Bureaucrats, csmoderator, Interface administrators, Administrators (Semantic MediaWiki), Curators (Semantic MediaWiki), Administrators, Widget editors
2,963
edits
Changes
Replicating cohort pages
<div class="_responsive _mission">
__NOTOC__
<div style="font-size:40px;"><center>'''Session 6: Storytelling'''</center></div>
----<br>
{{Margin-limit|left=150px|right=200px|content=
{{Content-A
|color=
|title=
|content=<br>
[[File:Session6-header-new.png|750px]]<br><br>
''This UIF training module was created by our collaborators Aisha Bain and Meredith Hutchison of Resistance Communications exclusively for our program. [https://www.resistancecommunications.com/ Check out their work]! ''
''Note from the UIF team: we’ve previously given candidates one week to complete this session. After receiving feedback that candidates needed more time to complete their storytelling deliverables, we’ve extended the final deadline for all materials to October 15, which will give you two weeks to work on this session.''<br><br>
}}
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=We are made of stories.
|content=
<br>
We have been telling stories since the beginning of time — from visual stories on cave walls, to oral historians, to how we share parts of ourselves with a new friend, to rap music, to some nonsense politicians trying to tell us… 👀.
There are infinite reasons we tell stories. Stories shift power, they heal, they create pathways for change. They help us structure and organize thought, and help us make sense of the world.
Our physiology is actually primed for stories — they literally make us feel good! The connection we make with a story and the characters within them can release oxytocin which controls things like empathy and social interaction. Conflict or tension in a story can release cortisol which makes you stress the *bleep* out. All that to say, there are literally biological reasons why you are on the edge of your seat when you hear an epic story, and why you’re moved in certain ways.
Griots, indigenous storytellers, dream walkers, rawi, the krik krak, Hakawati, Rakugo — we are descendants from cultures, practices and histories steeped and shaped in storytelling (if you don’t know what these are — check em out!).
There are many different kinds of stories, many different reasons to tell stories. This training is about supporting you to stretch and grow your strategic storytelling skills — MEANING YOU WIELD THE POWER TO CHANGE MINDS (we’ll define what that all means in a second).
But before we begin there is one thing we want to stress before all else. '''Your story and your voice matter.''' It is easy to get caught up in your goals or end results and forget this fact. Whether you are sharing something very personal or talking about a new idea or product, you deserve to be listened to and your voice has value. Full stop.
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=So…strategic storytelling?
|content=<br>
Very simply, strategic storytelling is communicating a story that advances a goal. It is one kind of storytelling (of many) that is directed at a specific audience to shift their perceptions, mobilize power, and move people to action.
'''It is both a science and an art — purposeful design combined with personal expression and building connection.'''
We are going to take you through a framework to help you think about and craft storytelling grounded in strategy for change. We’re also going to link to some additional worksheets and guides to help you put all of this in practice. You can find links to these in their relevant sections further down the page, but we also wanted to share them all here for your reference in our Strategic Storytelling Workbook:
:<big>'''[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-VOnJMwwnZ_qtROjyjxHjdw-gfsiyg8/view?usp=sharing Strategic Storytelling Workbook]''' </big>
::* Goal & Target Audience
::* Target Audience Mapping
::* Strategic Storytelling Flow
::* Strategic Storytelling Flow Worksheet
::* Example
::* Do’s and Don’ts
::* Checklist for Project Challenge
::* Weaving Data and Emotional Strategic Storytelling
::* Artifact Mediums Guidance
::* Resources & Inspiration
This module will culminate in a project challenge to do some strategic storytelling to stakeholders and to craft some story artifacts. If you are one of those folks who prefers to know the assignment in order to frame how they go through the material, then check it out in the section “The Assignment” below and come back to this section.
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=Laying the groundwork for crafting your strategic story
|content=<br>
Let’s get to it. We’ve outlined key elements that are helpful in strategically crafting a story. This is not exhaustive nor a formula for success. Take these elements, think them through, rearrange, play, make them work for you and iterate to find the story(ies) that you find resonate most in getting your argument across to your audience.
<big>'''Strategic Storytelling Planning Begins with a Goal'''</big>
What is it you want to accomplish by telling your story? Start with this question. You are trying to move the people listening to do or think something — what is it? Make your goal as clear and defined as possible. This is not about the overall vision or solution you are building, but rather what is the 'action' and/or 'result' you want to achieve through storytelling.
