“The MBA taught me to dig deeper and not be easily satisfied – the real issue is often hidden in unexpected places.”
Maarten Sijberts, Senior Business Advisor, Newtone
A shift in thinking
Maarten Sijberts joined the MBA programme at Business School Netherlands with a clear goal: to move beyond gut instinct and start leading with clarity and depth. Working as a senior advisor at Newtone, he supports entrepreneurs with strategy, finance, and business transfers. But he realised that effective leadership takes more than experience – it takes perspective, structure, and curiosity.
Why BSN?
After completing a post-graduate diploma in Business Administration, Maarten chose BSN for its Action Learning approach and fast-track option. But what truly convinced him was the network.
“I didn’t want to sit in a room full of accountants and consultants. I wanted to learn from people in different industries,” he explains. “That variety presented me with new ways of thinking.”
From gut feeling to strategic leadership
One of Maarten’s main goals was to ground his intuition in solid knowledge and practical tools.
“I wanted to approach strategic decisions with more structure. The MBA helped me understand the importance of asking the right questions, engaging stakeholders, and building a shared direction.”
The programme’s strong practical element and the support of peers made a lasting impression. “We worked hard, but always with a sense of purpose and mutual support. That made the difference.”
The power of Action Learning
A key takeaway from the programme? Don’t settle for the first answer.
“Problems often lie deeper than you think. Action Learning taught me to keep asking, keep testing, and involve others in the process.”
Solving real organisational challenges in teams helped Maarten develop creative and sustainable strategies. It also reminded him that leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about unlocking solutions together.
Dissertation: putting the customer first
For his final project, Maarten tackled a big shift within his organisation – moving from selling services to delivering integrated customer-focused solutions.
“Instead of offering separate products, we started asking: what does the client really need? That shift helped us create meaningful value.”
By working towards shared goals with the client at the centre, Maarten and his team developed a more effective and engaging approach.
Results that go beyond the classroom
The insights from the MBA helped reshape strategy at Newtone, but the impact didn’t stop there.
“It’s also changed how I work personally. I listen more. I ask better questions. And I don’t rush to solutions before understanding the full picture.”
Maarten values how BSN brings current themes into the classroom and encourages students to use them in their work.
“That keeps the programme relevant and future-focused.”
Looking ahead
Maarten continues to see value in the alumni network and wants to keep learning from others in the BSN community.
“There’s so much knowledge among the alumni. If we keep sharing that, we all benefit.”
