Story Knight - a global enterprise born in New York
Story Knight was conceived in business school when founder Ali Asghar was sitting through yet another boring class presentation.
To make his own presentation engaging and memorable, he wrote and performed a rap.
After studying storytelling, improv and sketch in LA, Ali Asghar moved to New York to write for TV, and newspapers while also working in corporate strategy.
He also created and hosted a talk show on stage that explored public policy issues.
This allowed him to assemble a talented roster of creatives and led to the creation of Story Knight: a communications business that brings the talents of professionals from TV writing, journalism and comedy to business comms.
Today, when millions of dollars are at stake, businesses and individuals call upon Story Knight to craft their stories, stand out from the competition, deepen relationships, and get results.
The psychology behind storytelling
From ancient cave paintings to modern-day Netflix binges, storytelling has always been an integral part of the human experience because we’re pre-wired for stories:
Neural coupling syncs the brain with a narrative which allows listeners to immerse themselves in a story.
If a character in a story is sprinting, our motor cortex lights up.
Stories release oxytocin (the bonding hormone). This heightens our emotional engagement and fosters empathy for the characters. It’s why stories inspire action.
To manage information overload, the brain filters new information.
When information is presented as a story our minds are more likely to engage and retain it.
Storytelling for Business
Business communication is boring. But it doesn’t have to be.
Dense slides packed with figures leave the audience confused. Decisions aren’t made, deals aren’t close and opportunity is lost.
People make decisions with emotion and then justify with logic.
When you make a rational case for why, it doesn’t work. But when you create an emotional case for why, it creates human connection.
But modern business communication is over-reliant on communicating value with data.
Storytelling in business is essential to build trust, create competitive advantage, encourage action, humanize a brand, explain benefits and build memories.