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rUAsBz-qExU4IM829pfeS7FQ62NBya6s/view?usp=sharing Define your goal]
<big>'''Mapping your Target Audience'''</big>
'''Do you know your people?''' Ultimately you want to be able to build emotional connections with the people who have the power to move your idea forward (i.e. your target audience). Understanding who they are, how they think, feel, their pain and pleasure points, and where they may want to see themselves helps you get straight to the parts of the story that are going to resonate most.
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1szsQcPM_VPs7mFvHb2ISp1dpEXsbki19/view?usp=sharing Map your Audience]
'''Affirm your story’s uncompromising heart.''' Before jumping in, think through what parts of your story must be uncompromisingly shared, whether they are your or your community’s experiences, truths, things you have witnessed. Don’t give up those core parts of your story that cannot be adapted, even if they may make your target audience uncomfortable.
(i.e. When we are talking about race, we tell stories that directly address race even when it makes a white audience uncomfortable).
'''Who the messenger is matters.''' Decide who is telling the story. Different target audiences may connect best with speakers who are from their community. When strategically moving people, stories are often best told either by the people who have direct personal experience with the issue, and/or by the people your target audience relate to and trust the most.
'''Land on a medium.''' Decide what channel is best to convey your story to your target audience. Where do they consume information? stories? What format will most resonate with them? Are there any artifacts that you can design to help further communicate your story? If you don’t know the answer, there is a lot of existing market research that the interwebs can illuminate. ([https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qF7CmU_Xw9PT6zfiSdk4tRQh5BKr1Ojb/view?usp=sharing SEE HERE for additional information on some Artifact Mediums Guidance])
}}
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=Creating your story
|content=<br>
[[File:Screen Shot 2022-09-29 at 2.34.08 PM.png|550px]]<br><br>
The below points move through the whole arc. Depending on your medium (if you are writing a long-form story, for example) you can take time and space to flesh out each of these points. If you have less time (i.e. you speaking to an audience for a short amount of time) you can hit all the points on this arc in short, sweet, concise ways.
Check out the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1whTfrZG0X96YTp789GkaXWVx_e1tF4D4/view?usp=sharing additional resources page] of the workbook for more information and some great examples of strategic storytelling in action!
<big>'''START: Grab Attention and Tease the Solution (Also, don’t forget to introduce yourself)'''</big>
:*Drop people into the middle of a scene.
:*Create mystery.
:*Start with something flashy, bold — it could even be a very provocative question.
:*Give people a quick taste of the solution you are proposing (people are most often engaged by positive, hopeful visions and solutions).
<big>'''Establish Shared Values'''</big>
:*Your target audience wants to be connected to your story — make those connections for them by naming the points where you have shared values!
:*This builds a sense that you are on the same team and that they are invited into the story.
<big>'''Set the Scene: Who Are the People and What Is the Context?'''</big>
:*Think about where you want your target audience to see themselves in the story.
:*Spend time building out and focusing on these scenes.
:*If possible, make it personal and talk about how you specifically relate to the context and content of the story.
<big>'''Define the Issue'''</big>
:*This might be actual person vs. person conflict; it could be a person encountering a system that doesn’t work for them; it could be friction between two institutions; it could be resistance to new ideas.
:*Be very clear and descriptive about the issue.
:*Define how the issue translates to for an individual person.
<big>'''Reveal: Solution/Opportunities/Vision'''</big>
:*Don’t stop at the problem - show people that there is a way forward and lead them into your vision of the future.
:*Be descriptive - show them the details of this vision/solution and what it would mean for individuals and communities.
'''As you set the scene, define the issue, and reveal solutions, when possible, try to use data.''' Prove the conflict and illustrate the power of the solution.
Not every strategic story needs to include data. However, information, statistics, data, quotes from experts and sources can be useful in proving/backing up your point. Make sure your data is relevant, clear, and specific to your target audience. See the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Amk6KJRzq18dbJjKwLBVKSK2eS-daKjR/view?usp=sharing Weaving Data and Emotional Storytelling] page of the workbook for more information.
<big>'''Story Recap and Action Points'''</big>
:*What is the argument your story is trying to make? That should be crystal clear by the end and reiterated in your conclusion.
:*Summarize the journey arc you’ve taken people on and emphasize the ultimate point you are making.
:*Name any action points that you want people to take.
<big>'''Get Feedback + Iterate'''</big>
:*Test your story on volunteers from your target audience.
