are mailing a check, please register here so the system can track the registrants for us. Thanks!
Members: the $22 fee only works if you pay in advance. At the door, it is $28.
