Long time ago in scriptwriting course I learnt, that you do not need to worry if the subject of the story is too personal. Often we think that, this will not touch anyone as this is only my personal experience. In fact, the best movies are created by using own personal experiences – so why would we not create also story based services in a same way.
The author has a message: a real story to tell. Many times story is about something, what author has experienced himself. Personal experience is many times also a common experience. Something which gets your feelings up is most probably to touch also other people. People are different, but in the end we are also very much alike. That is something we should not forget. Great movies are success stories over and beyond the culture borders as they can present a story, which is moving people’s feelings in a level which can be recognized. It is all about empathy and feeling for the character.
Child´s shoes were found when old house was under tearing down process. Every one of us has been a child. What would be a story behind of these shoes? Pic: Runotalo
Still please do not forget that also criticality is needed. It can be, that you have just blindly fall in love to your own creation and you cannot see, that this story is only valuable to yourself. Skill of questioning is needful and appropriate feature. Do not keep your valuable story behind the scene, instead bring it in front of people and test it in a real business world. That is only possible way to see how strong the story you have created really is.
The personal touch is also related to features like; authenticity, transparency of the business and humanity. Story based service design is an effective way to increase humanity and meaning in your customer’s experience. Because of the story your company will be more open, real and easy to connect with. The story, which is designed into customer´s experience, opens values and senses which company is aiming to offer in their business. Story based service design is value based design process. Use personal stories to design services that have deep impact on your customers.
This Tarinakone StoryDesign article was written by Anne Kalliomäki and translated by Heidi Forss-Anila.