About me

John Elbing

Swedish by blood, American by birth, Swiss by upbringing: born in the United States, in Switzerland from the age of seven, schooled in French, and in Geneva ever since. Never fully one thing — which is probably where the obsession with standpoint comes from.

Storybuilding is what I built out of it, and Standpoint, my practice in Geneva, is where I run it: with leadership teams at pivotal moments, when the story that carried the company stops landing.

About the author

My Storybuilding method rebuilds that story from the customer's side, in a structured series of workshops your leadership team runs with me rather than receives from an agency, and tests it with real customers before it goes to market.

I have helped over 100 companies and startups, low tech and high tech, in a wide range of industries, from retail, industrial and service companies to high tech startups.

Half coach, I accompany you. Half consultant, I get things done.

The work is narrow on purpose. I build the foundational story and test it with your customers. I do not run your campaigns, design your brand, or hand you a document and disappear.

John Elbing

John Elbing

CSO — Chief Storybuilder Officer

I specialize in Business Storytelling with my unique methodology, Storybuilding. This approach uses canvas-based, customer-centric workshops to help companies craft compelling narratives that resonate with future customers. By doing so, they increase engagement, build authentic relationships, and clarify their positioning for lasting success.

Born in the US and raised in Switzerland, I combine my extroverted nature with a strong sense of structure. Bilingual in English and French, I hold an MS in Computer Science and an MBA in Finance, complemented by several specialized certifications.

My diverse career spans digital marketing, project and change management, and the launch of two innovative startups. With experience coaching over 100 startups and companies, I have been a catalyst for their journey to success.

My work extends beyond private enterprises, as I collaborate with several startup incubators and accelerators (Innosuisse, Fongit, HES-SO, UNIL, Platinn). Committed to social impact, I also offer pro bono support to refugees, migrants, and marginalized communities, empowering them to become entrepreneurs.

Additionally, I teach Entrepreneurship, Business Models, Digital Marketing, and Digital Transformation for various institutions.

Excitingly, Storybuilding is now a #1 International bestselling book!

Check out my LinkedIn profile

In their own words

Happy clients

MCI Group

MCI Group

Karen Bhavnani, Innovation and Implementation Manager

John delivered a hands-on interactive business model workshop helping us in framing our thinking and identifying and evaluating the business potential of our new initiative. John used varied group methods that sparked open discussion and new ways of thinking about our assumptions, the marketplace and key stakeholders. We recommend John for his expertise and his detailed approach to workshop preparation and delivery to meet outcomes.
ACTAGIS

ACTAGIS

Jeff Primus, CEO

Starting ACTAGIS, we knew that digital channels are indispensable to business development. Standpoint has exceeded our expectations and allowed us to significantly increase sales. It would be hard to find a better service!
Bluebotics

Bluebotics

Matt Wade

John has become a valued marketing partner for BlueBotics. We worked with him to update our brand messaging in the Storybrand style. Instantly respected by our entire team, he both carefully guided and brought a fresh (but relevant) perspective to these brainstorms. He helped us to define, in particular, our customers’ key challenges in a way that speaks to anyone. We’ve since used John’s consultancy to stress-check our plans for our messaging rollout and I can imagine this won’t be the last time we enlist his expertise.
Linalis

Linalis

Christophe Monnier, Directeur

Most consultants are good at talking, John is all about listening and delivering valuable results. Our Value proposition workshop was straight to the point and allowed the management team to agree on common goals.
Later, we contacted Standpoint to help us with our website copywriting and content creation. Once again, John delivered great content in no time.
1959 Advisors

1959 Advisors

Serge Ledermann

John quickly understood the needs of my company: understanding the business model, analyzing the profile and needs of customers, the quality of the message, and sensitivity to the “touch and feel” of the digital vector. Returns from customers and prospects are excellent and business is boosted.
TieTalent

TieTalent

Jovana Rotula, Marc Trillou, Founders

John is a great coach for our team. He helped us on the general strategy, digital marketing and communication areas. Always thinking outside of the box, listening carefully to our challenges and coming up with creative solutions. John is not a talker, he is a real doer.
Gmelius

Gmelius

Florian Bersier, Founder

Coaching a startup is hard! John quickly found a way to help Gmelius consolidate its market approach and processes in various fields going from marketing to human resources. He is a very smart and committed person who is always ready to lend a sympathetic ear.
Quantreex

Quantreex

Rahman Belyan

John always tries to understand even the most complex projects. He identifies with the client and offers simple, pragmatic and clear advice. Sensitive and human, he offers a new perspective on the good development of the product. Thank you.
ENVOY

ENVOY

CEO

I’m pleased to have worked with John Elbing at Standpoint on my storytelling and strategic positioning. We conducted multiple sessions via video and that format worked above expectation, really powerful and efficient use of time. John went deep into my companies situation. He clearly understands tech, product and the business challenges that a company like mine faces.
John then has a real knack for synthesising this context, applying a couple of really powerful frameworks, and has shepherded me to a place where my message is a lot clearer and customers will find it a lot easier to listen….an easy story is a better story! Thank you John, I look forward to working with you again.

Speaking

Speaker for hire.

Looking for a speaker who brings clarity, energy, and stories that stick?

Explore my talks and sessions on Sessionize .

Speaking about the Storybuilding framework

Partner

Partner of Enablers, a network of outstanding professionals.

When change hits hard and fast, the Enablers are the team you want in your corner.

This global crew of sharp, creative business thinkers helps leaders turn chaos into clarity, boosting culture, unlocking strategy, and getting real results. They’re pros at making transformation stick, not just sound good.

If you’re facing big shifts and want to bring your people along for the ride, the Enablers make it not just doable, but energizing.

The Enablers network

Entrepreneurship

Startup coaching organisations I collaborate with

Innosuisse

Innosuisse is the Swiss Innovation Agency. Its role is to promote science-based innovation in the interest of the economy and society in Switzerland.

Fongit

Switzerland’s premier innovation incubator. We specialize in tech innovation in Geneva and currently support over 250+ ICT, Engineering, and Life Sciences startups.

Platinn

Platinn, the innovation platform of Western Switzerland, strengthens, through coaching, the innovation capacity and competitiveness of companies.

PULSE

Support for innovative entrepreneurial projects innovative projects of students, assistants, staff and alumni of the HES-SO Geneva schools.

UNIL uCreate

The HUB supports UNIL students, researchers, alumni and collaborators in interdisciplinary projects with a societal and environmental impact.

Pro bono

Pro bono teaching, coaching & mentorship

SINGA

The business incubator for people with refugee and migrant backgrounds.

Bowie Creators

A 6-month online programme bringing you all the support you need to launch or grow your feminist or LGBTIQ+ project.

MassChallenge

MassChallenge is the global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges.

EQUALS-EU

EQUALS-EU aims to build capacity in gender-inclusive innovation in Europe and partner countries worldwide.

Let’s work together

Customer needs, expectations, and behaviors are evolving rapidly. New technology and business models are disrupting entire industries. The notion of industry boundaries has become blurred, competitors can come from unexpected directions.

This is scary.

I help you truly understand your customer and build your story, which becomes the foundation for your marketing. I help you discover new high-potential opportunities to grow your business. I help you build a strong marketing foundation and level up your customer experience.

And I help you implement strategically important internal processes to be ready for anything the world can throw at you.

I have packaged a series of workshops to future-proof your business.

I am also there, with you, to take on your biggest challenge. Tell me more.

Book a 30-minute story conversation

Book a 30-minute story conversation

Tell me about your pivotal moment. No pitch. No obligation.

Or send me a message.

Send me a message

I will get back to you rapidly.

People building their story together