Written by Consultancy.co.uk
The Next Organisation has welcomed a new strategic consultant to the team: Tobias de Beer.
"It was a step I have been looking forward to immensely," says Tobias, who previously completed a master's degree in Strategic Management (specialisation: consultancy) and a bachelor's degree in Technical Business Administration.
"With this background, I knew for some time that I wanted to go into consultancy. During my studies, I worked several times on consultancy cases and experienced what it is like to analyse strategic issues and come up with solutions. Those experiences made me more and more convinced: this is the direction in which I want to develop further."
Before his move to The Next Organisation, Tobias worked as a product and sales engineer in the maritime and bulk handling industry. "There I learned how to sell successfully in an international market and how technical and commercial processes influence each other. My background has taught me to understand both worlds and to speak the language of engineers as well as sales and management teams."
Building bridges
He also noted that building bridges between different disciplines gives him a lot of energy, and that this would be a valuable skill in consultancy. For instance, it helps him to ask the right questions.
"What drives me is thinking about the future," he explains. "How do you ensure that a company is successful not only now, but also in five, 10 or even 20 years' time? What strategic choices do you need to make to be prepared for changes in the market, technology and society?"
During his master's, he already delved into these issues and discovered how important it is not only to devise strategy, but also to make it executable with and for the people in an organisation. "My main interest in this is sustainability, technology and the role of employees in realising strategies."
Strategy and implementation
After graduating, Tobias started his search for a consultancy firm that would be a good fit for him. "I knew I was looking for a place where strategic thinking goes hand in hand with practical implementation. The combination of boutique organisation with international orientation and assignments in different sectors at The Next Organisation appealed to me greatly."
Tobias has now been on the road for several weeks. He looks back on a pleasant start: "From day one, I was involved in projects and given the space to think and contribute. That motivates me enormously. Colleagues take the time to answer questions and share knowledge. That made me feel at home here very quickly."
Above all, he is looking forward to what the future holds. "I look forward to developing further as a consultant in the coming period and working with my colleagues to make an impact with our clients."