It’s okay to dream. But for Pieter, it doesn’t stop there. He’s been working at Alistar for four years now, where every day he strives to strike a balance between vision and reality, ideas and execution. His story proves that you can think big, as long as you also take the steps to make it happen.
“I ended up here after working on the client side,” Pieter explains. “I was already working with the product and felt that I wanted to do more with it. Making the move to Alistar was a logical step for me: closer to the technology and closer to the impact.”
From Practice to Technology
Pieter doesn’t come from a traditional IT background. He began his career at sea and later worked in the maritime sector. He still draws on that experience every day in his work as a consultant. “I understand what goes on on the shop floor. I speak the customer’s language. That means you’re not just building solutions, but you also truly understand why they’re needed.” He believes that combination of practical knowledge and technology is crucial. In the maritime sector, everything revolves around insight and control: from maintenance and planning to costs and monitoring. With tools like Business Central, he helps clients create and maintain that overview.
Thinking big starts with asking the right questions
For Pieter, the difference between a good idea and one that really takes off isn’t in the solution itself, but in the approach. “It’s about gaining buy-in,” he explains. “You first have to understand where an organization stands today and what people need—don’t jump straight to thinking about solutions.”
A good idea only works if you ask the right questions first.
According to him, by listening, slowing down, and allowing room for reflection, you create solutions that really work. “It’s still a human endeavor. Technology helps, but it’s collaboration that determines whether something succeeds.”
Turning Ambition into Results
A good example of this is the transition from legacy systems to Business Central among his client base. Pieter played an active role in this by guiding clients through the change. “At moments like that, you see ideas take shape. You build something together and help clients stay relevant in a rapidly changing market. It almost feels like a partnership.” That way of working—building together, improving step by step—is characteristic of how projects are carried out at Alistar.
Taking risks fosters growth
Pieter is a firm believer in thinking big, but he also knows that the only way to get there is by staying realistic. “You have to allow yourself to dream. But in the end, you turn those dreams into small steps.”
Thinking big is important, but what makes the difference is how you translate that into concrete steps.
You can see that balance in his day-to-day work as well. He constantly shifts between management and the front lines, between a long-term vision and practical solutions. “What does a change mean for the company? But also: what does it mean for the people who have to work with it?”
Room to grow and make an impact
At Alistar, Pieter has the freedom to make a real impact. He’s involved in presales, contributes ideas to product development, and collaborates with customers and colleagues across different teams. “Here, you’re given the space to develop ideas and actually bring them to life. For me, that’s the biggest difference.” This growth is supported by training programs, both technical and personal. “You don’t just learn the tools—you also learn how to make a difference as a consultant.”
Curiosity as a driving force
If he could give one piece of advice to new colleagues, it would be simple: stay curious. “Every day is a learning experience. The more you learn, the more you realize how much there is still to discover.” According to Pieter, that’s also the key to success at Alistar: daring to ask questions, keeping on searching, and continuing to challenge yourself.
What does “Lead beyond wonder” mean to you?
For Pieter, “Lead Beyond Wonder” means looking beyond the technology itself. “New technology can be impressive, even a little overwhelming. But ultimately, it’s about how you bring people along with you.” According to him, it’s about building trust in change. “It’s not just about showing what’s possible, but also helping people get started with it. That’s how you turn wonder into something people can truly build on.”