Stories Matter for Effecting Transformation

Jan 15

Written By Jothy Rosenberg

JANUARY 15, 2025 | 00:34 | Episode 53

Stories Matter for Crafting Narratives to Effect Transformation

ABOUT MY GUEST

Lior Arussy

Lior Arussy is one of the world’s leading authorities on customer experience, transformation and change, and founder of transformation firm Strativity Group. Arussy helped some of the world’s leading brands write their next chapter in their story through transformative process. Arussy’s clients include Mercedes-Benz, Delta Airlines, Royal Caribbean Cruises, BMW, Cadillac, Novo Nordisk, MasterCard, The Met, Thomson Reuters, HSBC, E.ON, FedEx, SAP, and Johnson & Johnson, among others,

Recipient of several awards, Arussy is the author of ten books including Dare To Author! and Next is Now: 5 Steps for Embracing Change – Building a Business that Thrives into the Future. Arussy has also written over 400 articles for publications around the world.

Intro

Stories are the driving force behind change and transformation, as emphasized by our guest, Lior Arussy, a leading authority in customer experience and transformation. In a captivating discussion with host Jothy Rosenberg, Lior shares his insights on how storytelling can mobilize people in ways that mere facts and figures cannot. He reflects on his journey from Israel to the United States, highlighting the grit and determination cultivated in a challenging environment. Lior also discusses his experience founding Strativity Group and his current ventures, including the startup Impact CX, which focuses on change management. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding customer pain points and the necessity of crafting compelling narratives that drive urgency and action in the face of resistance to change.

Story

Lior Arussy, a leading authority on customer experience and transformation, emphasizes the power of storytelling in driving change and mobilizing people during his conversation with host Javi Rosenberg. Arussy argues that businesses do not thrive solely on data or figures; rather, they require compelling narratives that resonate with their audience. He illustrates this point through the common New Year’s resolution scenario, where individuals, motivated by the story of change, commit to healthier lifestyles only to revert to old habits within weeks. This highlights a fundamental truth: facts alone do not inspire lasting transformation. Arussy shares his journey from the tech world into consulting, where he realized the importance of change management over merely implementing technology. His firm, Strativity, combined various disciplines to provide comprehensive solutions, ultimately aiding major brands like Mercedes Benz and Delta Airlines in their transformative journeys. The essence of his message is that to foster genuine change, one must craft a story that ignites passion and purpose, enabling individuals and organizations to embrace new realities and overcome resistance to change.

Takeaways

Lior Arussy emphasizes that we live in stories, not just numbers or facts, which mobilize people to action.
He argues that successful startups must prioritize change management alongside their technological developments.
Arussy believes many startups fail to recognize the resistance to change from potential customers.
He suggests that true competition for startups is not other companies, but rather the inertia of customers.
Arussy's experience shows that transformation requires belief in the future and a compelling narrative.
The importance of empathy in consulting and change management cannot be overstated for successful outcomes.