In the world of gaming, the term “1-UP” refers to an extra life or an

opportunity to continue playing, even after failing. It’s a chance to

learn from past mistakes, adapt, and come back stronger.

That’s what I offer you.

  • “Give a good idea to a mediocre team, they will screw it up; give a mediocre idea to a great team, they will either fix it or throw it away and come up with something that works.”

    - Ed Catmull, Pixar Founder

  • “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: We did it ourselves.”

    - Lao Tzu

  • “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say: Thank you! In between the leader is a servant.”

    - Max Depree

  • “A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame, and a little less than his share of the credit.”

    - John Maxwell

  • “Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position.”

    - Brian Tracy

  • “Earn your leadership every day.”

    - Michael Jordan

  • “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”

    - Jack Welch

  • "Great leaders find ways to connect with their people and help them fulfil their potential."

    - Steven J. Stowell

  • "If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following, then you are just taking a walk."

    - Benjamin Hooks

  • "Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work."

    - Vince Lombardi

  • "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader."

    - John Quincy Adams

  • "To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved."

    - George MacDonald

  • "Leadership: The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."

    - Dwight D. Eisenhower

  • "He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted."

    - Lao Tzu

  • "The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them."

    - Ernest Hemingway

  • "Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better."

    - Bill Bradley

  • “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

    – Theodore Roosevelt

Erik Goossens

I help CEOs turn visions into action by aligning teams, strategy, and culture for growth.

As an INSEAD Certified Leadership Coach and Fractional Chief of Staff, I bring over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in the gaming and tech industries. My expertise lies in empowering leaders to navigate complex challenges, drive change, and create high-performing teams. Whether transitioning from traditional business models to agile startups or steering leadership teams toward strategic milestones, I provide the guidance, clarity, and actionable insights needed for success.

Let's work together to bridge the gap between vision and execution. Connect with me if you're ready to elevate your team and organizational strategy.

  • As Chief of Games at GameHouse, I led the transformation of the company from a traditional PC games business into a successful multi-studio, mobile-focused free-to-play model. I worked closely with teams across multiple countries to establish new game studios, develop innovative products, and foster a culture of creativity and resilience. My focus was on creating and executing strategic shifts, steering the transition from premium to free-to-play, and launching compelling narrative-driven mobile games.

    Key Achievements:

    • Spearheaded the company's strategic pivot from PC games to mobile free-to-play, significantly expanding the player base.

    • Launched multiple successful narrative-driven mobile games, including popular titles like Delicious World and Amber's Airline Series.

    • Established and recruited for new game studios in The Netherlands and Spain, successfully building diverse, high-performing teams.

    • Forged partnerships with European studios to jointly develop new gaming experiences, driving collaboration and creativity across the industry.

    • Championed a culture of innovation and growth, aligning teams around a unified vision and fostering resilience through change.

    Goodbye, GameHouse.

  • As a Co-Founder of Gynzy, I led the creation of an innovative edtech startup aimed at inspiring and supporting children's learning through technology. Our mission was to develop engaging, student-centric educational programs that leveraged modern internet technologies. I was responsible for product development, business strategy, and building a talented team to execute our vision. My role also involved working closely with educators to ensure our tools were impactful and user-friendly, ultimately driving adoption in classrooms.

    Key Achievements:

    • Successfully developed and launched interactive educational products, improving engagement and learning outcomes for students.

    • Built and led a cross-functional team focused on product innovation and rapid development cycles.

    • Created partnerships with educational institutions to expand product reach and validate learning effectiveness.

    • Achieved significant market penetration without external funding, demonstrating strong business acumen and resourcefulness.

  • As a Co-Founder of GameHouse, I helped establish a pioneering casual games company that became the market leader in Europe through its innovative try-before-you-buy model. I played a key role in developing, licensing, and publishing casual games tailored to the European market, driving significant growth and ultimately leading to the company's successful acquisition. My responsibilities included product strategy, team leadership, and overseeing partnerships to expand the company’s reach.

    Key Achievements:

    • Pioneered the try-before-you-buy model for PC downloadable casual games, establishing Zylom as a market leader.

    • Led product development efforts, resulting in a successful portfolio of games that gained widespread popularity.

    • Built strategic partnerships that expanded the company’s presence across Europe, contributing to rapid market growth.

    • Achieved profitability without venture capital, culminating in a successful acquisition by Real Networks in 2006.

    RealNetworks Agrees to Buy Dutch Games Developer Zylom - WSJ

work with me