About Folkert Mulder Ph.D.
Folkert Mulder Company – Insight and inspiration to excel –
Amsterdam area | Management Consulting
Folkert Mulder
As the founder of the business, Folkert Mulder’s primary role is to facilitate organisational transformation and strategy redirection. His special talent lies in establishing trust within organisations and in mastering group dynamics. Folkert has the experience and insight to understand what individuals and organisations need.
Folkert holds a Ph.D. in new forms of leadership and a Master’s degree with honors of excellence in business economics form Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and a Master’s degree from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.
Prior to founding his own company, Folkert worked as a consultant for an international consulting company involved in a variety of strategic and due diligence projects throughout Europe and the US.
Facilitating organisational transformation and strategy redirection
Folkert successfully support companies in developing their business across industries and geographies. Examples include top-tier businesses in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), professional service firms, financial institutions and major energy companies in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Besides managing strategy formation and organisational development, Folkert facilitated several post-merger integration processes within different industries. He works for management boards and staff, but also advise shareholders and supervisory board members.
In addition to working for a wide range of first-class companies and management teams, Folkert facilitates top-flight sport teams. Teams he inspired to excel were a golf team that won the World Championship, a sailing team that was the HCP winner of the prestigious Sydney Hobart Rolex Yacht Race and a Dutch field hockey team who became national premier league champions two years in a row. Folkert has been part of the coaching staff of the Dutch men’s national field hockey team in preparation for the Olympic Games.
Folkert serves as a board member of the Erasmus Centre for Leadership at Rotterdam School of Management and of the Development Board of the Erasmus Trust Fund Foundation.
Folkert lectures at Erasmus University Rotterdam on the MBA and Executive Programs on organizational change. Besides lecturing, he is a speaker at conferences.
Outperformance becomes a core company value.
References: FolkertMulder.com/Testimonials, LinkedIN. More references can also be provided on request
Integrated organizations
Folkert Mulder has a deep belief that companies are built by individuals who can turn their passion and energy into a collective force, to create great organizations able to deliver special results. When individuals know where the company is heading and they know their own contribution is of the greatest importance, there will be a leap in consciousness. That is when the true potential of a company can be awakened.
Successful organizations and leaders have the ability to inspire others on why, what, and how, based on their beliefs and convictions. In other words, they are able to explain why we do what we do. Their actions are driven by a high degree of authenticity, enabling them to hone the talents of their employees and to bind their partners and clients. This sets them apart from their competitors, laying the foundations for an outperforming organization. This creates a culture in which organizations succeed in getting the best out of themselves, enabling their employees, partners and customers to identify with the prevailing beliefs. This makes for outperforming companies that outshine the competition in every respect.
Outperformance becomes a company value.
Integrated organizations II (Digital transformation)
These days, companies often need to address organizational development in the context of digitalization. Digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how you operate and deliver value. It’s also a cultural change that requires organizations to challenge the status quo and experiment continually. Digital transformation requires a cultural change that involves a shift in leadership thinking to continually challenging the status quo, encouraging innovation, and the introduction of new business models.
The digital agenda is fundamentally about people. The execution of a successful digital agenda starts with a mindset shift within teams and organizations that places a heightened emphasis on people to effect positive and sustainable change. With that, digital transformation needs transformational leaders. Transformational leaders can be characterized by engaging, empowering, and energizing their people.
“Any company can digitally transform in their way. However, they should remember one thing: if they make every other change, but employees are not empowered, the digital transformation will not be successful. Empowering people is the key to achieving profound and lasting digital transformation that provides sustainable growth and inclusion.”
Source: World Economic Forum
Clients
Below is a list of some of the clients in recent years. Generally speaking, Folkert tend to work with clients for a longer period in order to achieve meaningful results and to ensure commitment within the organization. For further information, please see the testimonials. When starting an assignment, Folkert often put the client in touch with some of my previous or current clients so that the new client can get a better idea of how he works and what results can be expected.
