Nike, Medtronic, K/P Execs to Speak on Corporate Storytelling July 6 at National Storytelling Conference

Nikes chief storyteller and executives from Medtronic and K/P Corporation will speak July 6 on the power of storytelling as a management tool. A Seattle-area author will moderate the discussion, based on her new book that features a number of top U.S. companies where executives are leading the way in the burgeoning practice of corporate storytelling. The panel discussion is part of the annual National Storytelling Conference, hosted this year at Western Washington University in Bellingham.

Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) June 28, 2004 -- NIKES CHIEF STORYTELLER, MEDTRONIC AND K/P EXECSTO SPEAK AT NATIONAL STORYTELLING CONFERENCE.
Seattle-area Author to Moderate Panel Discussion July 6 in Bellingham

Nikes chief storyteller and executives from Medtronic and K/P Corporation will speak here July 6 on the power of storytelling as a management tool. A Seattle-area author will moderate the discussion, based on her new book that features a number of top U.S. companies where executives are leading the way in the burgeoning practice of corporate storytelling. The panel discussion is part of the annual National Storytelling Conference, hosted this year at Western Washington University.

Nelson Farris of Nike, Dick Ploetz, vice president of human resources for Medtronic, and Rich Barbee, president and CEO of K/P Corp., will share success stories and explain the various ways their companies use storytelling as a management tool. They also will take questions from the audience. The program is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Wilson Libraries Presentation Room and is open to the public. Admission is $20.

Evelyn Clark, a Kirkland-based speaker, consultant and author, will moderate the panel discussion, centered on the practices reported in her new book, Around the Corporate Campfire: How Great Leaders Use Stories To Inspire Success.

In the book Clark relates inside" stories of a number of companies such as FedEx, The Container Store and REI as well as Nike, Medtronic and K/P Corp. In these companies, the CEOs share corporate legends and everyday workplace stories with employees and other stakeholders to make the vision come alive and to illustrate how people can succeed," Clark says.

Great leaders know that workers need more than lofty mission statements and industry buzzwords to understand and appreciate what their organization stands for and whats expected of them. Workers need to hear about the companys people, its values and its history. Because stories touch peoples hearts at a personal level, they inspire a level of commitment, teamwork, and customer service that most leaders can only hope for."

As Costco Wholesale cofounder, President and CEO Jim Sinegal says, All you can do is relate the successful experiences youve had within the company. What else have we got besides stories? Thats what really hits home with people; its what brings meaning to the work we do."

Medtronic Chairman and CEO Art Collins agrees. Head of the worlds leading medical technology company, Collins says, When I speak to employee groups-small or large-I relate concepts through personal experience, which bring them to life. Strangers frequently come up to me to relate their gratitude for our products, and I share those stories with employees because the real strength of Medtronic is not a few people at the top. Its all 30,000 employees and their total commitment to the mission."

Around the Corporate Campfire: How Great Leaders Use Stories To Inspire Success is $19.95. To place an order, go to www.corpstory.com.

Note: Two programs at the National Storytelling Conference in Bellingham are based on Clarks book.
·Tuesday, July 6th, 7-9 p.m. -- The author will moderate a panel discussion with executives from Nike, Medtronic and K/P Corporation.
·Friday, July 9th, 10-11:30 a.m. -- Clark will deliver a presentation on Passing the Torch: How Great Leaders Impart Mission, Vision and Values through Storytelling."

All Conference events are open to the public. For more information or to register, go to www.storynet.org.

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