ALI Conferences ran a survey asking internal communicators what area of storytelling they would like more training on. The results are the following to be covered during this virtual event:
Best storytelling format – 48%
Avoiding storytelling overload – 23%
Communicating sincerely – 18%
Multi-brand synchronization – 11%
Aside from these aspects, what else makes a great storyteller? A few commonalities are:
Simplicity. The best stories are easy and simple to remember. If your audience has to spend precious time interpreting everything, their attention can be easily lost.
Emotionality. Some of the most inspirational and impactful stories offer an emotion to really connect with the audience.
Honesty. An honest story has a bigger impact than a story of fiction. If the storytellerbelieveswhat they are saying, it shows!
What You Will Learn
Transform your internal communications through the power of storytelling & writing. Captivate your employees through creative communications that inform and engage.
Gain advice from your peers, see strategies that work, and hear solutions to your most pressing challenges, including how to:
Usethe emotional connection that comes through storytelling to build authentic connections within your workforce
Driveemployees to look at and engage with your content
Remove jargon from your writing to engage all your audiences
Usestories to leave individuals with something to remember and value
Incorporatevisuals wherever possible to communicate complex information and data
Masterthe use of headlines, leads and quotes
Identifythe best channel to use to share your story
Encourageemployees to tell and share their own stories
Use “six-word stories” to inspire, engage, and motivate your workforce
Recruitemployees to create content and tell their own stories
Recycle and reuse content across a variety of channels
and more!
Benefits Of Attending This ALI Virtual Conference
Access to a tactical presentation with real examples and proven strategies
Networking list for attendees to continue the conversation after the Virtual Conference
Interactive, hands-on breakout sessions allowing you to work with your communication peers
Certificate of attendance for CEU’s
Opportunity to meet your peers face-to-face while remaining safe
Recording of the Virtual Conference after the event ends
A fraction of the cost of an ALI in-person workshop with the same high-quality content
Content from leading consultants delivered straight to your home/office
Guaranteed extensive, how-to instruction that you can use immediately
Opportunity to have your most pressing issues on the topic answered in real-time
This isn’t a passive experience! You will be encouraged to weigh in with poll questions, engage via chat throughout the entire event, and turn your camera on during group breakout sessions.
Leave with a thorough understanding of the competencies covered and how they apply or can be applied in your work context.
Who Should Attend
This Virtual Conference has been researched and designed for Directors, Managers, Vice Presidents, Specialists, Officers, Leaders and Consultants involved in:
Internal Communications
Employee Engagement
Brand Communication
Strategic Communications
SharePoint and Microsoft Teams Project Leaders
Employee Communications
Intranet Communications
Digital Communications
Global Communications
Organizational Development
Power Users and Administrators
Training & Development
Field Operations
Employee Relations
Public Relations
Human Resources
Strategic Planning
What People are Saying
“All speakers were excellent. Each presentation was packed with great ideas and actionable ways to make an impact through internal communications. I really liked how conversational and relatable the presentations were. Thanks for a great event!”
Virtual Conference Attendee
“Excellent speakers and content. Very engaging. I have been to many conferences and this has definitely become one of the more memorable ones by merit of facilitation, energy, and content. Thank you very much! I’m excited to share my learnings with my broader team.”
Virtual Conference Attendee
“I liked hearing a broad spectrum of perspectives and insights.”
Virtual Conference Attendee
Learn more about ALI Conferences
Learn more about our services, conferences, trainings, and how you can connect with us.
Phoebe Dey, VP, Communications & Marketing | Alberta Cancer Foundation
11:05 am - 11:40 am
Deep Dive Workshop & Speed Networking| Hardwired for Empathy: Using Stories to Cultivate Emotion & Action
Conference Chair: Kevin Finke, Founder and Chief Experience Officer | Experience Willow
Stories make great communication, change and advocacy tools. In this deep-dive workshop, Kevin explores how stories serve important functions in everyday human life, a reality that internal communicators can harness as an advantage and competitive edge. From the role of stories in communication to the human brain’s response to compelling narrative, this workshop will illuminate the “why” and "how" behind humanity's love for stories.
