In today’s dynamic world, the fields of entrepreneurship and the art of storytelling have experienced a significant fusion. Nathalie Maura Soetopo, an alumna of SBM ITB, who was once the 2023 ITB Outstanding Student, shared her insight on how the art of speaking, persuasive communication, and the power of storytelling play a key role in entrepreneurship at Artha Sandbox 2.0 on Friday (27/10) in the SBM ITB Student Lounge. Not only entrepreneurship students, the event was also attended by product design students from the ITB Faculty of Art and Design.
According to Nathalie, the ability to tell interesting and engaging stories is an essential skill for anyone who wants to be successful in entrepreneurship. Statistics support the importance of storytelling in business. Young Leaders for Indonesia noted that content only contributed 7% of communication, while visual cues accounted for 55% and vocal delivery attributes accounted for 38%. Therefore, mastering the art of storytelling can be a breakthrough for entrepreneurs.
For Nathalie, it’s essential to understand your audience. Entrepreneurs should do a background check on their target audience to understand their weaknesses, preferences, and what attracts them. This knowledge is invaluable for crafting stories that resonate with audiences and spark connections. In her own words, Nathalie suggests that entrepreneurs need to be clear about what they want their audience to remember and understand.
Nathalie explains the structure for creating an exciting presentation. A well-constructed presentation should consist of three main parts. First, the opening (latch). The opening should attract attention, leaving a strong first impression. It should be interesting and, at times, even contrary to the audience’s expectations. Second, problems and solutions. In this section, the problems and solutions are presented clearly, convincingly and competently. The key is to maintain the audience’s interest throughout the event. Lastly, a call to action and a final note. The close should have a strong call to action (CTA), ensuring the audience is left with something to remember. This is the last chance to make a lasting impression.
Additionally, she shares additional tips, such as conveying messages, editing for understanding, and asking for input to improve the storytelling process. Nathalie emphasizes that, in the art of pitching, two-thirds of the pitch’s effectiveness goes to the person delivering it. She emphasized several factors that play an essential role, namely self-confidence, honesty, competence, and likeability.
In Nathalie’s experience, practice makes skills perfect. She advocates constant practice to improve storytelling skills. The more you practice, the more confident, competent, and authentic you will be in delivering your message.
Nathalie’s insights and practical tips can empower aspiring entrepreneurs and storytellers to communicate their ideas better and captivate their audiences. As she emphasizes, the art of storytelling is a powerful tool to open doors and create long-lasting impacts in today’s competitive business landscape.
