Before I tell you exactly how to write success stories, I want to let you know about a special I'm having on my books right now. I've got some inventory I want to get rid of. Right now, you can buy both of my books for $25 (includes shipping). Mail your check to alinea and include your shipping information to 703 E. Lexington Blvd., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217.
Now on to my posting about success stories.
Success Stories -
A Critical Part of Your Case
Statement
Your organizational story
articulates the essence of who you are – or your special sauce (that’s a
technical term of mine). The purpose of
sharing your story is to inspire people to want to help. And the gathering place for your amazing
story is what I call a professional case statement, described on no more than
one sheet of paper using both sides.
I dedicated a series of
posts a couple years ago to helping you develop a professional case statement for your organization. Today, I’m going to talk about one of the
most important sections of your case statement – success stories. Success stories bring your mission to life
and help you make an emotional connection with someone.
I may have mentioned that
I’m transitioning my business from consulting to coaching and teaching. I have been having fun documenting the
process by which I have developed my clients’ success stories, as well as figuring
out how best to pass that knowledge along to my coaching clients.
I am so excited right now to
be working with the UW Milwaukee Women’s Resource Center as they celebrate 20
years of empowering thousands of female students PLUS setting course for the
future. Consistent with their
collaborative approach, about 10 student staff members will be assisting with
developing the Center’s case statement, specifically developing success
stories.
As I guide the UW Milwaukee
Women’s Resource Center, I thought I would pass along the coaching I’m
providing them to all of you.
But first, click here to check
out this amazing resource for students on our beautiful UW Milwaukee
campus.
The Formula for a Successful
Success Story
There actually is a formula
for developing a success story in a way that will really bring your
organization’s story to life =
What was life like before YOU +
What happened during the experience with YOU +
How is the future different because of YOU
Formula Part #1 –
What was
life like before your organization?
People are inspired by
transformation or how the world changes because of your mission, not by the
activities you do day to day.
Implementing your mission is hard work and critical, but when you are
trying to engage community members in your work, bringing to life the impact of
your mission is what will get their attention and hopefully their support.
Think of a person or a
family that experienced great transformation because of their experience with
your organization or school. Begin by
describing what their life was like before they came to your organization. What were they struggling with? What were their challenges? Here are a couple examples:
Rakim
had attended another Christian school before coming to
Eastbrook Academy in 5th grade, but he says, “We didn’t have quality
teachers, classes were big, and you couldn’t get the attention
Eastbrook Academy in 5th grade, but he says, “We didn’t have quality
teachers, classes were big, and you couldn’t get the attention
you needed from teachers. I
was struggling in math.”
“After my stepmother had a stroke, my father became her main
caretaker.
This was a lot for him, and I tried to look for services to help him,
but it was too expensive. Because I live in a different state, it is not
possible for me to be there all the time.
My father was very active, as a golfer, fisherman, and artist, and exercised
every day. He led a very full life but
had to give up so much freedom to care for her 24/7.”
"Back when my wife Ericka and I
had our first baby, we craved time as a couple and with other adults.
We happened to bid on a set of Next Act Theatre tickets
and turned it into one of our first post-baby date nights."
We happened to bid on a set of Next Act Theatre tickets
and turned it into one of our first post-baby date nights."
Formula Part #2 –
What happened during the experience with you?
What happened during the experience with you?
This is where you talk about
exactly what you did that helped someone overcome their challenges and totally
change their mindset about what’s possible.
What was it about what you did and how you did it that made a difference
in this person’s life? The above
examples are continued here:
From Eastbrook Academy:
At Eastbrook Academy, Rakim shares, “The teachers were much better,
you could ask them anything, they respected students, and expectations were higher.
I think I got nicer when I came to EBA.” His GPA increased every year,
and as he now goes off to college, he proudly asserts, “I feel prepared."
you could ask them anything, they respected students, and expectations were higher.
I think I got nicer when I came to EBA.” His GPA increased every year,
and as he now goes off to college, he proudly asserts, “I feel prepared."
From Interfaith Older Adults
– Neighborhood Outreach Program
"Interfaith was a godsend. Now, once a week a volunteer comes
to the house and gives my father a day off. Their volunteer is wonderful.
She is really amazing. She is 84 years old, but my Dad was amazed that
she had gotten up early to exercise, make them banana bread before she arrived.
She is very generous, has served in the Peace Corp’s,
and is just a real sweetheart."
to the house and gives my father a day off. Their volunteer is wonderful.
She is really amazing. She is 84 years old, but my Dad was amazed that
she had gotten up early to exercise, make them banana bread before she arrived.
She is very generous, has served in the Peace Corp’s,
and is just a real sweetheart."
From Next Act Theatre:
"We not only loved the show, but by buying a season subscription
we automatically put four more date nights on the calendar.
As busy parents, it was not only easy, it was affordable – today,
it’s just $100 per person for FOUR fabulous productions – that’s just $25 a show.
It wasn’t long before our friends, who were also starting families, joined us."
we automatically put four more date nights on the calendar.
As busy parents, it was not only easy, it was affordable – today,
it’s just $100 per person for FOUR fabulous productions – that’s just $25 a show.
It wasn’t long before our friends, who were also starting families, joined us."
Formula Part #3 –
What does the future look like now?
Transformation is about a
new way of thinking about things that leads to new and better results. This transformation occurs in the assumptions
we make our ourselves, others and the world.
For example, a child’s assumptions about themselves might include not
feeling good enough. Their assumption
about the world could be that they are a victim and don’t have control over
their circumstances. An older adult
could hold an assumption about other people that they don’t care. A real success story is about changing these
assumptions. I continue the above
examples:
From Eastbrook Academy:
"I
knew I would go but I thought it would be community college.
Then I started getting accepted to top of the line schools,
and I got a $22,000 scholarship from St. Norbert’s!”
Starting his own business is a big goal of Rakim's.
Then I started getting accepted to top of the line schools,
and I got a $22,000 scholarship from St. Norbert’s!”
Starting his own business is a big goal of Rakim's.
From Interfaith Older
Adults – Neighborhood Outreach Program
As always, let me know how
you use my coaching to make a difference in your own organization.
Deb
Deb