11:40 am - 12:00 pm
Build A Sense Of Mystery: The Secrets of Suspenseful Storytelling
Gerard Guerin, Employee Communication and Recognition Specialist | Community Coffee
Gather Around: Tips to Composing a Memorable & Suspenseful Story
Since the beginning of time, storytelling has been the means by which humans have taught lessons, shared ideas, and preserved the uniqueness of culture.
In the workplace, storytelling remains vital to accomplishing these very same concepts. However, creating content that employees care to read remains a constant challenge for IC professionals at most organizations. Here are some useful tips to get more eyes, more engagement, and more enthusiasm around internal communications in your organization.
Bringing an acceptable amount of mystery to storytelling
Getting your message (story) to the masses
12:00 pm - 12:25 pm
Refresh & Recharge
12:25 pm - 12:45 pm
Telling Your Story from the Inside Out
Lorraine Ranalli, Communications Consultant
For more than a decade, the line between external and internal communication has become
increasingly narrow. Your organization’s culture is no longer an internal affair, it’s part of your
branding and your most valuable asset, your people, have an enormous influence on the
perception of your brand. In this session you will gain a better understanding of:
• The benefits of empowering employee influencers
• The value of leveraging PR from within your organization
• How to identify stories that have potential to go viral
12:45 pm - 1:05 pm
Building your Internal Communications Playbook, One Story at a Time
Ananya Mani, Internal Communications Lead | Ingram Micro
Storytelling lies at the core of a successful Internal Communications Strategy. In today’s world of information overload, it is important to get creative to deliver messages effectively.
During this session, you’ll learn:
Things to keep in mind when building an Internal Communications Strategy for your organization
How to leverage the different channels of communication
How to get creative with communication content & design
1:05 pm - 1:30 pm
Pass Employees The Mic: Reinforcing Company Values Through Storytelling
Alyssa Grube, Senior Communications Specialist | SAS
At SAS, our culture has always been an integral part of who we are as a company, connecting us to the curious nature that gave us our start and the spirit of innovation that moves us forward. Our people spend their day-to-day solving some of the world’s toughest problems, fueled by an unwavering commitment to our values and desire to make a difference.
To highlight this curiosity and reinforce our company values, we passed our employees the mic to creatively tell (and re-tell) their stories from around the globe.
In this session, you will:
Learn how to use authentic employee storytelling to unite employees aroundyourcompanyvalues.
Hear tips foruncovering employee stories and techniques for developing compelling content.
Explore content marketing strategies to increase reach and engagement.
1:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Refresh & Recharge
1:50 pm - 2:10 pm
Harnessing Storytelling to Give Your Town Halls a Longer Tail
Thomas Lawler, Senior Content Creator | Ascension
In our new norm, it’s never been more important to truly connect with your employees in the rare opportunities when you assemble them all together—especially when you’re doing it virtually. If you’re not already using digital storytelling in your all-company and Town Hall meetings, you’re missing out on a prime opportunity to maximize the long-term impact of these meetings to inform and inspire your teams.
During this session, you’ll learn:
How to harness the power of storytelling to give your meetings not just a powerful opening, but an inspirational finish that will last long after your meeting.
Tips for aligning your storytelling with your business mission and key priorities.
How to stoke employee passion long after your Town Hall.
2:10 pm - 2:30 pm
Start With Your Purpose
Mireille Farkouh (she/her), Communications Manager | Alberta Cancer Foundations
In this session your will learn:
Why your purpose should guide how you communicate.
How the Alberta Cancer Foundation uses its purpose to inspire its team members to do their work, and its community!
2:30 pm - 2:55 pm
Panel Discussion: Reasons To Take A Storytelling Approach To Your Internal Communications
Jenny Fasolino, VP Internal Communications | Blue Yonder
Matthew Papuchis, Director, Internal Communications | Inova Health System
This virtual session is designed for internal communications professionals who are responsible for writing effective messages and encouraging storytelling across departments, disciplines and channels in order to inspire knowledge sharing. The panel will address:
What are the most critical elements of storytelling in internal comms?
What role do villains play in internal comms storytelling?