:*Come up with a question set (we’ve found 10 questions at most work - any more and people feel overwhelmed), that will help you understand - what resonated most and least, what they would have liked to have heard more about, etc.
:*Take their feedback and use it to help you craft the next iteration of the story. (If you can, do this several times).
}}
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=If you do nothing else...
|content=<br>
<big>'''Answer these three questions with your story:
:#Where do you want your target audience to see themselves in your story?
:#What do you want them to feel?
:#Where do you want them to go with you?'''</big>
'''Some other shorthand ''dos'' and ''don’ts'' to keep in mind:'''
'''DO'''
:*BE YOURSELF! People respond to authenticity!
:*Say what you mean, mean what you say.
:*Present problems as people-created so that they can be people-solved.
:*Show an alternative, solution, or vision.
:*Embrace direct action language such as “we achieve,” “we create,” “our campaign challenges” and “our coalition builds.”
'''DON'T'''
:*Start with the problem
:*Be passive
:*When we say “rents have skyrocketed,” “people are being displaced” we essentially cede that things are out of our control. Are you doing something, or are you thinking about maybe kind of talking about it? Additional words like “seek to” or “strive to” or “work to” dull the impact of our desires and accomplishments.
:*Talk about what you are not doing.
:*Dance around the issue.
:*Start a conversation you don’t want to have.
}}
{{Content-A
|color=#8C1515
|title=Assignment: Tell your strategic story
|content=<br>
So here’s the challenge. Create and share a strategic story that advances your solution (aka the project you’ve been working on).
You are designing solutions for problems and gaps you’ve witnessed at your university. Your '''goal''' should be a specific action that you need institution stakeholders to take to move forward with your project solution. Your '''target audience''' is the institution stakeholders you’ve previously identified for the stakeholder meeting, whom you need to advance your project. You will be putting your strategic storytelling into practice during your '''stakeholder meeting'''.
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#8C1515
|title=Deliverable 1: Prototype, text and produce your storytelling artifact
|content=<br>
'''1. Use the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-VOnJMwwnZ_qtROjyjxHjdw-gfsiyg8/view?usp=sharing Workbook] to create your story''' and identify the specific goal and target audience of the [https://universityinnovation.org/wiki/2023:Training/Stakeholder_Meeting stakeholder meeting]. (While we’ve already requested that university VPs/Stakeholders be your audience, think about how you might get even more specific about who you want in the room).
'''2. Weave some data into your storytelling'''. Figure out what data may help move your idea forward and where you can find relevant statistics. Consult the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Amk6KJRzq18dbJjKwLBVKSK2eS-daKjR/view?usp=sharing Weaving Data and Emotional Storytelling] page of the workbook for guidance.
'''3. Create an Artifact.''' Decide what medium would best support your storytelling. You can use any of the media below to bring your strategic story to life through an artifact.
:*'Video' (Must be 2-3 minutes)
:*'Infographic' (Please create visuals for 3 or more pieces of information)
:*'Presentation Slideshow' (Slideshow = series of visuals or slides that you take an audience through as you tell your story.) If you select this option, at the end of the week, please share the slideshow and a recording of your presentation using it. Keep in mind, THIS IS NOT A RUN-OF-THE-MILL powerpoint. This is a strategic combination of visuals and a minimal amount of text to enhance your story!
Consult the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qF7CmU_Xw9PT6zfiSdk4tRQh5BKr1Ojb/view?usp=sharing Artifact Mediums Guidance] for parameters around what we are looking for from you for each medium. '''You only have to use one medium to create one artifact''' (however, if you are feeling ambitious we invite you to combine mediums or create multiple artifacts).
'''4. Prototype your Strategic Story and artifact with a test audience.''' Ideally this would be your uiguide or someone who knows the Stakeholder group well. Be sure to prepare a few key questions to gather their feedback following your demo. These could include:
''What resonated most? What resonated least? ''
''How would you summarize what my/our story was about? ''
''Did the problem we are trying to solve feel clear? What might have helped you understand the problem better?''
''Did our solution feel clear? What might have made our solution more interesting for you? ''
'''5. Incorporate feedback from your prototyping session into your story and artifact.''' Play around, experiment, and iterate to refine what you have to say and show! HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT!
'''6. Create the final version of your strategic story and artifact, and hold your stakeholder meeting.''' See deliverable 2 below for more details.
