Why Maisters Is a Special Client for Us
At Summiteers, we work with many different organizations on strategy execution. But there’s one client we’re especially proud of: Maisters. It’s a collaboration that enriches us as an organization and one we’d like to reflect on. In this article, Summiteers’ Paul van Bekkum and Dolf L’Ortye share what makes this client relationship so special.
What Is Maisters?
Maisters is a young professional program that offers talents with 2–5 years of work experience a unique 2.5-year development journey. During this period, they complete three different assignments of about ten months each at various organizations. Every Friday, they follow an intensive training program and receive on-the-job guidance from an experienced consultant. After completing the program, most Maisters move into a permanent role—often at one of the organizations where they’ve worked. Maisters is a sister company of Summiteers.
A Client to Be Proud Of
“Maisters is a very special client for us,” says Paul. “We deliver most of their training program—three sessions a month over the course of 2.5 years. In addition, our senior consultants closely coach the Maisters during their assignments. But it goes beyond training and coaching. We genuinely believe Maisters offers a completely unique concept in the Netherlands.”
Dolf adds: “There’s no other traineeship or secondment program that supports young professionals with work experience so intensively. The added value for Maisters’ clients is tremendous. For the price of a regular secondment, they get a highly skilled professional who’s guided by a Summiteers consultant. That means Maisters can take on far more complex challenges than regular trainees. They also spread the learning within the organization—for example, by sharing key insights with colleagues or running their own short training sessions.”
What Clients Tell Us
Organizations that work with Maisters are enthusiastic about the combination. “We keep hearing what a golden formula it is,” says Paul. “A driven young professional who can handle complex challenges, supported by an experienced consultant. Clients especially appreciate that these professionals are so consciously focused on their growth. They want to learn, develop, and make an impact. They bring energy!”
“Maisters aren’t given simple tasks—they’re tackling tough challenges,” Dolf explains. “Because we act as their sparring partner, they’re able to take on projects that might otherwise be out of reach. That creates tremendous value for organizations.”
What We Learn from Maisters
For the Summiteers who act as coaches, this collaboration is a valuable learning experience. “Our consultants have to learn to coach instead of direct,” Dolf explains. “At first, they often find it challenging not to take charge—telling someone to ‘build this Excel model’ or ‘check in with that stakeholder.’ But the Maister is in a learning process and should find their own way. It takes practice to let go.”
Paul adds: “It’s an indirect but deeply instructive way of working. Our consultants need to understand the challenge without leading the project themselves. That requires a different skill set. We’re so focused on making an impact for clients that we sometimes forget we’re guiding someone who’s still learning.”
A Long-Term Relationship
“These are people with strong self-reflection and lots of energy—they’re doers,” says Paul. “Professionals who can work autonomously and are placed with clients at a relatively young age. They’re just great people to work with.”
The partnership has evolved into what Dolf calls “a symbiotic relationship.” “It broadens our range. When a strategic project leads to a long-term implementation need, a Maister often fits perfectly. And vice versa—when a Maister encounters a short, intensive challenge, they refer to us.”
Paul concludes: “During the week, they’re clients we train and coach. But at Friday drinks, they feel like colleagues. That dynamic perfectly captures the special bond we have. We hope this relationship will last for many years to come.”
Want to know more about Maisters?
Visit maisters.nl or contact us for an introductory conversation.
