Strategic consultant

Much of the change-management literature follows a similar blueprint: start with a SWOT analysis, craft a strategic plan, and then implement the 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 Boston Consulting Group study found 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.

According to a study from Cloudera and Harvard (2026), only 7% of enterprises have completely AI-ready data. 93% are building AI on a foundation that will fail in production. 73% of business leaders admit their organizations need to prioritize data quality much more than they currently do. An equal 73% state that processing and preparing raw data for machine learning models remains a major operational hurdle.

The problem is not the model. Over 90% of AI failures trace back to the data: mislabelled training records led to systemic bias; stale datasets lead to hallucinations; fragmented definitions lead to drifted models. And AI on outdated (factory operating model) workflows will not improve productivity.

Structural forces are breaking AI initiatives: data fragmentation, semantic drift, not-to-be-trusted and unlawfully obtained data. Each requires different solutions and capabilities, but not without coordination.

But let’s put these statistics into perspective! The real challenge isn’t the technology itself; it’s 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 create the need for fresh ways to organize and think about our operations.

I am thrilled to help organizations transition from traditional models to dynamic network organizations. Ultimately, I envision these organizations evolving 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 crucial to achieving meaningful change. A recent McKinsey study shows that subpar data costs businesses a staggering 30% in revenue on average, and up to 45% of employee activities could be automated, driving 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 go to 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 that managers can spend two full days each week simply requesting data from other departments? Poor data management can cost the United States over $3 trillion each year, according to the Harvard Business Review. We have a unique opportunity to reverse these statistics! In the Netherlands, cutting digital waste could save an impressive 2.3 billion hours annually, or about 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 fail despite billions spent worldwide. The issue does not stem from information technology but from how we perceive and organize work (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 across value chains, despite massive investments, remains a major 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 uses a double-track innovation strategy: we maintain and upgrade legacy systems while innovating and building new ones 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 just owning big data—has become a key resource for success. It’s about finding new ways to optimize how we manage 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 worldwide must recognize that transformation creates 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 systems thinking come into play, setting the stage for technology to thrive.

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

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 use AI effectively to address real 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)