What is the best storytelling format for internal comms?
How can internal communicators avoid information overload when storytelling?
How do you synchronize storytelling within organizations that have multiple brands?
How do you communicate sincerely in environments of change or negativity?
How do you create a conversational voice when the company you work for may be strict about having professional voice and tone?
How can you incorporate storytelling in face-to-face communications?
2:55 pm - 3:00 pm
Closing
Phoebe Dey, VP, Communications & Marketing | Alberta Cancer Foundation
Day 2 - 09/29/2021
11:00 am - 11:35 am
Welcome & Speed Networking
Phoebe Dey, VP, Communications & Marketing | Alberta Cancer Foundation
We’ll kick off the event by “meeting” and connecting with your peers from across the nation. You'll have this opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions with your peers and share common experiences as we all navigate dramatic change.
11:35 am - 12:00 pm
Strategic Storytelling: Focus Your Intent
Jessica Shock, Corporate Communications Writer | The Home Depot
From 30,000-year-old cave drawings to 7-second vines, there's no denying that we are natural-born storytellers. But with a growing demand to tell every company announcement, accomplishment, and initiative as a "story," how can you keep your team from feeling overwhelmed?
In this session, you'll learn:
Simple and efficient ways to divide and conquer content creation
Key differences your team should consider when talking to internal and external audiences
How to avoid burnout with your content creators and manage other team's expectations
12:00 pm - 12:25 pm
Making it Stick: Creating Compelling Content that Inspires, Educates and Motivates
Jennifer Weston Lee, Internal Communications Managing Editor | U-Haul International, Inc.
Policies and procedures don’t have to be boring. Breathe life into your content by featuring your best resource: people! In the time it would take you to make a grilled cheese sandwich, you’ll gain insights into:
How to source story ideas that spotlight success within your organization.
Using thematic tools to make content entertaining and memorable.
Elevating team members as subject matter experts.
12:25 pm - 12:55 pm
Refresh & Recharge
12:55 pm - 1:40 pm
Deep Dive Workshop - Respect Your Readers: Lose the Jargon and 'Write Tight' for Busy People
Steve Crescenzo, CEO | Crescenzo Communications
People today have very limited attention spans. That’s why it’s critical to “write tight” and structure information for the online reader, who may even be reading it on their phones.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
Respect your readers, “write tight”—and make every word count
Write for the Modern Web: Mastering the 5-50-5-50 rule
Layer your online information so readers can decide how much time they want to spend with your content
Do feature stories online, when nobody has time to read anymore
Craft the perfect news headline so even if the readers only skim the headline, they still get the most important news
Boil down hundreds and hundreds of words into a single, solid summary
Edit yourself and make sure your copy is as tight as can be
1:40 pm - 2:00 pm
How To Use Visual Storytelling To Engage Your Audience
Stanley Leary, Storyteller & Brand Builder
Stories are a primal form of communication. The primary function of stories is social connection. Stories are how we think. Stories talk in images, engaging our right brain and triggering our imagination.
Why starting with your audience is so important, rather than your message?
What is the difference between window dressing images and storytelling images?
What is the call to action?
You will learn why this approach will have you learning more about your organization and becoming a better storyteller.
2:00 pm - 2:25 pm
Finding Stories Worth Telling
Cliff Johnson, Vice President, Internal Communications and Knowledge Management | Teach for America
Before you can share compelling and authentic stories with your team, you have figure out what voices are missing, hear what those people have to say, and then help them share their stories in a way that feels authentic for them. Basically story telling starts with story listening. When Teach For America assessed their internal communications, they realized that the voices missing were of the students impacted by staff members' work every day.
This case study will take a look at what TFA's Staff Communications team tried and what they learned, offering tips for:
Identifying what voices and stories might be missing from your internal communications work
Crafting a storytelling approach that helps new storytellers find their voice
Picking a storytelling format that feels authentic, both for the storyteller and the audience
2:25 pm - 2:55 pm
Panel: Best writing tips and tactics
Jason Brennan, Director, Corporate Communications | Asbury Communities
Tiffin Jernstedt, Chief Communications Officer | Neiman Marcus Group
Cody Loveland, Founder & Owner | CBL Leadership Group
Hear from top communications professionals who can address your greatest challenges to help you write better content, craft engaging stories, and reach broader audiences.