Make sure that whatever you create is accessible. Please consider adding closed captioning (an option when you upload your video to YouTube) for any of your viewers who may have difficulty hearing. If you are creating infographics or graphics as part of your presentation slideshow, please include [https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/how-write-alt-text-and-image-descriptions-visually-impaired image descriptions] in the captions.
Additionally, for those of you outside the U.S., feel free to use your primary language for content to best meet your audience's needs, and if you can, please add closed captioning or translations in English so the UIF team can understand your content.
{{Fmbox|image=none| style = border:5px solid dimgrey; background-color:lightgrey;|text=
{{Fmbox|image=none|text=Submit a link to your strategic storytelling artifact by October 15. If you're using an infographic, upload the file to your team's Google Drive folder, and use that link in your assignment submission. Visit the [[2023:Training/Submitting Assignments|Submitting Assignments]] page for more on how to submit your assignment.}}
}}
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#8C1515
|title=Deliverable 2: Share the report from your stakeholder meeting
|content=<br>
As a reminder, this is an opportunity for you to have an in-person, face-to-face meeting with a group of campus leaders and faculty who are supportive of innovation and entrepreneurship (more on the stakeholder meeting). This is also an opportunity to practice your storytelling skills.
If your storytelling artifact is ready for your stakeholder meeting, you should share it during the meeting! If you’re holding your stakeholder meeting before your artifact is ready, the feedback and insights shared at your meeting could be helpful in defining some of the topics your artifact should include.
For this assignment, after you hold your meeting, we would like you to create and share a report of your first stakeholder meeting. This should contain:
:*A one-page account of the meeting, including an overview of the presentation and any feedback you received.
:*The artifact you created to complement your strategic story. If your artifact was a slideshow make sure you share a recording of you presenting the slideshow.
:*Any other items from the meeting (an agenda, photos from the meeting, an attendance list, etc)
:*You should email the report to the stakeholders who attended your meeting as well as to those who were unable to attend. CC the UIF team (team@universityinnovation.org); this will lend further credibility to your efforts and demonstrate your connection to program leaders. We love supporting your network-building efforts and learn about your ecosystem by checking out your awesome report.
{{Fmbox|image=none| style = border:5px solid dimgrey; background-color:lightgrey;|text=
{{Fmbox|image=none|text=Your email to the attendees of your stakeholder meeting (CCing us) should be sent by October 15.}}
{{Fmbox|image=none|text=Your Google Drive folder with your stakeholder meeting report should be submitted by October 15. Visit the [[2023:Training/Submitting Assignments|Submitting Assignments]] page for more on how to submit your assignment.}}
}}
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=Connect with your uiguide and confirm your launch requirements.
|content=<br>
You've made it to the final stretch of the UIF online training! As you wrap up your work, this is the week to connect with your uiguide and show them you are ready to be launched as a thought leader and change agent. Share with them all your completed deliverables -- outlined in the list below. Meet with your Faculty Champion and email them your work. Here's what your Faculty Champion will be looking for:<br>
* '''Stakeholder Meeting:''' Did you hold one? If not, have you communicated your game plan for doing it?
* '''Stakeholder Meeting Artifacts:''' If you completed it, did you send the follow-up email to participants cc'ing the UIF team?
* '''Landscape Canvas:''' Did you complete yours? Do you show evidence of understanding your campus landscape and the challenges students face in navigating the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem (Session 3)?
* '''Design Thinking:''' Did you interview students about the first-year experience on campus, identified opportunities for innovation and proposed possible solutions (Session 2)?
* '''Lean Startup:''' Did you interview stakeholders, from faculty/administration to previously-trained Fellows, testing your assumptions about the projects you wish to initiate using the Change Model Canvas (Session 5)?
* '''Wiki Pages:''' Have you created/updated the below pages? Are they written well, formatted nicely and free of spelling/grammatical errors? When we email these links to your your campus leaders, will they reflect well on you as a thought leader?
**Campus Overview (Session 3, step 2)
**Strategic Priorities page (Session 4, assignment 2)
**Your bio page (Your Mission)
* '''Strategic Storytelling Artifact:''' Will your audience understand your vision for change? Did you take into consideration your uiguide's feedback? Do you need to do some final edits before it goes viral on your campus? Make sure that you've submitted your artifact (Session 6) by October 15.<br><br>
All deliverables must be confirmed by October 15 at midnight Eastern Time for students and faculty champions to receive their launch email the following week.
