Jan van Berkel
Member Profile: Jan van Berkel
january 2004
Name: Jan van Berkel
Position: Managing Director
Company: Zalpha van Berkel
e-mail: jvanberkel(at)zalpha.nl
Web: http://www.zalpha.nl/
FACT FILE | |
Main business areas: Marketing and communications, focusing on not-for-profit clients | Date business started: 2002 |
Number of consultancy staff: 3 | Countries of operation: Netherlands, Belgium |
THE BUSINESS
What range of clients do you serve?
We do a lot of work for charities and associations, welfare organisations, eg an umbrella organisation taking care of the homeless, plus clients in education.
How has your business evolved since it was started?
I had been working as a consultant in the sector for six years, when I decided to set up my own firm in May 2002, so we are at a fairly early stage of evolution.
Where will your consultancy be in a few years time?
I would like to build the business up to a level of about 10 consultants, and continue to focus on charities and other NGO clients. The agency is part of the WWAV Rapp Collins Group, and we have colleagues working in the UK for Zalpha. They are strong in branding strategy and in the field of data consultancy. In Holland we have concentrated on the branding side so far and would like to develop the data consultancy side to make connections between the two strategies of branding and data consultancy. At the moment these fields are mostly dealt with separately, but we feel that there is lot to be gained by making connections between the two.
Which opportunities and threats do you see for your work in the sector and for the development of NPOs?
As far as opportunities are concerned, I see an increasing need to be clear on branding policy. Charities are now seeing that the market is becoming more and more saturated, so it is becoming much more important to be clear about your brand. The only threat I can think of right now is not recognising and taking opportunities that arise, because if I don't take them, others will.
EUCONSULT MEMBERSHIP
Why did you join EUConsult?
We were looking to develop our own professional network and to find possibilities for cooperation with other consultancies.
BACKGROUND INFO
Where and what did you study?
I studied Economics at Rotterdam University, specialising in development economics for third world countries.
How did you first get involved in NPO consultancy?
I worked for Novib (the Dutch Oxfam) as Director of Campaigns and was responsible for repositioning the brand. This was a very challenging and interesting project, which led to my decision to become a consultant.
What interests you most about staying in the field?
Being a consultant is really very interesting, because it is always a challenge to very quickly analyse and understand the business of my clients. In the morning solving problems in healthcare, and in the afternoon looking at the international aid sector. The continuous change of atmosphere is very stimulating. I have worked in the third sector for all of my professional life - which means working with people who are trying to change the world and improve societies. Therefore my work is always a socially relevant activity and this provides great personal motivation.
What do you do to relax and forget your consultancy work?
I sing in a choir - I'm a tenor. I also enjoy jogging and cycling, and of course family life keeps me busy too.