2:55 pm - 3:00 pm
Wrap Up & Thank You
Phoebe Dey, VP, Communications & Marketing | Alberta Cancer Foundation
As a group, you will share your 'golden nuggets' and summarize tips on what to do when you return to your office.
Speakers
Jennifer Weston Lee Internal Communications Managing Editor | U-Haul International, Inc.
Jenny Fasolino VP Internal Communications | Blue Yonder
Jessica Shock Corporate Communications Writer | The Home Depot
Lorraine Ranalli Communications Consultant
Matthew Papuchis Director, Internal Communications | Inova Health System
Mireille Farkouh (she/her) Communications Manager | Alberta Cancer Foundations
Phoebe Dey VP, Communications & Marketing | Alberta Cancer Foundation
Stanley Leary Storyteller & Brand Builder
Tiffin Jernstedt Chief Communications Officer | Neiman Marcus Group
Ananya Mani Internal Communications Lead | Ingram Micro
Jason Brennan Director, Corporate Communications | Asbury Communities
Alyssa Grube Senior Communications Specialist | SAS
Cody Loveland Founder & Owner | CBL Leadership Group
Gerard Guerin Employee Communication and Recognition Specialist | Community Coffee
Caitlin Anderson Sr. Internal Communications Manager | Autodesk
Thomas Lawler Senior Content Creator | Ascension
Cliff Johnson Vice President, Internal Communications and Knowledge Management | Teach for America
Steve Crescenzo CEO | Crescenzo Communications
What People are Saying
“All speakers were excellent. Each presentation was packed with great ideas and actionable ways to make an impact through internal communications. I really liked how conversational and relatable the presentations were. Thanks for a great event!”
Virtual Conference Attendee
“Excellent speakers and content. Very engaging. I have been to many conferences and this has definitely become one of the more memorable ones by merit of facilitation, energy, and content. Thank you very much! I’m excited to share my learnings with my broader team.”
Virtual Conference Attendee
“I liked hearing a broad spectrum of perspectives and insights.”
This is your chance to attend this top-rated Internal Communications conference from the safety and convenience of your desk.
This virtual event will still provide the high-quality content, leading speakers, and interactive breakout sessions ALI Conferences deliver in person.
ALI virtual events will be delivered via Zoom meetings. You will receive a Zoom meeting link immediately after registering, directly from Zoom, as well as a registration confirmation from us.
The ALI Community!
"It was a great platform to share virtual best practices and to hear all the wonderful ideas in a casual online environment."-Employee Engagement Specialist Virtual Conference Attendee
"Love that we get EVERYTHING...video, chat, presentations, contact list. That never happens at other events!"-Virtual Conference Attendee
"This was my first ALI Conference today and I loved it. Thank you for hosting! Hope to attend more in the future!"- Communications Specialist Virtual Conference Attendee
Alumni Rate: Past ALI conference attendees may use Promo Code "ALUM" to receive $150 off. Contact us if you have questions.
Team Discounts: Attend this training with your colleagues. Contact us for promotion codes.
Team of 2 save $100 each, Team of 3 save $125 each, Team of 4 save $150 each
Non Profit / Government Discount: Contact us to receive your promo code for $150 off.
Testimonials
"You all really pulled together an impressive group of folks. I loved speaking with the Salesforce and Amazon communication teams. I always feel that I take more than I give at these meetings, thank you for making it time well spent." - Vice President, Organizational Communications, American Cancer Society
"This is the conference where innovators of our industry will convene & shape the blueprint for the modern communications function in the age of digital. This is the conference for you if you dare to challenge the status quo." - Senior Vice President, Corporate & Digital Communications Group, Mastercard
"I loved the conference! I think the line-up was terrific and representative of all sizes of businesses which I think makes it useful for everyone and helps broaden the talking points & open up different scenarios on the overarching topic." - Manager, Corporate Communications, Scripps Network Interactive
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