}}
}}
{{SessionBar2023}}
----
<center>{{Copyright2023}}</center>
[[Category:2023 Sessions]]
</div>
__NOTOC__
<div style="font-size:40px;"><center>'''Session 6: Storytelling'''</center></div>
----<br>
{{Margin-limit|left=150px|right=200px|content=
{{Content-A
|color=
|title=
|content=<br>
[[File:Session6-header-new.png|750px]]<br><br>
''This UIF training module was created by our collaborators Aisha Bain and Meredith Hutchison of Resistance Communications exclusively for our program. [https://www.resistancecommunications.com/ Check out their work]! ''
''Note from the UIF team: we’ve previously given candidates one week to complete this session. After receiving feedback that candidates needed more time to complete their storytelling deliverables, we’ve extended the final deadline for all materials to October 15, which will give you two weeks to work on this session.''<br><br>
}}
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=We are made of stories.
|content=
<br>
We have been telling stories since the beginning of time — from visual stories on cave walls, to oral historians, to how we share parts of ourselves with a new friend, to rap music, to some nonsense politicians trying to tell us… 👀.
There are infinite reasons we tell stories. Stories shift power, they heal, they create pathways for change. They help us structure and organize thought, and help us make sense of the world.
Our physiology is actually primed for stories — they literally make us feel good! The connection we make with a story and the characters within them can release oxytocin which controls things like empathy and social interaction. Conflict or tension in a story can release cortisol which makes you stress the *bleep* out. All that to say, there are literally biological reasons why you are on the edge of your seat when you hear an epic story, and why you’re moved in certain ways.
Griots, indigenous storytellers, dream walkers, rawi, the krik krak, Hakawati, Rakugo — we are descendants from cultures, practices and histories steeped and shaped in storytelling (if you don’t know what these are — check em out!).
There are many different kinds of stories, many different reasons to tell stories. This training is about supporting you to stretch and grow your strategic storytelling skills — MEANING YOU WIELD THE POWER TO CHANGE MINDS (we’ll define what that all means in a second).
But before we begin there is one thing we want to stress before all else. '''Your story and your voice matter.''' It is easy to get caught up in your goals or end results and forget this fact. Whether you are sharing something very personal or talking about a new idea or product, you deserve to be listened to and your voice has value. Full stop.
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=So…strategic storytelling?
|content=<br>
Very simply, strategic storytelling is communicating a story that advances a goal. It is one kind of storytelling (of many) that is directed at a specific audience to shift their perceptions, mobilize power, and move people to action.
'''It is both a science and an art — purposeful design combined with personal expression and building connection.'''
We are going to take you through a framework to help you think about and craft storytelling grounded in strategy for change. We’re also going to link to some additional worksheets and guides to help you put all of this in practice. You can find links to these in their relevant sections further down the page, but we also wanted to share them all here for your reference in our Strategic Storytelling Workbook:
:<big>'''[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-VOnJMwwnZ_qtROjyjxHjdw-gfsiyg8/view?usp=sharing Strategic Storytelling Workbook]''' </big>
::* Goal & Target Audience
::* Target Audience Mapping
::* Strategic Storytelling Flow
::* Strategic Storytelling Flow Worksheet
::* Example
::* Do’s and Don’ts
::* Checklist for Project Challenge
::* Weaving Data and Emotional Strategic Storytelling
::* Artifact Mediums Guidance
::* Resources & Inspiration
This module will culminate in a project challenge to do some strategic storytelling to stakeholders and to craft some story artifacts. If you are one of those folks who prefers to know the assignment in order to frame how they go through the material, then check it out in the section “The Assignment” below and come back to this section.
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=Laying the groundwork for crafting your strategic story
|content=<br>
Let’s get to it. We’ve outlined key elements that are helpful in strategically crafting a story. This is not exhaustive nor a formula for success. Take these elements, think them through, rearrange, play, make them work for you and iterate to find the story(ies) that you find resonate most in getting your argument across to your audience.
<big>'''Strategic Storytelling Planning Begins with a Goal'''</big>
What is it you want to accomplish by telling your story? Start with this question. You are trying to move the people listening to do or think something — what is it? Make your goal as clear and defined as possible. This is not about the overall vision or solution you are building, but rather what is the 'action' and/or 'result' you want to achieve through storytelling.
