The ABT method is just about the simplest storytelling structure, but we can make it more effective. ABT, developed by Randy Olson, stands for “And, But, Therefore.” Each of those words corresponds to an act of a story.
storytelling
Why you need a process for problem-solving
I blame my boys for the last two weeks. I mean, it’s a good thing, but still. It’s totally their fault I’ve been spending the last two weeks teaching myself how to solve a Rubik’s Cube.
How to create a “moment of truth”
What really happens in a moment of truth? And I don’t mean the Procter & Gamble, marketing, or even Google “moments of truth,” though I’ll get to those in a minute.
How to Use Storytelling to Talk About Yourself – EP:084
Someone asking you to talk about yourself can be intimidating, but storytelling can help you out. Realize that what people are really asking for when they ask you to talk about yourself are the patterns of who you are.
When communications failures drive marketing failures
In 1987, the Walt Disney Corporation and the government of France signed a deal to build a new Disney theme park in the suburbs outside of Paris.
Who’s the hero of your story? Not you.
Ignaz Semmelweis had solved a mystery. And it drove him insane.
Story vs. Narrative – EP063
A System of Stories We use the word “story” a lot, but there are several times when we actually mean something else: narrative.
Why Telling a Complete Story Doesn’t Always Work – EP062
In Medias Res We talk a lot about telling stories with our messages, but a common mistake is to tell a story that’s already over.
The Last Six Miles
I’ve lived in Boston for 25 years now. And if you’ve lived there that long, the famed Boston Marathon has this sneaky effect.
What is the Shape of Your Story? – EP048
The Three Story Shapes Kurt Vonnegut had this idea that stories have shapes. Here’s how it would work: if you could map a story with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing our characters’ fortunes, you could see how it’s structured over time.