According to recent research, 90% of business leaders believe that storytelling is essential to success. Narrative-based business planning, which uses strategic stories to relate key business operations and objectives, is becoming increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for driving organizational change and innovation. The multinational corporation 3M is a shining example of how strategic stories can revolutionize business planning.
3M’s strategic storytelling initiative began over a decade ago, when the company’s leadership realized the need for a more engaging and inspirational approach to their business planning process. Rather than relying on traditional spreadsheets and data-driven decision-making, they sought to inject more creativity and emotional resonance into their planning process. This led to the development of a company-wide strategic storytelling program, which focused on using narrative-based techniques to communicate key business objectives and encourage innovation.
One of the key elements of 3M’s strategic storytelling approach is the use of “anthems” – short, catchy phrases that capture the essence of a particular business objective or initiative. These anthems serve as rallying points for employees, helping to align different departments and encourage collaboration. For example, 3M’s “Innovation Lives Here” anthem has become a unifying force for the company’s research and development teams, inspiring them to push the boundaries of what’s possible in their respective fields.
Another important aspect of 3M’s storytelling program is the use of case studies and other examples to illustrate key concepts and objectives. By sharing real-world examples of successful business initiatives, employees are able to see the potential impact of their work in a broader context. This not only helps to motivate and inspire, but also fosters a deeper understanding of how different parts of the organization work together to achieve larger goals.
Since implementing their strategic storytelling program, 3M has seen significant benefits across a number of different areas. In addition to increased employee engagement and collaboration, the company has experienced improved innovation and creativity, as well as better alignment between business objectives and operations. By focusing on the power of narrative to inspire and motivate their workforce, 3M has proven that strategic stories truly can revolutionize business planning.
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