In Episode 208 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how to make abstract concepts relatable and humanize data in business settings.



In Episode 208 of Anecdotally Speaking, Shawn tells a story that vividly illustrates the difference between a million and a billion.

Today’s story exemplifies how abstract topics can be simplified and made relatable, enhancing universal understanding. This approach is particularly impactful in business settings, where such techniques can humanize data, enabling employees to better grasp their organization’s key metrics and objectives.

Additionally, Mark and Shawn discuss the use of time in storytelling and how storytelling techniques can encourage active listening and foster deeper understanding.

For your story bank

Tags: Storytelling, Numbers, Communication, Corporate Storytelling

This story is sourced from the book Making Numbers Count

The story begins at 3:57

Your friend and yourself put in for a big lottery with several big prizes. The catch is whatever amount you win, you must spend $50,000 a day until the prize runs out. Your friend ends up winning the million dollar prize. Sure enough after 20 days they have spent all the prize money as per the rules. You end up winning the billon dollar prize. You follow the same rules, however, it takes you 55 years to spend your prize money.