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rUAsBz-qExU4IM829pfeS7FQ62NBya6s/view?usp=sharing Define your goal]
<big>'''Mapping your Target Audience'''</big>
'''Do you know your people?''' Ultimately you want to be able to build emotional connections with the people who have the power to move your idea forward (i.e. your target audience). Understanding who they are, how they think, feel, their pain and pleasure points, and where they may want to see themselves helps you get straight to the parts of the story that are going to resonate most.
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1szsQcPM_VPs7mFvHb2ISp1dpEXsbki19/view?usp=sharing Map your Audience]
'''Affirm your story’s uncompromising heart.''' Before jumping in, think through what parts of your story must be uncompromisingly shared, whether they are your or your community’s experiences, truths, things you have witnessed. Don’t give up those core parts of your story that cannot be adapted, even if they may make your target audience uncomfortable.
(i.e. When we are talking about race, we tell stories that directly address race even when it makes a white audience uncomfortable).
'''Who the messenger is matters.''' Decide who is telling the story. Different target audiences may connect best with speakers who are from their community. When strategically moving people, stories are often best told either by the people who have direct personal experience with the issue, and/or by the people your target audience relate to and trust the most.
'''Land on a medium.''' Decide what channel is best to convey your story to your target audience. Where do they consume information? stories? What format will most resonate with them? Are there any artifacts that you can design to help further communicate your story? If you don’t know the answer, there is a lot of existing market research that the interwebs can illuminate. ([https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qF7CmU_Xw9PT6zfiSdk4tRQh5BKr1Ojb/view?usp=sharing SEE HERE for additional information on some Artifact Mediums Guidance])
}}
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=Creating your story
|content=<br>
[[File:Screen Shot 2022-09-29 at 2.34.08 PM.png|550px]]<br><br>
The below points move through the whole arc. Depending on your medium (if you are writing a long-form story, for example) you can take time and space to flesh out each of these points. If you have less time (i.e. you speaking to an audience for a short amount of time) you can hit all the points on this arc in short, sweet, concise ways.
Check out the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1whTfrZG0X96YTp789GkaXWVx_e1tF4D4/view?usp=sharing additional resources page] of the workbook for more information and some great examples of strategic storytelling in action!
<big>'''START: Grab Attention and Tease the Solution (Also, don’t forget to introduce yourself)'''</big>
:*Drop people into the middle of a scene.
:*Create mystery.
:*Start with something flashy, bold — it could even be a very provocative question.
:*Give people a quick taste of the solution you are proposing (people are most often engaged by positive, hopeful visions and solutions).
<big>'''Establish Shared Values'''</big>
:*Your target audience wants to be connected to your story — make those connections for them by naming the points where you have shared values!
:*This builds a sense that you are on the same team and that they are invited into the story.
<big>'''Set the Scene: Who Are the People and What Is the Context?'''</big>
:*Think about where you want your target audience to see themselves in the story.
:*Spend time building out and focusing on these scenes.
:*If possible, make it personal and talk about how you specifically relate to the context and content of the story.
<big>'''Define the Issue'''</big>
:*This might be actual person vs. person conflict; it could be a person encountering a system that doesn’t work for them; it could be friction between two institutions; it could be resistance to new ideas.
:*Be very clear and descriptive about the issue.
:*Define how the issue translates to for an individual person.
<big>'''Reveal: Solution/Opportunities/Vision'''</big>
:*Don’t stop at the problem - show people that there is a way forward and lead them into your vision of the future.
:*Be descriptive - show them the details of this vision/solution and what it would mean for individuals and communities.
'''As you set the scene, define the issue, and reveal solutions, when possible, try to use data.''' Prove the conflict and illustrate the power of the solution.
Not every strategic story needs to include data. However, information, statistics, data, quotes from experts and sources can be useful in proving/backing up your point. Make sure your data is relevant, clear, and specific to your target audience. See the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Amk6KJRzq18dbJjKwLBVKSK2eS-daKjR/view?usp=sharing Weaving Data and Emotional Storytelling] page of the workbook for more information.
<big>'''Story Recap and Action Points'''</big>
:*What is the argument your story is trying to make? That should be crystal clear by the end and reiterated in your conclusion.
:*Summarize the journey arc you’ve taken people on and emphasize the ultimate point you are making.
:*Name any action points that you want people to take.
<big>'''Get Feedback + Iterate'''</big>
:*Test your story on volunteers from your target audience.
:*Come up with a question set (we’ve found 10 questions at most work - any more and people feel overwhelmed), that will help you understand - what resonated most and least, what they would have liked to have heard more about, etc.
