Process Consulting at Precedence
Niels began his career as a process consultant at an interim and advisory firm specializing in financial functions, optimizing processes within internal finance departments. Although he felt he had much more to learn about process consulting, he decided to make a switch. “I wanted to work more closely with clients and dive deeper into strategic consulting. At that time, Precedence was a small firm consisting solely of process consultants, operating at the intersection of strategy and operations. As we’ve grown, our team has diversified, but our foundation in process expertise remains strong.”
From start-up to scale-up
"Looking back at my early days at Precedence, it feels like we were on a completely different planet. We started as an energetic but unstructured group working out of the lobby of the Crown Plaza Maastricht—no office, minimal documented processes," Niels recalls. "It was an informal environment. Our hiring process reflected that: if we could grab a beer together and you could manage yourself in front of a client, you were in. That casual culture made Precedence special, but it also lacked structure. Now, we’re four times larger, with a beautiful office and solid processes in place. While we’ve maintained our personal touch and informal atmosphere, we now have a professional foundation that allows us to make a real impact."
“The mix of top-notch professionals and an informal atmosphere makes this a place where you can truly grow.”
High-impact projects for major clients
Since joining Precedence, Niels has contributed to impactful projects for major clients. "We focus on optimizing internal processes for companies so they can deliver the best results to their customers. I’ve worked with a diverse range of organizations—from KPN to ING Hypotheken and innovative companies like FleetCor. Each project presents unique challenges. A common challenge is balancing business needs with technical feasibility. The business often wants a high-performance Ferrari with all the bells and whistles, while IT prefers a simple, standardized solution. Our job is to bridge that gap by closely collaborating with both business and IT teams."
“From KPN to ING Hypotheken and innovative players like FleetCor.”
Success through collaboration and communication
"One standout project was T-Mobile’s transformation from an outdated CRM system to Salesforce. It was a massive undertaking, involving a team of 70 people working to rebuild the core of their organization. That experience reinforced an important lesson: success isn’t just about technical solutions—it’s about teamwork and communication. We need to be adaptable and collaborate effectively to achieve our goals. That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my career."
"We ensure that companies function optimally internally, so they can deliver maximum results to the end customer."
Sky’s the limit at Precedence
"What drives me at Precedence is the incredible freedom I have to grow. The idea that ‘the sky’s the limit’ if you’re willing to put in the effort is truly motivating. It’s an amazing team with a strong company culture and dynamic energy. The mix of professional expertise and a friendly, informal atmosphere makes Precedence a place where you can develop your skills and career."
