Shared goals, clear roles
Who decides what, on which side of the border? We make it clear together, from shared goals to a fixed meeting rhythm.
Across the border
Two countries, two teams. One organisation.
A team in Germany, built yourself or acquired? I make sure both sides work as one. I also help you navigate the German way of deciding, selling and organising.
- One team instead of two camps
- Faster decisions on both sides
- Really understanding German clients
The first call is free: 30 minutes online to talk through your situation. In Dutch, German or English.
Sound familiar?
- Change is slow on the German side: they would rather have the perfect solution in one go than improve step by step.
- As long as that perfect solution isn't there, things in Germany often stand still.
- After the acquisition, two companies still work side by side instead of together.
- Information crosses the border too late, or not at all.
- German customers decide differently, and more slowly, than you're used to.
- What is simply honest for the Dutch quickly comes across as blunt to German colleagues.
- You think your client is convinced. But in Germany, "95% right" means: not ready to say yes yet.
What I do for you
Cultural differences you can talk about
I make differences visible and easier to talk about, for example with Erin Meyer's Culture Map. Both teams write their own agreements on how they work together.
Processes and tools that connect
For each area we choose: does it stay as it is, do we merge it, or do we build something new together?
The German way of working
From decision-making and planning to working with German customers and colleagues. I help you understand German business culture and get the most out of the collaboration.
How we work
-
Get to know each other
A free 30-minute online chat about your situation and plans.
-
Seeing both sides
Conversations with your team in the Netherlands and in Germany, and time spent in day-to-day work on both sides of the border. Then we know where the friction is, and why.
-
Agreements made together
In a session with both teams we make differences easier to talk about, for example with the Culture Map. Then we agree on roles, a meeting rhythm and ways of working together.
-
Implement until it works
Step by step, with a clear owner for each change on each side of the border. I stay until it works in practice and both teams carry it themselves.
Experience
What worked before
Six figures a year
saving in production, as estimated by the client.
It looked like a process problem. It turned out to be mainly a cultural one. After the acquisition of a shipyard abroad, start-up issues caused errors, delays and frustration between colleagues from AT, DE and IT. A culture workshop, a new meeting culture and better information flows got the teams on the same page, resulting in fewer production errors and shorter lead times.
Advisory board member,
trusted by the management team with strategic projects.
Responsible for the expansion into the German market and lead of the product management group at a Dutch software company. Also involved in the company's bigger strategic questions, including facilitating strategy sessions with the management team.
What you can expect from me
- A consultant who knows both business cultures from the inside: I grew up in Germany and have lived in the Netherlands since my master's. You can talk to me in Dutch, German or English.
- Support on both sides of the border, until the new way of working comes naturally to both teams. No report that gathers dust, but results in day-to-day work.
- German thoroughness combined with Dutch pragmatism and a can-do mentality: that is exactly the combination I bring to your organisation.
Let's talk, over koffie or Kaffee.
The first call is free: 30 minutes online to talk through your situation. In Dutch, German or English.
Rather ask a question first? Send a message
Want to know more about working together first? Read the frequently asked questions.