The Power of Storytelling

Captivate, Convince, or Convert Any Business Audience Using Stories from Top CEOs

By: Jim Holtje

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

A guide to crafting unforgettable, attention-grabbing business communications – from speeches and letters to business plans - using stories from the world's top business leaders.

The world's foremost business leaders are also great storytellers. For example, industry titan Jack Welch has told how his mother instilled enough tough love and confidence in him to overcome the fact that he was the shortest kid in his class and had a severe stutter. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com, often tells a story of setting up the company's first office in a converted garage.

The Power of Storytelling collects the best of these stories, which listeners can use to strengthen their own communication. It's great for anyone who needs to lead, inspire, and motivate an audience in a business setting, whether they're writing speeches, pep talks, interview talking points, employee letters, or Op- Eds. With anecdotes from Bill Gates, Sam Walton, Ted Turner, Steve Jobs, and many more, this is an inspiring and immensely useful audiobook.

©2011 Jim Holtje (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"Thanks to Jim for a indispensable resource for leaders who aim to make a lasting impact with their words." (Dana Rubin, Director, New York Speechwriters Roundtable)

"Executives who know how to tell effective business stories will influence audiences, motivate employees, and get good media attention. All executives need to master this communication skill. The wisest of executives will turn to this book to learn how." (Joan Detz, Author of How To Write & Give A Speech)

Redundant and repetative

I had high hopes for this book but found it to be a collection of short stories that the author would then suggest you tell to others by saying "I am reminded of a story..." and then just repeat the story. That's all well and fine the first 3 times... but I couldn't bare anymore of the formulaic and redundant pattern. No real structure being revealed here.

Good storytelling reference book

What does Sean Pratt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nothing. If I wanted this as a reference book, I would prefer the printed copy.

Was The Power of Storytelling worth the listening time?

Yes, if you are interested in listing to one story after another.

Any additional comments?

If you are interested in stories to drive home a point, this book will be of interest. However, I felt the audiobook was a little boring hearing one story after another. In my opinion this book is more of a reference catalog of stories to highlight your point in a speech.

Not as good as I had hoped.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Spent more time telling really good stories. The stories were for the most part very short and not long enough to hold your interest.

Every chapter cuts short unexpectedly.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. Every chapter cuts short unexpectedly. It doesn't play the entire chapter.

What could Jim Holtje have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Play the full chapter

Which scene was your favorite?

None

Did The Power of Storytelling inspire you to do anything?

No

Should not be an audiobook

This is designed as a reference book for speakers looking to poach anecdotes for their own speeches.
This is essentially just a listing of sample anecdotes.
Should not be an audiobook even kind of.

Wierd reading

The book is read really wierd. It stops at random place and seem to miss out . It seems to oddly start at a topic not connected.