We are living in a time of unprecedented change. As professor Jan Rotmans often says, “It’s not just a time of change, it’s a change of time.” You can see this change happening everywhere. Nearly every aspect of our society is under pressure, and we are questioning the way we do things.
It’s not just a time of change, it’s a change of time
These changes can be stressful, as they bring uncertainty. However, they also offer a wealth of opportunities. When we consider the problems that humanity has overcome in the past, we can be confident that we can overcome the challenges of today. (Read Steven Pinker!)
I specialize in several areas where change is occurring: entrepreneurship, technology, sustainability, and human capital. My conferences, debates, roundtables, and strategy sessions often revolve around several questions:
- What is happening now?
- What needs to change?
- How can we get everyone on board?
When we consider the problems that humanity has overcome in the past, we can be confident that we can overcome the challenges of today
Entrepreneurship
In these changing times, we need innovations that can reach the market quickly. However, it can be difficult for companies, especially larger ones, to achieve this. We are seeing more and more collaborations, ecosystems being built, and connections being made in order to create more value together. I enjoy talking to these people about their experiences, successes and failures, and what they have learned.
Technology
I have been interested in technology since I was a child. Give me a device with screws and I’ll find a reason to take it apart. This interest has not only been about how technology works, but also about its impact on businesses and society. For example, what will happen if we can genetically modify food with CrisperCas9? What will happen if we make decisions based on big data but no longer understand why the computer came up with that result? What will happen to factories if we can print our own products in the future?
Sustainable innovation
Since the 2015 climate agreement, sustainability has become a major concern for businesses in the Netherlands. While there is still a wide range of approaches being taken, those lagging behind will quickly be left behind. The most important question with sustainable innovation is how to integrate it into the core of our businesses? Many sustainability programs focus on “less bad,” but that’s like driving slower in the wrong direction. Which companies can succeed in making a 180-degree change in course? What are the success- and failure factors? In strategy sessions and events, I talk to managers about the decisions they make.
Human capital
I am very positive about millennials. And I really mean it! After all, they want their work to be meaningful, they want to develop their careers and skills, and they want to have a say in everything. And isn’t that what we all really want? Work that matters, learning opportunities, and a boss who takes us seriously? Millennials can demand all these things because of the shortage in the labor market. And that’s good for all of us! I therefore look at organizations that are better able to connect with their most important asset: people. How do they do that? What can we learn from them?