What methods can you use to ensure your narrative has a satisfying conclusion?

Crafting a compelling narrative is crucial in business strategy, as it can captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. To ensure your narrative ends on a high note, it's important to employ specific methods that resonate with your audience and align with your strategic goals. A satisfying conclusion can make the difference between a memorable story and one that fades from memory, so let's explore some techniques to make your narrative stick.

1 Set Expectations

When telling a story in a business context, it's vital to set expectations early on. Your audience should have a clear understanding of the journey they're about to embark on. This involves outlining the stakes and the potential resolutions. By doing so, you provide a roadmap that leads to a fulfilling conclusion. When the narrative delivers on the promises made at the beginning, your audience feels a sense of completion and satisfaction. Think of it as a contract between you and your listeners; you've set the terms, and now you must fulfill them.

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Michel Garcia-Miranda, BCC, MBA Candidate

Healthcare | Leader and Innovator | Operations Manager | Spiritual Care Content Creator
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For example, in a recent project, we were introducing a new spiritual care initiative. At the kickoff meeting, I clearly outlined the objectives, potential challenges, and expected outcomes. This transparency set the stage for the entire team, ensuring everyone knew what to expect. As the project progressed, we regularly revisited these points, addressing any deviations and reinforcing our commitment to the initial goals. When we successfully launched the initiative, the team felt a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing we had delivered on our promises. This experience underscored the power of setting clear expectations and following through, a lesson I carry into every strategic endeavor.

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2 Build Momentum

As your narrative unfolds, building momentum is key to keeping your audience engaged. This can be achieved through escalating challenges or revealing new insights that drive the story forward. Your goal is to create an upward trajectory that makes the conclusion feel earned. The climax of your narrative should be the most intense point, providing a payoff for the tension you've been building. This doesn't mean every story needs a dramatic twist; rather, it should culminate in a way that feels like a natural and significant outcome of the events.

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Michel Garcia-Miranda, BCC, MBA Candidate

Healthcare | Leader and Innovator | Operations Manager | Spiritual Care Content Creator
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For instance, I led a project to improve our spiritual care services. Initially, we faced resistance from staff who were skeptical about the changes. To build momentum, I presented small, successful case studies from other departments, highlighting the positive impact of similar initiatives. As the narrative unfolded, we encountered challenges that required innovative solutions, each one revealing new insights and driving the project forward.

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3 Emotional Resonance

For a conclusion to be truly satisfying, it must resonate emotionally with your audience. This means connecting the outcome of your narrative to the values, desires, or challenges that your audience cares about. Whether it's inspiration, relief, or vindication, the emotional payoff should align with what's been promised throughout the story. When your audience feels that their emotional investment has been rewarded, they're more likely to remember and value the narrative.

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Michel Garcia-Miranda, BCC, MBA Candidate

Healthcare | Leader and Innovator | Operations Manager | Spiritual Care Content Creator
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For example, I led an initiative to enhance our patient support services. From the start, I communicated that our goal was not just to improve efficiency, but to truly touch the lives of our patients and staff. Throughout the project, we shared stories of individual struggles and triumphs, highlighting the human element of our work.

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Jonathan Stanley

CMO | Global Growth Strategist | Founder to Exit Architect | Award-Winning Author & Speaker | Driving High-Impact Results for CEOs
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When you identify your customers’ problems, immerse yourself in their stories. Your empathy shows that you genuinely understand your customers and their struggles. As you tackle various problems, consider the drill bit example. Seth Godin discusses this in his book This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See, where he elaborates on a quote from Theodore Levitt, a well-known marketing professor from Harvard who said: “Sell the hole, not the drill.” Godin expands on this by saying, “No one wants a hole. What people want is the shelf that will go on the wall once they drill the hole... they want to feel safe and respected.” Consider the emotional payoff as the problems you solve and the emotions your customers seek to resolve.

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4 Tie Loose Ends

An effective conclusion ties up loose ends, answering any lingering questions that might distract from the satisfaction of the final moment. This doesn't mean every detail must be explained, but key elements of the narrative should come to a clear resolution. This creates a sense of completeness that reinforces the impact of your story. By ensuring that all significant plot points are addressed, you help your audience leave the narrative without confusion or dissatisfaction.

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5 Reflective Insight

Providing reflective insight as part of your conclusion can greatly enhance its impact. This involves stepping back and considering the broader implications or lessons learned from the narrative. In a business strategy context, this could mean highlighting how the story reflects larger trends or lessons that can be applied in other situations. By offering this perspective, you give your audience a takeaway that extends beyond the immediate story, adding depth and value to their experience.

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6 Call to Action

Finally, a satisfying conclusion often includes a call to action (CTA). This is particularly important in business narratives where you want to inspire your audience to take a specific step or embrace a new mindset. Your CTA should be clear, compelling, and directly related to the journey your audience has just experienced. By prompting your audience to act, you extend the life of your narrative beyond its telling, making it a catalyst for change or reinforcement of key business strategies.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What methods can you use to ensure your narrative has a satisfying conclusion?

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1 Set Expectations

2 Build Momentum

3 Emotional Resonance

4 Tie Loose Ends

5 Reflective Insight

6 Call to Action

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Strategy

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What methods can you use to ensure your narrative has a satisfying conclusion?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set Expectations

2 Build Momentum

3 Emotional Resonance

4 Tie Loose Ends

5 Reflective Insight

6 Call to Action

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Strategy

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