- Companies
- Ahold-Delhaize
- BayWa AG
- Blokker
- Mercedes AG
- SHV Holding
- Heineken International (PMI’s APB, S&N)
- Heineken Out of Home / Marketing teams
- Heineken Germany, Tsjechië, Honk Kong
- Heineken Innovation & BeerSystems
- Brau Union International
- RWE/Essent (PMI)
- SHV Energy
- ONE-Dyas
- ING
- Dutch Central Bank (DNB)
- Autoriteit Financiële Markten
- NIBC
- FMO ontwikkelingsbank
- ING
- Rabobank
- Loyens & Loeff
- Kennedy Van der Laan
- Boekel de Neree (Dentons)
- Hospitals (Waterland/Rijnland ziekenhuis)
- Heutink
- Pouwerhouse (PMI)
- PetsPlace
- Varo (Argos Energies)
- Cefetra
- NobleBio
- Eneco
- O’Neill
- Bencis
- EPS
- Eden Hotel Group
- WTS Energy
Sport Teams
- The Netherlands’ national Men’s field hockey team (Olympic Games)
- The Netherlands’ national women’s field hockey team
- Amsterdam Men’s Field Hockey Team (Championships)
- NGF Top Golf (World Champion)
- Winsome sailing team (HCP Winner Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race)
Testimonials
“Folkert has successfully completed two projects for Euro Pool System (EPS) in the past two years, first for the Supervisory Board and later as the interim CEO for the EPS organization. During these two different assignments Folkert proved to be an outstanding consultant and CEO, one who has the ability to fathom complex issues while at the same time having the drive and expertise to take decisions and focus on the result. Folkert is engaging, inspirational and a true team player. On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board of EPS we would like to thank Folkert for all the work he has done for us during the past two years.”
— Chairman (Klaus Lutz, CEO of BayWa) and Vice Chairman (Franky Depickere, Board member of the KBC Group)
“I have come to know Folkert as an extraordinary consultant who brings with him a fresh look on complex issues. Alongside his analytical skills, he is an excellent judge of character and has the ability to win over people and to bring about real change. I can warmly recommend Folkert.”
— Roland Pechtold, CEO at NOVA Terminals
“Folkert coached my Management Team in the process of further aligning the organization to reflect the ambitious targets we have set. Based on interviews with the Management Team, he presented a good analysis of the organization. On the basis of that analysis, he introduced refreshing ideas on how to improve the interaction between the various departments. In line with a newly established vision statement, we have implemented those ideas releasing lot’s of energy in the organization.”
— Govert Rietema, Director The Netherlands, Primagaz Benelux
“Folkert successfully supported both the Post Merger Integration of ESSENT and RWE (REN) and that of Powerhouse/Westland. Folkert’s strength lies in his clear insight into the organization, what it needs and how those needs can be met. This enables him to engage the organization in the changes and at the same time empower the organization. As a result, the two integrations were very successful.”
Top qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative
— Marc van Putte
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant, and hired Folkert more than once
“As integration manager at RWE/ESSENT B2B, I have worked very closely with Folkert in order to ensure the success of the integration process. Folkert coached our new management team and the organization in the transition to an unified new organization. His strength lies in his ability to involve the organization in the direction it needs and to facilitate organizational alignment so that we have achieve the aims we have set ourselves.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative
–Rutger Ockhuizen
Hired Folkert as a Coaching, and hired Folkert more than once
“I have worked with Folkert on a number of projects, and what has struck me each time is his ability to create trust and commitment in the organization, and so, by developing a shared perspective, allowing it actually to deliver. In the case of a number of projects, Folkert has made substantial contributions which have resulted in best practices being introduced within the organization”
— Daniel de Jonge
General Manager Brau Union International, Heineken Central u0026amp; Eastern Europe
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant, and hired Folkert more than once
“Folkert has the uncanny ability to reduce apparently complex relationships to their core components. In doing so, he creates scope to devise a shared perspective based on trust. Folkert is a great person to work with. He had a positive influence on people around him. Energy, humor and competence are his characteristcs. We hope to be able to continue to benefit from his drive and knowledge. Erna Baars, President CEO Waterland Hospital Purmerend”
Top qualities: Personable, High Integrity, Creative
— Erna Baars
President CEO Waterland Hospital Purmerend
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant, and hired Folkert more than once
“Folkert has a clear insight into the dynamics of organizations, and is able to solve compl ex problems. One of his talents is his ability to quickly elicit the commitment of people to doing what has to be done!”
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert
— Floris Cobelens
Marketing Manager Heineken
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant, and hired Folkert more than once
“Folkert helped the partners our firm in creating and confirming a shared vision of our firm’s future. Folkert combines high likeability with a deep understanding of complex issues. This rare combination allows him to be succesful with both early adopters and skeptics. Highly recommended!”
