In this episode, I sit down with Alexandre Eisenchteter, former 3M process engineer turned expert facilitator and founder of Stormz, a collaborative brainstorming platform. We dive into the journey of building Stormz, the art and science of facilitation, and how AI is transforming the way we design and run workshops.

From the principles of diverging and converging to the role of facilitators as creative catalysts, Alexandre shares a wealth of insights drawn from years of hands-on experience. We also explore the evolution of Stormz from software to a full-fledged service, and how COVID-19 pushed innovation in remote collaboration tools.

Plus, we get into the real talk—what works in brainstorming, what doesn’t (looking at you, dot voting), and how to balance AI with human connection to keep workshops impactful, not robotic.

📌 Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Alexandre Eisenchteter

01:49 – The Journey from Process Engineer to Facilitator

05:02 – Understanding Diverge and Converge in Problem Solving

08:10 – The Role of the Facilitator in Brainstorming

11:48 – Techniques for Effective Brainstorming

14:47 – Adapting Techniques for Different Audiences

17:46 – The Evolution of Stormz: From Idea to Reality

24:11 – Challenges and Successes in Launching Stormz

29:49 – The Future of Facilitation and Collaboration Tools

35:48 – The Evolution of a Facilitation Agency

39:36 – Transitioning from Workshops to AI Integration

41:50 – The Impact of COVID-19 on Remote Collaboration

44:02 – Redesigning Storms: A New Era for SaaS

47:48 – Innovative Strategies for Idea Generation

50:13 – Leveraging AI in Workshops: Best Practices

54:28 – Balancing Technology and Human Interaction

01:00:24 – The Future of Facilitation: AI Tinkerers Club

01:05:17 – Managing Expectations with AI in Workshops

01:09:19 – The Challenge of Time Constraints in Workshops

01:10:23 – Understanding Methodology and Its Misapplication

01:11:48 – The Importance of Time in Workshops

01:13:43 – Strategies for Effective Workshop Management

01:16:31 – Managing Client Expectations

01:19:08 – The Soufflé Effect: Workshop Enthusiasm vs. Reality

01:21:46 – Rethinking Dot Voting in Workshops

01:30:23 – Integrating AI into Facilitation

01:39:34 – AI as a Tool in the Facilitator’s Toolbox

✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:

• The facilitator’s role in creative problem-solving

• Why “diverge and converge” matters in group work

• How to adapt techniques to your audience

• Practical workshop tips, including when not to use dot voting

• How to integrate AI thoughtfully in facilitation

• The challenge of time constraints—and how to push back

• Why managing expectations is key to workshop success

🛠️ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀:

👉 Stormz – Collaborative Workshop Tool : https://about.stormz.me/

👉 AI Tinkerers Club : https://join.ai-tinkerers.club/ ai-tinkerers.cards

👉 AI Tinkerers Cards : https://ai-tinkerers.cards

🗣️ 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁:I’m a workshop facilitator and designer working with NGOs, startups, and global brands to make collaboration more creative and productive. From strategy sprints to big-team events, I bring energy, clarity, and a touch of unexpected magic to every session.

📬 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱:Subscribe to my newsletter: https://facilitatorscorner.substack.comFollow Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eisenchteter/Follow me on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/49clGjh