Create Your Authentic Story

CareerCast - Life-long Career Development

Author Kelly D Parker

How do you create an authentic story that establishes your credibility, talents, and fit? While there is no easy answer, Kelly Parker, marketing professional trained at global enterprises like Sherwin-Williams and American Greetings, TEDx speaker, and host of “Business Storytelling Made Easy” Podcast, believes that a simple, well-told story can help you pivot your career, receive a promotion, and land funding for you startup. Yet many people create stories that just do not work. In this CareerCast, Kelly shares how to understand your talents, skills, and areas of positive differentiation, elevate your message to reach your audience, and do so with honesty, integrity, and sincerity.

Aired August 18, 2023

Kelly D. Parker empowers leaders to turn followers into devoted fans with the power of storytelling. Her consulting firm teaches marketing and sales teams how to create memorable messages that effectively communicate the unique value of their products and company.

A marketing professional trained at global enterprises such as Sherwin-Williams and American Greetings, Kelly believes that a simple, well-told story can raise profits, reshape culture, and revive a brand’s reputation.

A TEDx speaker and sought after keynote speaker for more than 15 years, Kelly’s presentations and trainings mix motivation with instruction and offer streamlined systems and frameworks that equip attendees to quickly apply the techniques they learn.

Kelly hosts the “Business Storytelling Made Easy” Podcast, where she interviews renowned experts and industry leaders and teaches listeners the easy way to create and convey unforgettable stories.

Story Like You Mean It: How to Build and Use Your Personal Narrative to Illustrate Who You Really Are by Dr. Dennis Rebelo (2021)

The Career Stories Method: 11 Steps to Find Your Ideal Career—and Discover Your Awesome Self in the Process by Kerri Twigg (2021)

Let the Story Do the Work: The Art of Storytelling for Business Success by Esther Choy (2017)

Communicate to Influence: How to Inspire Your Audience to Action Hardcover by Ben Decker and Kelly Decker (2015)

Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic (2015)

Brief: Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less by Joseph McCormack (2014)

StoryBranding: Creating Standout Brands Through the Power of Story by Jim Signorelli (2012)

Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade, and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Story by Peter Guber (2011)

You Are a Brand!: How Smart People Brand Themselves for Business Success by Catherine Kaputa (2010)

Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling that Propels Careers by Katharine Hansen (2009)

The Power of Story: Change Your Story, Change Your Destiny in Business and in Life by Jim Loehr (2008)

The Elements of Persuasion: Use Storytelling to Pitch Better, Sell Faster & Win More Business by Richard Maxwell and Robert Dickman (2007)

Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins: How to Use Your Own Stories to Communicate with Power and Impact by Annette Simmons (2007)

The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling by Annette Simmons and Doug Lipman (2006)

Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story by Jerry Weissman (2006)

What’s Your Story?: Using Stories to Ignite Performance and Be More Successful by Craig Wortmann (2006)

Around The Corporate Campfire: How Great Leaders Use Stories To Inspire Success by Evelyn Clark (2004)

Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative by Stephen Denning (2005)

Squirrel Inc.: A Fable of Leadership through Storytellingby Stephen Denning (2004)

Kelly Parker on Ted Talk stage

Watch Kelly Parker's TEDx talk, Business Storytelling Made Easy.

Watch the Video