Clients and Testimonials

“I had no idea that stories were so important in my work until I found your book. I mean, I guess I used them every day, but not deliberately. After reading, I started to see stories everywhere and how different stories may have different value. I think your book was like that for me… stories were all around me, but your book was the pair of glasses that helped me see them. Now the awareness of stories is almost unconscious.” Sales Executive, 2008

“I want to acknowledge you for the incredible contribution that you make to people everyday that come in contact with you. You have an incredible gift of being completely “present” to people and the conversations you have with them.” Manager, 2007

Dear Craig, 
”What’s Your Story” is a true inspiration to me in order to manage stories that matter to me, as a brand storyteller. I would love to stay informed about your latest books! 
Kristiaan Van Woensel, 2010

“Out of all of the nationally and internationally known speakers present, your name keeps popping up when I ask management what they are going to differently as a result of the week.” Chief of Staff, Communications, 2006

“As usual, you are AWESOME. I don’t know where they found you…but I’m sure glad they did!” Supervisor

“Thank you very much for having Craig Wortmann come in and speak with us. While I’ve appreciated the other guests, he’s the only one who “spoke” to me and truly inspired me. “ Kellogg Student

WOW! That’s what I’m hearing from the 21 locations across my division. ” Head of Communications

“Certainly a highlight of the meeting. Thought the topics he covered were spot on for senior leadership effectiveness. I am looking forward to exploring and utilizing both the sales process maps as well as organizing and collecting stories to increase my message effectiveness.” CEO, Die Casting Company, 2009

Thanks for sharing the knowledge. Was a nice end to the conference. Even beat hearing President Clinton! Executive, Fundraising Conference 2011

I’m writing to tell you how much I enjoyed your presentation on storytelling at the AFP conference. It was clearly the best educational session I attended. While I’ve used stories in my work, I’ll be much more effective employing your tools in my future storytelling. It made me wish I were in your class at the University of Chicago! Development Officer, Fundraising Conference 2011

I sincerely consider you one of the best teachers I have ever had. Chicago Booth Student, 2011

Last night’s class was fabulous—very useful and extremely stimulating. I have done much selling throughout my career and your class has allowed me to focus on what I did and what I should do going forward in a much more rigorous and disciplined basis. It will be extremely useful for my EMR start-up. I love the idea of the sales tool kit. Entrepreneur, 2011

You do a great job of teaching the grass roots stuff at the core of effectiveness and success and making students use the language of every day life. That is valuable because it makes all of us feel like we can be successful. Chicago Booth Student, 2011

Your enthusiasm combined with your real-life anecdotes and lessons was inspirational. I’ve already started implementing my own “movie trailers” into conversation. Thank you! Salesperson, 2011

Thank you again for speaking at our Milestone event last week in London. Your remarks on selling were great and we had much positive feedback from the audience. Administrator, 2010

I just wanted you to know that this has been the most relevant class I’ve ever taken. Chicago Booth Student, 2010

Thank you for giving me a great final class at Booth. When you start you never actually think you will get here but somehow we all do. In life we accomplish a lot of different things and get this great education but often potential remains unfulfilled because we don’t learn to present it well or have the courage to go after the impossible or know and express what we really want out of a situation, a person or a deal. This class helps underscore the importance of these things. Selling is something I have always been bad at and I for one found it very helpful to have frameworks to control my own impulses (granted I need a lot of practice!). We learn a lot of different ways to manipulate numbers at this school but there are very few classes that teach us how to manipulate (to our advantage) our own emotions/tendencies/strengths/weaknesses and not get in our own way. Chicago Booth Student, 2010

I was very impressed by how you spoke about entrepreneurial selling. You were upfront about mistakes and also about the imperative of re-setting expectations in a regularised way. I have just come from a big start-up that has had to massively re-think / restructure. What you said rang very true. London Executive, 2010

The future of our business is hugely dependent on the effectiveness of our sales process and yesterday provided another significant step forward for our sales teams and investment professionals and ensures that we enter 2011 on the front foot, full of enthusiasm and new ideas on how to win in the market place. Financial Services Executive, London, 2010

You are an inspiration and thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Your guidance has helped me more than you know. Executive Coach, 2010

“Craig Wortmann was motivating and fun with great take-aways, looking forward to reading his book.” CEO, Medical Packaging Company, 2009

“Sales discussion: great presentation and a very relevant subject; especially since we’ve all been maybe too focused on cost cutting in this environment.” CEO, Technology Company, 2009

“I would strongly recommend Craig as a speaker for similar senior executive meetings.” CEO, Consulting Firm, 2009

“Craig Wortmann feels like “one of us.” Over the years, he has been easy to work with and very helpful in exploring ideas on how to use stories in our organization. Not once have we felt like he was a “pushy vendor” or that we were being “handled”; rather, Craig is unfailingly a trusted advisor. We’ve learned a lot from Craig about how stories can be used to improve our efforts in learning, leadership, and client sales. We look forward to continuing our relationship and learning journey with Craig and his team.” Executive, Booz Allen Hamilton, 2008