:*Take their feedback and use it to help you craft the next iteration of the story. (If you can, do this several times).
}}
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=If you do nothing else...
|content=<br>
<big>'''Answer these three questions with your story:
:#Where do you want your target audience to see themselves in your story?
:#What do you want them to feel?
:#Where do you want them to go with you?'''</big>
'''Some other shorthand ''dos'' and ''don’ts'' to keep in mind:'''
'''DO'''
:*BE YOURSELF! People respond to authenticity!
:*Say what you mean, mean what you say.
:*Present problems as people-created so that they can be people-solved.
:*Show an alternative, solution, or vision.
:*Embrace direct action language such as “we achieve,” “we create,” “our campaign challenges” and “our coalition builds.”
'''DON'T'''
:*Start with the problem
:*Be passive
:*When we say “rents have skyrocketed,” “people are being displaced” we essentially cede that things are out of our control. Are you doing something, or are you thinking about maybe kind of talking about it? Additional words like “seek to” or “strive to” or “work to” dull the impact of our desires and accomplishments.
:*Talk about what you are not doing.
:*Dance around the issue.
:*Start a conversation you don’t want to have.
}}
{{Content-A
|color=#8C1515
|title=Assignment: Tell your strategic story
|content=<br>
So here’s the challenge. Create and share a strategic story that advances your solution (aka the project you’ve been working on).
You are designing solutions for problems and gaps you’ve witnessed at your university. Your '''goal''' should be a specific action that you need institution stakeholders to take to move forward with your project solution. Your '''target audience''' is the institution stakeholders you’ve previously identified for the stakeholder meeting, whom you need to advance your project. You will be putting your strategic storytelling into practice during your '''stakeholder meeting'''.
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#8C1515
|title=Deliverable 1: Prototype, text and produce your storytelling artifact
|content=<br>
'''1. Use the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-VOnJMwwnZ_qtROjyjxHjdw-gfsiyg8/view?usp=sharing Workbook] to create your story''' and identify the specific goal and target audience of the [https://universityinnovation.org/wiki/2023:Training/Stakeholder_Meeting stakeholder meeting]. (While we’ve already requested that university VPs/Stakeholders be your audience, think about how you might get even more specific about who you want in the room).
'''2. Weave some data into your storytelling'''. Figure out what data may help move your idea forward and where you can find relevant statistics. Consult the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Amk6KJRzq18dbJjKwLBVKSK2eS-daKjR/view?usp=sharing Weaving Data and Emotional Storytelling] page of the workbook for guidance.
'''3. Create an Artifact.''' Decide what medium would best support your storytelling. You can use any of the media below to bring your strategic story to life through an artifact.
:*'Video' (Must be 2-3 minutes)
:*'Infographic' (Please create visuals for 3 or more pieces of information)
:*'Presentation Slideshow' (Slideshow = series of visuals or slides that you take an audience through as you tell your story.) If you select this option, at the end of the week, please share the slideshow and a recording of your presentation using it. Keep in mind, THIS IS NOT A RUN-OF-THE-MILL powerpoint. This is a strategic combination of visuals and a minimal amount of text to enhance your story!
Consult the [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qF7CmU_Xw9PT6zfiSdk4tRQh5BKr1Ojb/view?usp=sharing Artifact Mediums Guidance] for parameters around what we are looking for from you for each medium. '''You only have to use one medium to create one artifact''' (however, if you are feeling ambitious we invite you to combine mediums or create multiple artifacts).
'''4. Prototype your Strategic Story and artifact with a test audience.''' Ideally this would be your uiguide or someone who knows the Stakeholder group well. Be sure to prepare a few key questions to gather their feedback following your demo. These could include:
''What resonated most? What resonated least? ''
''How would you summarize what my/our story was about? ''
''Did the problem we are trying to solve feel clear? What might have helped you understand the problem better?''
''Did our solution feel clear? What might have made our solution more interesting for you? ''
'''5. Incorporate feedback from your prototyping session into your story and artifact.''' Play around, experiment, and iterate to refine what you have to say and show! HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT!
'''6. Create the final version of your strategic story and artifact, and hold your stakeholder meeting.''' See deliverable 2 below for more details.
Make sure that whatever you create is accessible. Please consider adding closed captioning (an option when you upload your video to YouTube) for any of your viewers who may have difficulty hearing. If you are creating infographics or graphics as part of your presentation slideshow, please include [https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/how-write-alt-text-and-image-descriptions-visually-impaired image descriptions] in the captions.
