Jon Torrens

 I work with many different companies (Microsoft, Foster+ Partners, Redgate, Raspberry Pi, Creative Assembly) and I think they enjoy my training so much because: 

1. I’m an introvert.

2. I make it fun. 

Training/learning/development can be a chore; I believe it shouldn’t ever be that way. My background: I was a low-scorer academically. I studied art and design, then graphic design, got a job as a video game level designer, fell in love with performing stand-up comedy, became a full-time stand-up, didn’t become a star so gave it up, went back to games and started a family. While working at Sony Cambridge I saw a really bad presentation and realised that all the writing and performance skills I’d learnt as a stand-up needed to put to good use: transforming everyone into confident speakers. Too many people have suffered watching boring speakers, delivering dreadful material. I decided things needed to change. 

I set up my own coaching business, and after much hard work I have flourished, having found my place in the world. I relate to tech people – who are typically introverted – because I have had a similar experience. I connect because I have a ton of stand-up skills and… well, I like people. I really enjoy immediately getting them past the first simple barrier: their perception of their own communication skill level. It’s simple to get past that and then build on that foundation.