Eric facilitated a one day workshop of Storytelling for our HR group during our global meeting. He incorporated presentation material introducing the concept, some ‘warm up’ practices and opportunities to practice in groups with him providing feedback. It was a great workshop and the team learned a lot and had fun.
I also took individual sessions and found him very helpful to find the story, then improve it and practice delivery. I would highly recommend him for Storytelling workshops and individual coaching sessions.
Kirsten Schuermann, Global Human Resources Leader, 4Flow Germany
I was to open our Job Satisfaction Day with a speech about cooperation and feedback. Half an hour of talking in front of more than 200 colleagues: how was I going to remember all that?
Erik helped me with storytelling. I got a grip by thinking in images, like scenes in a movie, so I could relive the story on the spot: the words came naturally. Thank you Erik!
Harby Scheper, Municipal Secretary, Westerwolde
I did a 1-on-1 course with Erik, where I was able to combine storytelling and presenting to create a compelling story. The great thing is that Erik really lets it be your own story, he shows you what you do well and also helps you focus on what you really want to convey. All sessions were always a real treat. You learn to recognise stories, to fit them into a bigger story, and to do that in your own way (and in an engaging way). He also has a lot of practical tips and gives feedback in a pleasant way.
Sjoukje Veenema, Proces manager, Housing corporation Nijestee
I like this training and really enjoyed it. The material is good, and it opened my insight about the importance of story telling. Erik was very enthusiastic about delivering this training. Thank you Erik for sharing your knowledge about story telling.
Eva Rosmalia, BASS Training Center Jakarta
Erik takes you into the world of storytelling, gives many tips that you can really get started with. The examples and videos also make you curious. The training is very well applicable in practice. Highly recommended!
Marguérite Chehin-Tjong A Hung, Partner at Tjong A Hung Accountants, Paramaribo
Unbelievable how much someone can learn in 4 online sessions of 1.5 hours! Erik has a smooth, safe and humorous way to tell a really catchy story in no time. And you learn, not unimportantly, to emphasize what the message is that you ultimately want to convey with your story. In short: a must! Allow yourself and your audience to become a better storyteller.
Kaat Vink, emergency investigator
An excellent trainer in the field of (offline) storytelling, and also very knowledgeable online. Erik is able to make people even feel online that they are in the same room with him, by connecting with them very quickly, thanks to his qualities as a storyteller. That immediately creates a bond.
Gian Kerstges, Optimus Prime
What a super fun and inspiring workshop it was! I apply it directly in my work for the hospital. Very happy!
Hedwich Rinkes, program manager, Hospital Tjongerschans
After the beginners training, I did the advanced training as well. Where you normally leave a workshop tired, I just left full of energy. Erik’s personality, approach and intrinsic motivation make the training fun and educational. Highly recommended!
Shashi Baboeram Panday, CFO Talpa Media
Had a top training from Erik! He makes it childishly clear that everyone is full of stories and that those stories are worth hearing and that they are easy to use with simple techniques in your work environment and your work presentations. Learned a lot and it was fun to do too!
Erwin Olde Engberink, change manager healthcare, Sectra
Erik Mathlener listens carefully, thinks and asks questions. He then enters the stage with a lived experience wrapped in a haunting story. A story that makes you think and gives a different response for every listener. I thought it was amazing how a personal story suited the 60 colleagues in my department and how it inspired and influenced them. This contribution made the meeting unforgettable and exciting.
Sally Hoffer, department head, Netherlands food and consumer product safety authority
Recently I worked with Erik for the first time as a storyteller. His experience quickly showed that his contribution was a real added value and that “telling a story” is more than an art but a real profession. Erik is a professional who is very accessible and flexible. This was reflected in the end result and the many positive reactions. The entire process was therefore a very positive experience that is certainly worth repeating in the future.
Nadja Vananroye, mayor City of Hasselt, Belgium
I think TED talks are very strong, I would like to be able to do something like that. I didn’t know anything about storytelling, but what I read on Erik’s website really appealed to me. The coaching sessions went very naturally. But it felt uncomfortable to tell a personal story because of the emotion involved; and in my opinion it was a bit exaggerated.
Still, I did it for a loaded topic during a management meeting. I was pleasantly surprised with the feedback I received. People loved it!
Chi Mai, product manager, Vodafone
We asked Erik to take care of the last part of our 24-hour management day. Exciting, because as an organizer you want people to like it and pick up the lessons.
During the workshop it was a bit difficult to put storytelling into practice. But after a short incubation period, it finally worked out well: after a few days colleagues got to work enthusiastically. They were triggered to apply the practical tips (very valuable!) and to illustrate the message with personal stories. The stories are now being told, exactly what we wanted!
Jacomine Rozemuller, manager communication & PR, KPN Reggefiber
Erik immerses himself in the participants, adjusts the program to the needs of the group and knows how to convey the essence of telling a story in an inspiring way. In such a way that this message can be put into practice immediately. I have experienced this as a very valuable day.
