I took my family to the Circus on the weekend. Why? Because we wanted to do something as a family and there was a large article about the Circus in the local paper. The article had a good photo and gave some insight into the performance. It had been a VERY wet week so we booked online and went for an adventure.

I loved it. It is amazing what people can do. The risks they take. The training they must endure. We “oohed” and “aahhed” and none of us wanted to run off with the circus and try what they did.

Yet I came away thinking it could be so much more.

There was no Story!

It was a series of separate acts, both individual and groups, but had no theme or story tying it all together. It was promoted as having a “Touch of South America” but really that was just props and costumes.

Today I realised what was missing. A Ringmaster or Storyteller. Someone to introduce the people – not just their performance. I can only recall twice when the announcer introduced the two youngest members of the team. Rather than watching as spectators a Storyteller can help people engage with the human side of the show and help you go away knowing not just “what” but “who” was a part of it.

How often do businesses get caught up in the performance, the show, the acts, the WHAT and fail to celebrate the WHO and the WHY of their unique story.

Yes I still enjoyed the product… but oh it could have been much more with a story.