Additionally, for those of you outside the U.S., feel free to use your primary language for content to best meet your audience's needs, and if you can, please add closed captioning or translations in English so the UIF team can understand your content.
{{Fmbox|image=none| style = border:5px solid dimgrey; background-color:lightgrey;|text=
{{Fmbox|image=none|text=Submit a link to your strategic storytelling artifact by October 15. If you're using an infographic, upload the file to your team's Google Drive folder, and use that link in your assignment submission. Visit the [[2023:Training/Submitting Assignments|Submitting Assignments]] page for more on how to submit your assignment.}}
}}
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#8C1515
|title=Deliverable 2: Share the report from your stakeholder meeting
|content=<br>
As a reminder, this is an opportunity for you to have an in-person, face-to-face meeting with a group of campus leaders and faculty who are supportive of innovation and entrepreneurship (more on the stakeholder meeting). This is also an opportunity to practice your storytelling skills.
If your storytelling artifact is ready for your stakeholder meeting, you should share it during the meeting! If you’re holding your stakeholder meeting before your artifact is ready, the feedback and insights shared at your meeting could be helpful in defining some of the topics your artifact should include.
For this assignment, after you hold your meeting, we would like you to create and share a report of your first stakeholder meeting. This should contain:
:*A one-page account of the meeting, including an overview of the presentation and any feedback you received.
:*The artifact you created to complement your strategic story. If your artifact was a slideshow make sure you share a recording of you presenting the slideshow.
:*Any other items from the meeting (an agenda, photos from the meeting, an attendance list, etc)
:*You should email the report to the stakeholders who attended your meeting as well as to those who were unable to attend. CC the UIF team (team@universityinnovation.org); this will lend further credibility to your efforts and demonstrate your connection to program leaders. We love supporting your network-building efforts and learn about your ecosystem by checking out your awesome report.
{{Fmbox|image=none| style = border:5px solid dimgrey; background-color:lightgrey;|text=
{{Fmbox|image=none|text=Your email to the attendees of your stakeholder meeting (CCing us) should be sent by October 15.}}
{{Fmbox|image=none|text=Your Google Drive folder with your stakeholder meeting report should be submitted by October 15. Visit the [[2023:Training/Submitting Assignments|Submitting Assignments]] page for more on how to submit your assignment.}}
}}
}}<br>
{{Content-A
|color=#5F574F
|title=Connect with your uiguide and confirm your launch requirements.
|content=<br>
You've made it to the final stretch of the UIF online training! As you wrap up your work, this is the week to connect with your uiguide and show them you are ready to be launched as a thought leader and change agent. Share with them all your completed deliverables -- outlined in the list below. Meet with your Faculty Champion and email them your work. Here's what your Faculty Champion will be looking for:<br>
* '''Stakeholder Meeting:''' Did you hold one? If not, have you communicated your game plan for doing it?
* '''Stakeholder Meeting Artifacts:''' If you completed it, did you send the follow-up email to participants cc'ing the UIF team?
* '''Landscape Canvas:''' Did you complete yours? Do you show evidence of understanding your campus landscape and the challenges students face in navigating the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem (Session 3)?
* '''Design Thinking:''' Did you interview students about the first-year experience on campus, identified opportunities for innovation and proposed possible solutions (Session 2)?
* '''Lean Startup:''' Did you interview stakeholders, from faculty/administration to previously-trained Fellows, testing your assumptions about the projects you wish to initiate using the Change Model Canvas (Session 5)?
* '''Wiki Pages:''' Have you created/updated the below pages? Are they written well, formatted nicely and free of spelling/grammatical errors? When we email these links to your your campus leaders, will they reflect well on you as a thought leader?
**Campus Overview (Session 3, step 2)
**Strategic Priorities page (Session 4, assignment 2)
**Your bio page (Your Mission)
* '''Strategic Storytelling Artifact:''' Will your audience understand your vision for change? Did you take into consideration your uiguide's feedback? Do you need to do some final edits before it goes viral on your campus? Make sure that you've submitted your artifact (Session 6) by October 15.<br><br>
All deliverables must be confirmed by October 15 at midnight Eastern Time for students and faculty champions to receive their launch email the following week.
}}
}}
{{SessionBar2023}}
----
<center>{{Copyright2023}}</center>
[[Category:2023 Sessions]]
</div>