Leandro Maebe

10 brutal truths on running a consulting firm specialising in Product Management. 4 years ago, I candidly launched a consulting firm. I had 0 experience in consulting but a decent startup experience. Fast-forward: We’re nearly 30 in the firm, have advised some of the most successful Belgian startups, and guide large groups in implementing product operating models. Here are 10 brutal truths about our journey: 1. Launching a consulting firm is easy. The bigger you get, the more challenging it becomes. 2. Bad deals are worse than no deals. Soon or late, they’ll hit you back. 3. Cash is king. Cutting too much on your gross margin is a race to the bottom. 4. It’s in times of trouble that you find your best people. 5. It’s sometimes very challenging to apply internally what we preach externally. 6. The smaller the company, the more trouble. Surprisingly, large companies pay on time, have fair contracts and never abuse their positions. 7. While the product management maturity is still low in most companies we meet, the maturity gap between startups and large corporations is getting thinner. 8. Outstanding work and word of mouth are our largest growth source by far. 9. Unreasonable tech investment in the period 21-23 is striking companies with budget cuts and bad practices instilled. 10. The biggest challenges are always the ones to come.

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🚀 What is it like to start your journey in the High Tech Industry Traineeship? For Sam Boeijen and Bart Pronk, it means diving into real projects, rotating through departments like R&D and Operations, and getting all the coaching and training they need to grow professionally and personally. Curious about their experience so far? Read the full interview via the first link in the comments👇 #traineeship #hightech #kickstartyourcareer #youngprofessional

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🍻 BERO: More than a drink, a movement Tom Holland’s BERO isn’t just another celebrity product launch. It’s a cultural shift in how we socialize—and proof that brand-building in 2025 is about much more than the product itself. Here’s why BERO is working: 🎯 Field marketing done right BERO didn’t just show up on shelves—it showed up in the right places. Wimbledon, music festivals, golf courses, summer socials. They knew that to succeed, the drink had to get into as many hands as possible, in environments where people were already reaching for a beer. 📱 Social as community, not billboard Every day, BERO is amplifying customer stories—turning buyers into brand advocates. Tom may boost visibility, but the real engine is how the brand interacts with its consumers. 🌍 Solving a cultural problem Not drinking at a picnic, concert, or post-round hangout can feel isolating. BERO removes that tension by creating an option that adds to social moments rather than replacing or diminishing them. It’s not about “missing out”—it’s about belonging. ✨ Celebrity-backed, but not celebrity-dependent Plenty of stars launch products as side hustles. Tom and his team built BERO differently. His presence feels personal, but the brand doesn’t rely on him alone—it stands as a well-crafted, intentional business with staying power. 📊 Proven by numbers - Avg engagement rate: 3.15% (vs. 1.4% for Coors Light and 0.27% for Heineken) - 15.4M+ total views across content - Posts with Tom perform only ~2% higher engagement — proof that the brand itself (not just the celebrity face) drives success What excites me most about BERO is that it isn’t trying to be the main character. Instead, it enhances culture—sliding naturally into experiences we already love. As someone who doesn’t drink, I find their approach not only refreshing (literally) but culturally important. It proves that when field marketing, social storytelling, and authentic brand building collide, you don’t just sell a product—you create a movement. And honestly? I haven’t even tried the drinks yet, but I already want their branded golf tees. That’s when you know the brand building is next-level. 💡 What celebrity/athlete brand should I tackle next?

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