Alumni Author: How Business Storytelling Works: Increase Your Influence and Impact – Sandeep Das, PGP 2009

Sandeep’s latest book, “How Business Storytelling Works,” is a best-seller that explores the power of storytelling in the context of business. The book provides practical tips and techniques for using storytelling to engage and persuade audiences, making it an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs, marketers, and business leaders.

Overall, Sandeep Das is an accomplished author with a diverse range of books that showcase his creativity and expertise across different genres. His latest book is a testament to his ability to provide practical advice and insights for readers seeking to succeed in the competitive world of business.

We had the pleasure to speak to Sandeep, an accomplished author and columnist, to discuss his latest book and gain insight into his writing journey.

What inspired you to write this book on Business Storytelling?

The ‘aha’ moment for me was the incredible response that I was getting to the storytelling workshops I was conducting at leading organisations and business schools. It was at this point that I decide to crystallise these thoughts and learnings and craft it into a book.

Moreover, storytelling is such a fantastic topic. A big part of my research was delving into academic papers about the human brain, watching hordes of movies to understand visual storytelling and reading about human evolution and distilling it down into simple storytelling principles which can be applied across a gamut of careers.

What kind of readership will benefit most from this book?

‘How Business Storytelling Works’ is likely to benefit a vast audience of people. The book has dedicated sections on how entrepreneurs, marketers, strategy consultants and technology professionals can leverage storytelling in their daily lives to enhance their impact. It also has a section on how you can successfully build an influence-oriented empire on social media.

The book will appeal to a wide spectrum of professions, in India and outside. There are more than 50 illustrations and over 500 examples across the globe to help bring storytelling to life.

What are some of the advantages that business people can gain by implementing the concepts discussed in your book?

Storytelling is the #1 reason the human species has survived till date and it is the #1 skill set we will need to succeed in our careers. Needless to say, readers can leverage the principles in the book to increase their influence and impact at their place of work. Not just in their professional lives but also in their personal lives.

What are some common mistakes that people make when trying to communicate, and how can they avoid them?

There are many mistakes people make in communication and the book touches upon them in a holistic way. For instance, we give excessive importance to numbers while ignoring elements around semiotics, visuals and anecdotes. Good storytelling is not about making pretty slides or using fancy visuals. It is about understanding the nuances of the human brain, cultural contexts, the person on the other side and deploying a communication medium to maximise impact. Easier said than done to be honest.

How can communication be used to influence and persuade stakeholders in a business environment?

You should read ‘How Business Storytelling Works’ for that. There are 250 pages in the book that are trying to answer this exact question. 🙂

How can someone who is new in the business develop their skills in this area?

I have a dedicated chapter on how you can become a better storyteller from a process point of view. Storytelling, like any creative pursuit, is a process. You need to practice it regularly. You need to read and watch the right tools and practice it consistently. The book has an elaborate set of tools to practice over.

As an author who has written across different genre, what have you enjoyed writing more and why?

I have enjoyed writing business books the most. Probably due to natural comfort because of my formal education and my corporate career. It is easier to write business books as you can churn it out faster and you have greater credibility in getting it published and marketing it. It took me nearly 3 years to write my first popular fiction book versus 1 year to write, ’How Business Storytelling Works’.

What are you writing about next?

To be honest, nothing at this point in time. I am going to think of my fifth book from early next year. I have a few thoughts but I also want to explore writing for the film medium next.

What is it about being an author that you cherish the most?

The entire process of writing, although frustrating, contributes to your growth as a human being. Our regular professional careers, while important, only give you that much joy in life. Writing as a profession truly nourishes your soul. I am quite sure that when I decide to hang up my boots, I will be most proud of the books I have written rather than the designations I hold or the money I have amassed in life.

You should consider writing and publishing a book, in case you haven’t till now. It is never too late to do it.