Cultures define themselves through stories called myths. Religions embody their values and beliefs in stories. Nations rely on stories to conceptualize, understand, and pass down their histories from generation to generation. Parents tell stories to teach their children. Stories are what we use to try to make sense of the world and ourselves.

Stories are also highly effective equipment for professional communicators. Stories help us compare notes about being human.  In contrast to the proofs of logic or appeals to reason, stories speak to the heart and to the imagination.

Stories go to our core. Stories drive home the point. Stories persuade.

Meet the Expert

Richard Butterfield

Consultant Richard Butterfield

Skills and Expertise: What's this?

About Richard

  • Principal - Butterfield Speaks - communication, presentation, and media training
  • Stand above the crowd and manage stressful episodes with persuasive business communications, compelling strategic messages, dynamic presentations, and media savvy 
  • Product launches, funding pitches, financial presentations, thought leadership speeches, IPO roadshows, book tours, and courtroom testimony
  • Corporate clients include: Microsoft; Gartner; Clif Bar; EBay; CNET; Infospace; Genentech, Bayer Corporation, VISA, Charles Schwab
  • Healthcare clients include: Kaiser Permanente; Tenet Healthcare; The Cleveland Clinic
  • Legal clients include: Fenwick & West; Sidley Austin; Jones Day

Experience

Principal • Butterfield Speaks
1997 — Present

  • Facilitate and guide individuals and teams as they develop and prepare for product launches, funding pitches, financial presentations, thought leadership speeches, IPO roadshows, and book tours.
  • Prepare lawyers and witnesses for the courtroom.
  • Prepare Fortune 500 technology companies in both Investor Relations messaging and conference keynotes.
  • Prepare Authors, Physicians and Business leaders for successful presentations and interviews on The Today Show, CNBC, CNN, and the TED conference.

Dean • American Conservatory Theater
1986 — 1994
  • Acting and Voice Faculty
  • A.C.T. is internationally recognized for its groundbreaking productions of classical works and bold explorations of contemporary playwriting.
  • The conservatory serves 3,000 students every year and is the first actor training program in the United States not affiliated with a college or university accredited to award a master of fine arts degree.

Education

American Conservatory Theater
MFA, Acting, 1985
Stanford University
BA, International Relations, 1981
Packages with Richard starting from $475

Your Expert Package Includes:

Best Practices

Access to ALL Best Practices authored by TrustedPeer Expert Richard Butterfield on this topic.

Pre-Meeting Discovery Process

Review and analysis of your issue with pre-meeting discovery questions by Richard, followed by a 30- or 60-minute one-on-one call. Sample

One+-on-One Call

Your (+colleagues) meeting is directed and focused from the first minute.

Meeting Summary Report

After your call, Richard completes a Meeting Summary Report to provide you with the session’s discussion topics, analysis, assessment and recommendations for next steps. Sample

Post-Meeting Engagement

After your meeting, continue your relationship with Richard on your own, or with TrustedPeer’s support.
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