The Atomic Structure of Story

We know that the most successful companies don’t just tell any story, they tell the right one in the right way.

At First Person, we place story at the center of our clients’ strategy—a central narrative that resonates across all levels of audience interaction, ensuring consistency and credibility. When leaders see how we structure Story at the Center, they understand why this clarity is so important.

The Story at the Center Model

‍Picture an atom…

At the heart of an atom, just as at the heart of a business, lies a nucleus: vision, category, and narrative form this core.

• Vision is like protons, guiding every decision with unwavering purpose.
• Category, akin to neutrons, offers the strategic flexibility to differentiate or align in the market, enriching the company’s vision.
• Narrative, the energy that binds, sculpts our unique identity.

Encircling this nucleus are the electrons—our stories told across websites, social media, and beyond. They are vibrant; essential in broadcasting our core story worldwide.

What unites these stories? The cloud of alignment, symbolizing the unity of leadership and employees. This alignment is crucial; it ensures our vision is lived, not just told, fostering a culture of trust and shared purpose.

Thus, like the atom, a business thrives when its foundational story is clear and its people aligned, making the Story at the Center model a succinct yet powerful blueprint for success.

We have a proven track record of helping companies not just grow in valuation, but capture billions in actual revenue by helping them place Story at the Center of their business. Our strategies are for those who dare to embrace significant change, for leaders who are not content with just being good, but strive to be exceptional.

‍Why it Matters

‍Storytelling can skyrocket customer loyalty by up to 82%, fueling repeat purchases and solidifying long-term bonds. Research shows that when information is paired with a story, people retain 65-70% of that information after three days, compared to only 10% without a narrative. This enhanced memory retention underscores the profound impact of storytelling on engagement and understanding.

Brands with a strong narrative outperform the S&P 500 index by 219% over a 10-year period. Want a bigger market share than your rivals? A compelling brand story is your ticket. It’s not just strategy; it’s your brand’s superpower.

And the decisive factor? In Play Bigger, authors Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, and Kevin Maney reveal that the first entrant in a category typically captures a staggering 76% of the market share.

That’s the power of being a category king—when you lead with a story, you’re not just entering the market; you’re defining it.