Strategic consultant

There is a wealth of literature on change management, and many books follow a similar blueprint: start with a SWOT analysis, craft a strategic plan, and then implement necessary changes within the organization’s structure and culture. However, it’s much more exciting to question the traditional view of corporations and firms as the best operating models. I believe that embracing innovative approaches offers us an incredible opportunity to redefine what success looks like!

While I don’t aim to transform established organizations completely, I understand that traditional businesses often grapple with various challenges that can hinder timely execution. For instance, a study by the Boston Consulting Group highlights that an astounding 70% of digital transformation projects don’t reach their full potential. Moreover, a Deloitte report reveals that many blockchain initiatives have been put on hold, and a recent MIT study found that only 5% of AI projects see the light of success.

But let’s put these statistics into perspective! The real challenge here isn’t the technology itself; it lies in how we organize data supply and demand within our operations. Many organizations believe they can simply purchase cutting-edge technologies like the internet, blockchain, and AI, plug them into their existing systems, and watch their problems disappear. This perception is an exciting misstep! New technologies usher in the need for fresh ways of organizing and thinking about our operations.

I am thrilled to assist organizations in their journey to transition from traditional models to dynamic network organizations. Ultimately, my vision is for these organizations to evolve into decentralized autonomous organizations—akin to a self-operating office, reminiscent of the ideas behind self-driving cars.

Waste is the death of any achievement

The Opportunity Ahead
Addressing waste is a crucial aspect of achieving meaningful change. A recent study by McKinsey shows that subpar data costs businesses a staggering 30% in revenue on average, and up to 45% of employee activities could be automated, leading to unprecedented efficiency. Gartner estimates that poor data quality can cost an organization between $9.7 million and $14.2 million annually. An Accenture report even states that as much as 30% of total organizational costs are spent on reconciling databases. With 36% of businesses now collaborating with twice as many partners as two years ago, it becomes even clearer that legacy business systems struggle to keep pace with this rapid expansion, often hindering growth instead.

Isn’t it eye-opening to think that managers can spend two entire days each week simply requesting data from other departments? Poor data management can lead to a mind-boggling cost for the United States of over $3 trillion each year, according to the Harvard Business Review. We have a unique opportunity to turn these statistics around! In the Netherlands, cutting digital waste could save an impressive 2.3 billion hours annually, equating to around 1.8 million full-time equivalents (FTEs).

Rethinking Solutions
To combat digital waste, organizations often set up digital transformation programs led by the IT department or traditional consultancy firms. However, this approach typically fails. Many digital transformation, blockchain, and AI projects experience failure despite the billions spent worldwide. The issue does not stem from information technology but rather from how we perceive work and organize it (including narratives about the necessity of work for earning a living, work addiction, workism, and the goal of full employment). The lack of reliable, secure, and accessible data in value chains, despite massive investments, is a significant obstacle. Organizations often operate in isolated realities within their local HR, CRM, and ERP systems. Responsible decentralized AI and blockchain, as part of the digital assembly line, can help reduce digital waste and enhance productivity. Most consultants may not be able to assist in this area unless they revise their organizational paradigm and dominant logic.

Innovative Path Forward
I create new frameworks (network organizations) rooted in innovative business and operational models, welcoming existing processes to thrive within this new environment. As an organizational designer and advisor, my mission is to construct data-driven ecosystems inspired by the concept of the digital assembly line. My approach utilizes a double track innovation strategy: we maintain and upgrade legacy systems while simultaneously innovating and building fresh systems to drive us into the future. Additionally, I apply the Community Model Canvas to design and engineer collaborative ecosystems.

Think about it! There’s no need for separate HR, CRM, or bookkeeping systems. Instead, organizations can connect to personal data services for employees and organizational data services for suppliers and customer information. Accessing rich data through the digital assembly line—not merely focusing on big data ownership—has become the key resource for success. It’s all about finding exciting new ways to optimize how we organize data supply and demand.

Let’s Start Preparing!
Organizations worldwide are eagerly seeking effective strategies to reduce digital waste, cut down information costs, and elevate customer service experiences. The most critical question now is: what role will you play in addressing these inspiring challenges?

Managers and professionals across the globe must recognize that transformation invites new contexts (shifting from physical to digital) that require fresh thinking and organization—incorporating networks and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations. With ongoing training and development, along with the strategic integration of automation (including generative AI), we can truly embrace this transformative journey.

My role
I’m passionate about collaborating with policymakers, innovation teams, executives, managers, and professionals to inspire genuine societal transformation enabled by technology. Together, we can find exciting new ways to organize office work, especially by harnessing the remarkable potential of technologies like AI! My mission is to align business and operating models with these innovative disruptors to boost productivity and drive positive change.

With three decades of hands-on experience, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of the internet, blockchain, and now AI. I truly believe that having cutting-edge technology is just the beginning; the real magic happens when we tackle meaningful problems and design innovative organizational structures that streamline supply and demand with ease.

It’s essential to recognize that awareness, research, and development take time to mature before we can implement new solutions effectively. While technology is crucial, it’s driven by our understanding of the import problems we aim to solve. This is where design and system thinking comes into play, setting the stage for technology to thrive.

While the internet and blockchain have transformed our daily interactions, they haven’t fundamentally altered the way we conduct business. Shifting mediums alone doesn’t equate to transformative business transactions. Today, many organizations are heavily investing in automating processes with AI without fully considering whether these processes should be executed at all from a supply chain point of view. We’ve digitized numerous analog practices, but we haven’t embraced a fully networked organizational model that aligns with our digital era’s demands.

The internet and blockchain have highlighted the limitations of traditional coordination mechanisms, such as outdated firms, opaque markets, and inefficient governance. So, the big question remains: Have we learned from our experiences with the internet and blockchain to effectively utilize AI in addressing genuine societal challenges?

Examples of My Consulting Services

• Engaging training and coaching sessions
• Dynamic expert meetings
• Tailored advisory services for businesses, governments, NGOs, and investment funds
• Insightful research, assessments, and analyses
• Thoughtful organizational design (awareness, feasibility, open innovation, development)
• Hands-on project support
• I look forward to partnering with you on this exciting journey toward innovation and positive change!

“If the only tool you have is a hammer,
you tend to see every problem as a nail”
(Abraham Maslow)