The services of ELT Labs are based on the ELT-model^©. The abbreviation stands for Entrepreneurial Learning Theory. The model assumes that personal experiences and perceptions have a strong influence on the way entrepreneurs think and act. It is a continuous process of experiencing, theorising, acting and reflecting. Narrative research by ELT Labs is focussed on mapping, analysing and interpreting the way entrepreneurs think and act. Sharing the narrative leads to more understanding and trust and improves the interactions between the entrepreneur and his/her environment.

A narrative is a story that has a significance for you. It positions you in relation to others with whom an interaction has taken place. The whole of meaningful and coherent experiences is worked out in a narrative report.

Narrative research is a qualitative research method, focussed on collecting, analysing and interpreting the narratives of a storyteller, in an attempt to explain phenomena in his or her life. The goal is to better understand human characteristics on the basis of stories. The stories that people live and tell are a rich source of knowledge and meaning.

Entrepreneurial aspects, such as risk tolerance, self-confidence, self-reliance and self-sufficiency are expressed in stories with a historical context. From a dynamic perspective, new stories with different values are constantly emerging. A narrative analysis does not only address the current reality, but also gives direction to future situations. This makes narrative research useful to make an entrepreneur’s way of thinking and acting predictable.