Tineke Bijl, senior manager, Nationale-Nederlanden
I asked Erik if he could provide a training on storytelling for entrepreneurs. Based on my question, he put together a training that was completely tailored to this target group and our wishes.
In the preliminary phase I spoke with Erik a number of times and discussed how we could best shape this workshop. Erik thinks along with everything and comes up with very nice and creative ideas. I noticed that he really spends a lot of time and energy preparing for the training. For example, he had looked at the websites of everyone present (50 people) and even integrated them into his presentation. This created a very personal and safe atmosphere during the meeting.
Erik gets people moving in a fun, accessible and creative way. He makes people feel safe to share personal stories with each other. The feedback we received after the meeting was therefore very positive!
Kiki Jaspers, board member, Business Vision Venray
I am very excited about the training. It is a nice combination of theory (and examples) and try it yourself. With this you can find and build stories yourself and then share with others of course! Erik creates a very pleasant atmosphere and gives tips for further improvement. Definitely a must!
Milou Dubois, project manager, Province Fryslân
It is very nice to work with Erik, as he is not dominant and very good at reflecting and letting people discover the story for themselves. The reactions afterwards were very positive. The expectations in advance were also that we would learn to tell a good story, to be even better in conversation with people, both in the group and individually. And that was extremely successful.
Jan Pieter van Oosten, director private banking, Rabobank
As a manager I wanted to grow in presenting. Erik guided and advised me in a number of intensive coaching sessions. Due to his pleasant approach, I have grown in my presentation skills. Erik is an enthusiastic storyteller and I can wholeheartedly recommend him to everyone.
Erwin de Jong, Manager Productmanagement Verzekeren & Pensioen, Rabobank
In the storytelling workshop, Erik helped me find the story that fits the message that had to be conveyed. Erik knows how to explain the structure of a good story. Perhaps more importantly, he also knows how to get the story out of you. The story I worked on during the workshop was received very enthusiastically and is now gratefully used by my colleagues! After the workshop I have the tools to find and convey the next story.
Peppijn Slappendel, Product Owner & Team Manager, FRISS
The great thing about Erik Mathlener is that he shows in practice how you can strengthen your own story. His coaching is super sharp and really helps you move forward.
Conrad van Pruijssen, Owner Happy kids happy parents
Erik gave us a very good one-day in-company storytelling training. He hits the right note. He makes the profession of storytelling very accessible in a very short time. He motivates; you want to get started. And above all, Erik really “grabbed” us with his valuable feedback and reflection.
Wilma Verschoor, City of Rotterdam
During the meeting Erik managed to fascinate and challenge the audience. At his invitation, colleagues immediately took the stage to present themselves. Nice to see that his story led to immediate results!
Esther van der Lelie, Manager Marketing & Communicatie, Dolmans Facilitaire Diensten
Erik is flexible, thinks along and is very creative in writing a suitable story from the first moment . He pays attention to the smallest details during the preparations. Everything to make his performance a success. We look back on a special and successful afternoon.
Fleur Scheepmaker, Schiphol Group
Erik is a very enthusiastic storyteller. I saw him tell a wonderful story during a presentation at Schiphol, in which our Capi store was also positively highlighted. That afternoon, I asked him if he could do the same in English. Our international managers meeting was all about behavioral change. Erik understood exactly what I wanted and translated everything beautifully. He played a convincing role as a positive customer. Partly because of his story, the meeting was a great success. It was different, uplifting and effective. Recommended!
Peter Wiggers, Managing Director, Royal Capi-Lux Holding BV
With Erik’s training “presenting with storytelling” I have been given tools in an inspiring way to convince people with a story. He made me aware of the essence of presenting and what you can do to achieve your goal. A fun workshop, fresh and useful! Strongly recommended!
Eliana C. Rivadeneira Samaniego, Senior Marketing Professional Nationale-Nederlanden
Nice to see that everyone listened with such fascination. You really have a talent to convey a story!
Froukje Kooistra, Manager Operations World Trade Center Leeuwarden
You were very funny. It gave me ideas and inspirations for teaching customer service to contractors here in the US.
Jeffrey Scott, at the Global Speakers Summit 2011
Great practical tips on how to tell a story in a captivating way. Amazing how Erik held everybody’s attention with his story at the end of the workshop, whereas in many other workshops that’s the moment where people check their watches and get ready to go.
Fernand Pors, Chair Toastmasters Groningen
On the 19th of November 2015 Erik provided an inspirational session on Storytelling at the black belts of ING, specifically tailored to how we could use storytelling in our profession as black belts. It was a fun session where theory was combined with practice. One of our fellow black belts was brave enough to actually go through the storytelling process with Erik. In short, it was an interesting, educational and fun session!
Anamica Ramkhelawan, Certified Lean Six Sigma Senior Blackbelt, ING
I find Erik to be a confident trainer and coach, always interactive, and approaching the diversity of audiences with charm and ease. I highly recommend him for any type of consultancy in storytelling.
Dr. Arla Gruda, Freelance program management