Did You Know?

The 80 / 20 Rule

There are two ways to communicate to employees at an organization. The first way is through conventional rhetoric or traditional dissemination of information using mostly a reliance on PowerPoint.  The second way is through uniting an idea with an emotion through stories. Traditional meetings and training give 100% of information in which 20% is retained and 80% is usually forgotten. Why??? BECAUSE THE MEETING IS BORING! Stories are more interesting than facts and figures. A good story reverses those numbers where at least 80% of the information is retained and 20% is stored in a not-so-distant offshore emotional bank account. Stories evoke feeling. You may not remember everything that was being said, but you will remember how you felt. Feelings trigger data.

So what exactly is a story?

A story is an expression of change that consists of distinct parts:

• Setting- This is the place and time a story takes place.

• Characters- A story usually consists of a protagonist and an antagonist. A protagonist is usually the hero of the story (or main character that everyone can relate too). The antagonist is usually the villain of the story. A good storyteller shows an audience how the protagonist uses limited resources to make difficult decisions, take actions despite risks, and ultimately come to some sort of outcome.

• Plot- A plot is the sequence of events that the stories happen. It’s all the action that takes place in a story. A plot is made up of four parts:

1. Exposition– History and detail of events about their past that are important to understanding their personality and present lives. Background info on the characters explained at the beginning of the story (Can have info about has events that happen before the story began). It’s the first part of the plot
2. Conflict– Problem faced by characters. Happens when Characters are against each other. Usually the hero wants something or is trying to help someone and the villain is the one trying to stop the hero. Most important thing in the story. It doesn’t end until the conflict is resolved.
3. Climax– is when the conflict of the plot is revealed. When the hero saves the day, finds the buried treasure, slays the dragon, It’s also called the “turning point” because the plot changes for the better for the hero. Often the villain is defeated in the climax.
4. Happily Ever After– is the end of the story. Occurs after the conflict. When you learn what happens to the characters the conflict is over.