About Hans

I’m trying to combine the inner spirit of Groucho Marx with the external looks Captain Picard. Apart from Sumo wrestling, there is no profession on earth that I have not tried.

Sunshine in Amsterdam

I have been a monk in SE Asia and also involved in boxing (yes, yes, I know there is a difference). I have also had a go at managing a campsite, running a Dutch “brown” cafe and a snack bar. I have worked as a therapist in a mental hospital in Amsterdam. After several visits to Japan, I enjoyed a brief flirtation with a European management position at Apple Computers in Paris, France. I became the Marketing Manager of Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, now called Capgemini, the largest ICT and Consultancy Company in the Benelux. Five years later, driven by my inner restless soul, I founded the media company Business Tales. This company generated several innovative projects on the Internet. Examples include the e-video website in 1995 and the commercials-on-demand site in 1996.

Today, I am one of the major shareholders in GloCorp NV, a consulting services provider in strategy, marketing and impact improvement. As a member of GloCorp’s board, I am responsible for new business concepts, strategy and innovation. I also act as a counselor for Captains of Industry on subjects related to personal performance. My style is a velvet hand in an iron glove – pulling no punches – with a touch of diplomacy! I held a position as a member of two supervisory boards; a Dutch and a European company. Cyberspace always plays a key role in my creative thinking. I seem to have a keen eye for a wide range of future developments. Success propelled me into the role of innovative front-runner and intuitive speaker. And see and behold: the noble art of professional speaking entered my life.

I founded the Professional Speakers Association Holland and am executive board member of the International Federation For Professional Speakers, the IFFPS. Renamed in July 2009 into the Global Speakers Federation. I give marketing and digital strategy courses at the Academy of Management, the Postgraduate Institute within Groningen University in the North of the Netherlands. I was also responsible for the post-doctorate program in e-business. I also lectured abroad – in Thailand, Myanmar, China. And in the UK and USA. Coming month I will speak for two Chambers of Commerce, a group of post-doc students and a small group of Rotarians in Holland. As an experienced moderator of international chatrooms, I consider myself a professonal virtual MC! This is a profession that is still quite unknown to most people. Although Twitter is catching up with the secrets of this unknown world. One of my slogans is: Typing speed is chat power! Business Tales BV, a Dutch multimedia firm that I founded 17 years ago, keeps me busy as well. Thinking and talking about innovative cross media concepts, digital rights management, multi streaming video, video on iPhones, the Art of Twittering, the developing of iPhone applications or YouTube clips and just directing a corporate movie, an interview or promotion film once in a while… I love it.

I opened my home to a 14 year old foster child from Peru. He’s now 19 years old, stands on his own feet and is doing fine. That is… as far as teenagers or ‘betweners’ are ever doing fine. In the Dutch Magazine ‘Mobiel’, I wrote a bi-monthly column about this adventure. The columns are now bundled into my first book. I’m writing a second book but more about that later.

The last book I read is ‘Excuses Begone’ by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

I enjoy playing dangerous and extreme sports, like golf and wakeboarding. After every wakeboard run of 10 minutes behind the Mastercraft X30 speedboat, the muscles in my body seem 10 inches longer. However, after 20 years of playing golf, the only handicap I ever achieved was a painful right arm. What a life I lead…

By the way… thanks for reading all this and for your interest. If you think or feel we should meet, or you would like to discuss business, please let me know. I’m open to all new business ideas, BUT be concrete. Like you I value my time! Phone me on +31654696045 anytime to arrange a meeting.

Speak well,

(:-) Hans

====

PS. You understood that if modesty was a fatal disease, I would have been buried decades ago…

PPS. If you are interested in more about me, check out http://www.linkedin.com/myprofile?trk=hb_side_pro or use @hansruinemans to follow me on Twitter.