I have been an exchange student from Germany in your course entrepreneurial selling at Booth in fall 2009. This has been one of the most important courses in my 4 year long studies, because it is 100 % applicable to my daily life right now as a founder. I just wanted to say thank you for your great way of teaching, your enthusiasm and the deeply useful content and tools you provided me with. Chicago Booth Student, 2009

It goes without saying, but you give one of the most engaging, highest energy talks around. Accenture Executive, 2010

I just wanted to say hi and let you know that your class is one of the few that passes the six-week test, i.e. I actually remember what we learned more than six weeks after the quarter ends. While I still have a long way to go, some of the key points from your class like PBC, regular checking in on calls, and the use of story have definitely helped me in my sales role at my company. So much so that I have to put both school and all entrepreneurial thoughts on hold because they are sending me to China for three months to help get the sales and account management team there up on their feet after a rough six months. So I just wanted to say thanks again for contributing to my success at work. Chicago Booth Student, 2010

“In delivering messages to my people in tough (and good) times, this presentation will go miles.” Executive and Leadership Forum participant, 2004

“Excellent presentation — not only presented “the why” on how stories are effective in a leadership setting, but provided “the how,” with tools and shared experience, in following through. Great job!” Leadership Forum participant, 2004

“Craig, it was such a pleasure to meet you today. I’ve heard so much about you and you exceeded my expectations. Your presentation stimulated so many thoughts for me (e.g. how to facilitate, present, and simply interact with people!) and I was continuing to brainstorm (by myself which is impressive for an extravert) the entire commute home (all 1.5 hours).” Expert Facilitator, 2008

“Wow! What a blast we had with you last Friday! You really energized the group and ‘jump started’ their thought process on our story and theme.” President of Division, 2007

“They are having everyone in the office watch a DVD of your “Coaching for Results” seminar for the Supervisor Conference in 2004. We watched it today and I want to tell you that I really enjoyed it. Some of the key points that I really enjoyed were the story telling to bring context and the win book.” Supervisor, 2005

“You and your fellow presenters certainly had an impact at the meeting and deserve a whole lot of the credit and I am deeply appreciative. From the responses I have received today I couldn’t have hoped for a better integration of great, inspiring, valuable content directly into the heart of the IT leadership body.” Chief Information Officer, 2007

“Excellent communicator — effective delivery. Builds a compelling case to use stories for more effective communication.” Leadership Forum participant, 2004

Thank you for your professionalism as well as your understanding of our needs and our company’s culture. As always, working with you on this was a pleasure.” Head of Learning and Development, 2006

“Craig has broad knowledge on transfer of learning, and he has a gift for making the learning process dynamic while making sure learners are not only engaged but also energized, focused and knowledgeable about what to do differently to make the learning ‘take.’” Head of Communications, 2006

“You have an awesome style that is not only motivating but…got the right messages across which was critical to our delivery for these sessions and in preparing our leaders for their feedback” Director, Change Management, 2007

“You were awesome! One of my New Mexico Supervisors made WIN BOOKS for each of her peers and brought them into work after the holiday. Pretty incredible!” Vice President

“Today’s training session has been one of the most enjoyable, valuable, and applicable sessions that I have attended.” HCSC Workforce Engagement Leader, 2008

“For example, I had no idea that stories were so important in my work until I found your book. I mean, I guess I used them every day, but not deliberately. After reading, I started to see stories everywhere and how different stories may have different value. I mentioned that in testing “we don’t break the software, it comes to us already broken”. I think your book was like that for me… stories were all around me, but your book was the pair of glasses that helped me see them.” Software Executive, 2008

“This was excellent “balcony time” away from the office with many key insights: Win Book, Story Matrix, reference books.” Leadership Forum participant

“I wanted to be first in re-enforcing the message that you were truly in your zone last night. You were credible, captivating, powerful, and full of energy. Kellogg Professor

“You are the absolute best! You did a fabulous job! Worth every penny and then some! Thank you for being such an inspiration! I could listen to you for hours!!!” Director, Full Service Call Center

“You were absolutely spectacular last night! The students were bowled over by your story and your enthusiasm! I wish we had the whole night for your talk.” Kellogg Professor

“Excellent presenter. Best to date.” Leadership Forum participant

Refreshing to spend some time with someone who speaks the same language. I also want to reiterate that I am a big fan of the book. It’s clear, concise, actionable, and — most importantly — enjoyable to read. Book customer, 2008

“I just wanted to write you to say how great I thought the Entrepreneurial Selling was. Learning about the “chasm crossing”, technology/idea adoption curves, etc. has helped me better evaluate/understand the most important part of any business – the customer.” Chicago Booth student, 2008