Top qualities: Great Results, High Integrity, Creative
— Joost Linnemann
Managing Partner at Kennedy Van der Laan
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant
“Folkert is a highly energetic individual, who by listening carefully is able to penetrate quickly to the core of an issue. He connects easy with people creating a positive working environment. By relating information from the organization to his own insights, he is able to suggest surprising solutions. I will work with Folkert again and recommend his services and skills to any company looking for refeshing ways to conduct business and lining up the team to achieve those goals Eppo van Berckelaer Global Marketing Director O’Neill”
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative
— Eppo Van Berckelaer
Global Marketing Director at O’Neill
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant, and hired Folkert more than once
“Folkert is able to get the maximum out of organizations by giving employees the believe that THEY are the ones that WILL make the difference.”
Top qualities: Personable, Good Value, Creative
— Ronald den Elzen
Wholesale; On-Premise Director at Heineken Nederland
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant
“Folkert has the ability to create alignment and trust within an organization by facilitating a process in which the organization itself works to create a clear context for the direction and interaction within that organization.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Good Value, Creative
— Elmer De Boer
Manager Marktet; Regulations at ENECO Energie
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant, and hired Folkert more than once
“Folkert is capable of bringing out the best in people, through inspiration, out-of-the-box thinking and an innate ability to understand and manage complex inter-personal relationships.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative
— Karen Kao
Partner at Kennedy Van der Laan
Hired Folkert as a Business Consultant
“In the run-up to the legendary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, coached by Folkert Mulder we focused a lot on the goals we wanted to set as a team and on planning the collaboration on board, with a specific emphasis on the composition of the team and how we could get the best out of one another and thus from the team as a whole. Due partly to this intensive preparation, we won the race in our class. An extraordinary result!
— Frank van Beuningen
“Folkert has a clear insight into what organizations need to excel. He supported NGF TopGolf in the development of a state-of-the-art organization in order to get the maximum out of players and staff. The result was a first ever winner of the World Golf Championship”
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative
— Jeroen Stevens
Chairman Dutch Golf Federation
Sports Teams
Besides working for a wide range of first-class companies and management teams, we successfully facilitate sports teams as a metaphor for what you can establish within organisations. Teams we inspired to excel were a top-flight golf team that won the World Championship, a sailing team that was the HCP winner of the prestigious Sydney Hobart Rolex Yacht Race and a Dutch field hockey team who became twice national premier league champions.
In addition, Folkert has been part of the coaching staff of the Dutch men’s and women’s national field hockey team in preparation for the Olympic Games. Together with the coaching staff, he developed a blueprint for the team based on a clear direction and interaction. To further build on the emotional capital in the team, they developed a programme with the Dutch special forces to train them in leadership skills, communication and perseverance.
Sport cases are often used in assignments for companies and management teams because they appeal to the imagination. Additionally, a lot can be learned from sport in terms of a well-functioning team, team dynamics, and development.
Research LAB
Folkert has a Ph.D. from the Erasmus University Rotterdam, ranked among the top-tier research institutions in the world. Folkert’s research focuses on “New Forms of Leadership in Sports Teams and Politics” and the effect of building emotional capital in teams and organizations. The research provides new insights into real-life cases by addressing the underlying dynamics within teams and organizations. A new research project was launched in 2024 to investigate the leadership role of the conductor in relation to the orchestra.
As part of his Ph.D. project, the research takes a deep dive into ‘leadership in the plural’- a concept borne out of the need to address the complex, interconnected challenges in today’s global business and societal contexts. This study challenges the traditional hierarchical frameworks and champions a plural leadership approach that enhances collaboration within teams and across groups. Focusing on professional sports teams, the study reveals how pluralistic leadership naturally unfolds in environments where interdependence and distinctive leadership traits are critical. These findings offer strategic insights for businesses and other organizations to manage complexity through collective leadership approaches effectively. Furthermore, the research extends to the shift from vertical to horizontal leadership structures, adding valuable knowledge to the broader discourser of intergroup leadership in various contexts.
Folkert lectures at Erasmus University Rotterdam and the University of Cologne, teaching MBA and Executive Programs on organizational change. Besides lecturing, he is a speaker at conferences and for companies. Folkert is a member of the advisory board of the Erasmus Centre for Leadership at Rotterdam School of Management and of the Development Board of the Erasmus Trust Fund Foundation.
Contact
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Folkert Mulder Landline: +31(0) 23 737 015 42 |