Month: March 2025

Strategist and storytelling? This is an inseparable duo.

Some philosophers say language is about the relationship between words and things. Willard Van Orman Quine disagreed. He believed language is about knowing what to say and when to say it. (Source: The Philosophy Book)

And honestly? That’s how I feel about Brand Strategy.

It’s not just about crafting a story with beautiful visuals. It’s about knowing what story needs to be told and when. Because a great strategy isn’t just a blueprint. It’s an evolving conversation – shaped by culture, timing, and the ever-shifting consumer mind.

I hope you enjoyed learning more about the relationship a strategist and storytelling share.

💡 Here’s my question to tickle your brain:
What’s a brand that you think nailed the timing of their message? Drop it in the comments if you feel like sharing! 👇

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As a strategist, you need to ace the art of public speaking. In this post, I’d like to share a few tips on storytelling for freelance strategists.

I was recently invited to attend an incredible session by Dr. Alexander Westenberg on “The Secrets of Successful Speaking” at UNSW / NCPV — and wow, it was packed with insights. Here are some key takeaways I’d like to share that truly resonated with me:

💡 The message itself is secondary — what matters most is your ability to sell it.

🎭 Speak to emotions — people buy with feelings and justify with logic.

🔑 The trick to selling? Simply telling the truth.

⏳ A great speaker actually loses his / her audience (briefly!) — because what he / she says is so thought-provoking that people pause to process it. Pacing is key.

🎯 Focus on ONE thing — clarity beats complexity every time.

🪞 We all suffer from unconscious vanity before speaking — leading with passion helps us move past it.

🔥 Passion overcomes self-consciousness —speak with heart, and the nerves fade away.

🧠 Understand your audience’s beliefs, desires, and feelings — that’s how you truly connect.

So next time you’re about to speak — whether on stage, in a meeting, or even in a casual conversation — think less about what you’re saying and more about how you’re making people feel.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these quick tips on storytelling for freelance strategists!

#PublicSpeaking #CommunicationSkills #Storytelling #Leadership #UNSW #NCV #StrategyTips #Selling #Mentor #MentorshipMatters #TheSmilingStrategist #MiniStrategyBites