Sjoerd Langelaar
Guiding organisations through their turning point
Rapid growth, merger & integration or crisis
AI as a lever
Every turning point in an organisation has a price. It rises quickly when it takes too long, stalls, or when people, clients and DNA are lost along the way. Making the breakthrough at that turning point, with pace, clear choices and as little collateral damage as possible: that is my craft. Particularly where different disciplines and interests need to deliver results together.
25+ years of experience in high-value niches and large enterprises.
When to engage?
Rapid growth, scale-up or preparing for sale
Traction is there, but decisions or execution power are lagging behind. I bring scenarios, help you choose, and put the team and the foundations in place. Without losing your DNA, your best people or your focus on clients. And then accelerate!
Merger and integration
The strategic choice has been made, now it has to come together. Not pushing or pulling harder, but first finding out what is really going on. Then I bring content, people and interests together, with a clear execution strategy. Boardroom or shop floor, same day.
Crisis or stagnation
In an organisation, programme or partnership: a lot has already been tried and things are at risk of collapsing. Creating calm, putting facts and opinions side by side and separating them. Setting priorities and making choices. Taking the lead temporarily if needed. Until it is stable and running.
AI as a lever
At every turning point: how does AI add value and how do you apply it, without losing the human side? For hands-on building or training, I refer to others.
Examples
Repositioning a law firm • Post-merger integration in education • Getting cooperation between board members back on track • Sparring partner for entrepreneurs and partners in professional services • Organisational reviews and concrete improvement agendas • Interim management in professional organisations • Developing new propositions • Repositioning a corporate legal department • Getting strategic programmes back on track • Restarting stalled acquisition negotiations • Repositioning, professionalising and growing consultancies (including IT) • Co-trainer AI for lawyers, focused on the business side.
When not?
When there is no pressure or complexity, or you are only looking for someone to execute.
Approach
First seeing through what is going on, with stakeholders and in the market. Short and to the point. Then getting to the core: options, with a concrete path to realise them. Depending on the situation, I advise, take the lead temporarily, or build along for longer as an entrepreneurial leader or partner. Always with a clear goal, mandate and responsibility for the result.
What others say
Sjoerd asks questions that lead to choices and action, almost as if you came up with the answer yourself.
Managing partner, consultancy
Sjoerd always sees a way forward, even when things are stuck, and knows what needs to be done. He rolls up his sleeves and does it with a smile.
Director, large educational institution
Sjoerd quickly sees what is really going on. He recognises patterns and connects the dots between market, strategy, organisation, numbers, people and interests. Rather than looking from the perspective of a single specialism, he looks at the whole. This enables Sjoerd to quickly identify where the opportunities are, what is holding things back and which choices and actions are needed to move forward.
Entrepreneur in professional services
See through complexity > Get to the core > Decide > Execute > Hand over
About me
25+ years of experience. From strategy to realisation.
I am a business economist and entrepreneurial organisation builder. I see the potential of companies and people, and what holds them back. For more than 25 years I have worked as interim director, transformation manager, programme manager, strategic advisor and entrepreneur. Independently, as co-owner and together with consultancy firms.
My experience spans a wide range of sectors: from industry to legal, from healthcare to education and from consultancy to IT. My playing field is mid-sized and large enterprises and high-value niches. That broad experience means I never look at an issue from a single discipline. My strength lies in quickly overseeing the whole, connecting different perspectives and organising decision-making and execution.
With strategic advice I help decision-makers move forward quickly. In the end, it is about execution. That is why, when needed, I am just as happy to roll up my sleeves.
Alongside advice and interim management, I enjoy building companies from small to large.
Privately, I am a father of four, partly grown-up children, and I love speed, sport, the outdoors, beauty and nature.
Contact
Sjoerd Langelaar
Phone: +31 (0)6 53593980
Email: sjoerd@sjoerdlangelaar.nl
Chamber of Commerce: 09145159
VAT: NL813756480B01