In the Business of Storytelling with Elaine Bennett

What's Next! with Tiffani Bova

Welcome to the What's Next! podcast with Tiffani Bova.

Elaine Bennett had a baptism by fire as a speechwriter. Less than two years after she signed on to write for the CEO of Salomon Brothers, scandal forced the executive to resign. In stepped investor Warren Buffett for whom she had always wanted to work with since she admires him as the best writer in the business world. Since working with Mr. Buffett, she continued to advise the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies, professional services firms, and leading nonprofits on their communications strategies.

Passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Elaine has been writing on the subject since it was just called “diversity,” winning a Cicero Award for the best-written speech on Diversity. She devotes a portion of her time to working pro bono with a New York City–based nonprofit that’s determined to transform itself into a role model of antiracism. She also designates a “Nonprofit of the Quarter" to receive a portion of Bennett Ink's net proceeds because giving back is important to her and she hopes to you, too.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… individuals who want to stand up confidently on stage and mesmerize their audience with a story or folks who just want to spice up their everyday one-on-one conversations.

TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… Storytelling is a skill, meaning that it requires rehearsal, scripts, practice, and research to create something truly unique and meaningful. But there is also something valuable about being in the moment, with casual banter and candid conversation. A balance exists between the scripted and the spontaneous, where you understand yourself and the subject matter enough to craft a story that will surely captivate the crowd.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Storytelling is about cultivating human connections, emphasizing shared humanity to make an audience identify with you personally before you ever even start talking about the bigger picture business idea.

Running time: 34:07

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Find Elaine online:

Official Website

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Elaine’s Personal Writings:

Creative Nonfiction, Just Because