ANNETTE EIKMANS
Member Profile: ANNETTE EIKMANS
may 2005
Name: ANNETTE EIKMANS
Position: Owner (independent consultant)
Company: INTER-CONNECTIE
e-mail: mail(at)inter-connectie.com
Web: www.inter-connectie.com
FACT FILE | |
Main business areas: Fundraising Consultancy, specialising in EU Funding | Date business started: 1992 |
Number of consultancy staff: 1 | Countries of operation: Netherlands , Germany, Spain, Italy, France. |
THE BUSINESS
What range of clients do you serve?
I serve a wide range of clients from very small to really quite large organisations in the fields of education, medicine and culture. I also work with associations, charities and NGOs in general. My clients are always exclusively non-profit organisations.
How has your business evolved since it was started?
At the beginning I really had to work very hard, not trying to find clients, but trying to find the hours to service them. I then gained valuable experience in concentrating a lot of my time and effort in working together with one very large client for a few years. When this project came to an end, it was like having to start over again, which proved a real challenge. I now try to balance my work more evenly, providing consultancy services for a variety of clients at the same time, which is always fascinating.
Where will your consultancy be in a few years time?
At this stage, it looks like my consultancy work in respect of European funding will grow to become my main source of income. However, I would also like to continue working with small charities and cultural organisations. I want to try and keep the work varied, while continuing to concentrate on fundraising and EU subsidies. In addition, following the success of a recent project where I liaised between a charity and an organisation putting on an annual jazz festival, it would be interesting to develop this work in matching up different parties with common interests.
Which opportunities and threats do you see for your work in the sector and for the development of NPOs?
As a consultant, one’s own personal knowledge and networks play a very important part in opening up opportunities in the sector. Experience gained over the years of working in the non-profit world gives you a broader world view. Clients will increasingly expect added-value in the future, because people are getting more and more specialised. So there will definitely be opportunities to support clients who need creative, wide-ranging solutions.
Which sources of information do you find most useful in your business?
The publications produced by the Association of Fundraising Professionals are very good. The Dutch Fundraising Magazine is also useful.
EUCONSULT MEMBERSHIP
Why did you join EUConsult?
Working in a number of different countries, membership of EUConsult appealed to me because I thought it would be very useful in helping me to widen my networks. Networking is essential to me, especially as a sole trader. EUConsult provides the added value that is important in such an organisation. Bringing together a group of people with different interests, the Association gives members a very good perspective on the non-profit sector as a whole, but of course especially in Europe.
With which other EUConsult members have you found the opportunity to cooperate on projects?
Not at the moment, but I have not been active in this area so far.
BACKGROUND INFO
Where and what did you study?
I studied Marketing at a private institute in Nijmegen.
How did you first get involved in NPO consultancy?
I was invited to become a member of the organising committee for the Olympic Games for the disabled to be held in Arnhem. In 1980, after working for two years on the committee, a decision was made to establish an international fund for sport for the disabled. The main task was to get all of the world sports organisations together and establish the Paralympic Games Committee. I then worked with Charity Connections on a fundraising campaign in England and Scotland, which led to the establishment of the company in the Netherlands. I subsequently set up my own business under the name of Inter-Connectie.
What interests you most about staying in the field?
Firstly, I really enjoy the challenge. At the beginning it was very exciting because the work was so new in the Netherlands. I still enjoy the challenge and especially like the variety that comes with being a consultant. For example, it’s really rewarding trying to find funds for developing a website for trauma patients, while liaising between a jazz festival and a charity, and also working on an EU subsidy application for a youth organisation. This kind of variety really keeps me happy, and when I am happy I work well.
What do you do to relax and forget your consultancy work? I do like to watch TV, although I’m not an addict! I enjoy the ballet and theatre, and I love to read. I also have a two year old nephew, who keeps me active.
