Services

 

 Signature Workshop: The Power of Story


My work is built on the belief that story matters, and it is powerful. This is about purposeful, value-based storytelling that draws on real life – what you have experienced or witnessed – to make connections to a larger goal or cause. Storytelling connects one person’s story to a bigger story. The characters have integrity and choices. And the aim of storytelling is to move the listener (and the teller!) from apathy to empathy to action. When story connects intentionally with strategy, it becomes a powerful tool in reaching our goals. 

This work involves learning and testing out essential story skills and structures, grounded in narrative theory and practice, revolving around three core stories: The story of who you are and why you serve (why you landed where you are), the story of how your work has impact, and the story that invites others into the work with you. 

I have worked with thousands of people, in conference halls, in boardrooms and classrooms, at staff retreats and one on one. With new found story skills, people have delivered winning pitches, developed stronger teams, built their brand, raised funds and galvanized stakeholders. The power of story to connect, to inspire change and build community continues to astound me.  


All workshops are available in person or online, and can be customized for conferences, large or small groups, and as one-on-one coaching.


How do you want to move your story forward?

Make Your Story Work for You

If you need to brand or re-brand your business, connect with more customers, or spark your vision and make it visible, this series is for you. Stories build connection and trust, communicate your brand and can move your customers to buy and your investors to support you. You will get hands-on practice, hear inspiring entrepreneurial stories, and leave with templates and resources to move your stories to new places.

All workshops are available in person or online, and can be customized for conferences, large or small groups, and as one-on-one coaching.


The Power of the Pitch

If you are breaking out into a sweat just thinking about networking or pitching your product or your business, this series is for you. In this series, you will master the essential elements of a powerful business pitch, including winning structures that can be applied to everything from elevator pitches and networking, discovery conversations to marketing material, or a pitch for investment. It includes great examples, hands-on practice, and takeaway resources.

All workshops are available in person or online, and can be customized for conferences, large or small groups, and as one-on-one coaching.

Engage! Facilitation Skills That Work For You

If leading meetings, workshops or collaborative sessions is part of your work, this course is for you. Engage! includes theory, practical application, resources and tip sheets for facilitating groups in-person, and virtually. This is a blended course that’s built to work at your pace, with live Zoom sessions and online modules. You will get ongoing access to online modules, support from a community of practice, and lots of actionable tips and practices you can apply immediately.

1-on-1 Coaching

If you have a story you must tell, but struggle with how to share it with impact, a coaching package may be what you need. This package could include crafting stories to connect with clients, teams or customers. Or putting together a dynamic pitch or presentation whose outcome is crucial for your organization or business.  I will work one-on-one with you every step of the way to identify the stories you need to tell, and to craft them so you can connect with your audience for the biggest impact.  Coaching is an effective and efficient way to close in quickly on a goal.


Are you trying to build capacity in your organization?

Leverage the Power of Story: Connect, Communicate, Call Others to Action

If you need to inspire your team, set a vision for your organization, teach a lesson, illustrate values and work culture, or explain who you are and what you believe in, the skills and knowledge in storytelling and listening need to be part of your toolbox. You will get hands-on practice, listen to great examples of powerful storytelling, and take away tools that will help you shape stories to connect and communicate with your audience.

Next available in-person workshop: November 17, 2022. Register now!

All workshops are available in person or online, and can be customized for conferences, large or small groups, and as one-on-one coaching.



Building Connection and Community One Meeting at a Time

If you need to breathe new life into the meetings you lead or support, this workshop is for you.

This professional development opportunity focuses on actionable ways to make gatherings – including meetings, conferences, training, and community consultations – better serve your goals and the needs of those you are meeting with. And: bonus! The practices offered here can be applied to both online and in-person gatherings. You will get tips for inviting participant engagement, test out practices that invite connection and collaboration, and learn how to start with purpose and close with impact.

Next available workshop: October 27, 2022. Register now!

All workshops are available in person or online, and can be customized for conferences, large or small groups, and as one-on-one coaching.

Stand and Deliver

If you need to own your authentic voice as a team leader, an advocate or an expert in your field, this series is for you. Whether you work in a formal setting or informally, face-to-face or online, owning your voice when you are ‘on stage’ takes skill, preparation and practice. And it is crucial in these times – especially online – to capture attention and connect with your audience, so your ideas and content are communicated and remembered! You will get worksheets and templates, great examples and hands-on practice.

All workshops are available in person or online, and can be customized for conferences, large or small groups, and as one-on-one coaching.


Facilitation Services (Co-design/Creative Collaboration)

I can work with you to facilitate training, reflection, or change-making collaboration with your board, staff, or members of your organization or community. 

We start by meeting together to establish clear goals and a fiery purpose, and what the partnership will look like. Then I will continue to consult with you through the design, delivery and debrief of the session or series.

I value creating a safe and brave space where meaningful conversations can take place. In collaboration, we can craft questions that can open up new discoveries and connections. 

I also provide your group with the tools to become better “story catchers” – people who truly listen to other’s stories – as they learn to tell their own stories.  And after their stories are told, we can work together to find ways to take those stories and feed them back into your organization for lasting impact.


Clients include: Nine Circles Community Health Centre (story harvest to establish core values), Assiniboine Park Conservancy (part of a team that is developing the Indigenous Youth Storytelling Program), Youth Agencies Alliance (Youth Green Action Project), University of Winnipeg (sessions for the President’s Student Leadership Program), NorWest Coop Community Health (staff retreat), Manitoba Arts Council (community consultation), Initiatives for Just Communities (staff retreat), CRA stakeholder department (staff retreat).

Testimonials

“Working with Cate to develop our organizational storytelling muscle has been delightful from end to end! Cate’s ongoing support and guidance is leading us to deepening relationships with our members as we practice harnessing the power of stories.”

– Hannah Renglich, Director of Learning & Engagement, CCEDNet

“The notion of the story brought out our purpose, passions, and connection to one another…. For myself, I did not believe I could possess a powerful story or have the strength to tell my story. Ekosi (Thank you).”

– Reanna Merasty, Masters in Architecture, University of Manitoba

“Working with Cate taught me to dig deeper … I learned how important it is to capture our audience, to understand what their specific learning and engagement needs are, and to take the extra steps to ensure they are getting the most value from the session. Internally, I learned that I possess the power and skills to produce wonderful and engaging material! Cate's sessions helped me look inward and find my ‘special facilitating sauce’ that I now carry out in every session I produce.”

– Victoria Moss, VEAM Social

“Thank you so much for facilitating the start of our storytelling education. I really feel that this helped all of us to really think about why we are on the board and what it means to us. I now have a better understanding of those who share the board table with me and I am so thankful for that group of people. I always consider any meeting/seminar that I attend a success if I have come away with knowledge, and this session was brimming with new information!”

– Chris Hildebrand, Chair of Winkler Community Foundation Board of Directors

“I found your writing activities were so useful, especially for an entrepreneur. Your image diagram explaining the techniques were concise and made complete sense even for a non-writer. Your insights were practical and efficient.”

– Workshop participant

“A big thank you to you and your Storytelling course. It has been one of the very valuable stepping stones along my journey to ‘finding my voice,’ telling my story and sharing the many amazing stories and wisdom that our guests have to offer on our new podcast and video show ‘The Impact Farming Show.’ Thank you, Cate!”

– Tracy Brunet, CEO at Farm Marketer & Cottage Marketer