Empowering Digital Transformation from Within | Enabling AI-Ready Teams & Smarter Processes | Helping German Firms Build In-House Capability
Companies dabble with new enabling technologies well and some not – 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁. With AI every vendor has a new capability, a new Deck, the best team, larger promises. For me, it is an enabler and it is the trigger for me to go where it matters most—𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲. After years on the vendor and freelance side, I’m making this career move. In two weeks, I join a Client organisation full-time, taking on a Permanent role to drive and support 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻—not just advise from the sidelines. Why? Because 𝗔𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁. Clients with the right in-house teams are moving faster, cutting reliance on external partners, and owning their change agendas. I’ve seen it happening—and it is time for me to switch. The role? A Microsoft D365 / Power Platform environment I know well. Three days a week 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲. A 15-minute 𝗯𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲. Back with a team, shoulder to shoulder, where the 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗲𝘆𝗲-𝘁𝗼-𝗲𝘆𝗲 daily. After 20+ years in transformation, now feels like the perfect time to switch sides and shift gears. Anyone else feeling this pull? I𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰𝘰?
Congrats, Mark! (and the lucky ones having you fulltime😉) I fully understand (and totally agree on) what you’re talking about 👍 Yes, I felt that pull too…and finally after decades did the switch from vendor to client last year too. It’s been an amazing experience since then, so much more you can impact than from the sidelines…pushing „customer value“ to such a bigger picture…🤩 So fasten your seatbelt and enjoy your ride…I’m sure you gonna rock it…🚀
Interesting perspective mate. Good luck! Are you sure you’re not using AI to make you look younger on photos too! 😁
All the best Mark 💐
Well done Mark.. sounds like a great opportunity. As for the shift to client side, it seems a common theme. AI and other advanced technologies have definitely changed client / partner relationships.. so many companies have superb internal development teams these days. In the recruitment industry we have also seen AI and tech enable customers to handle more talent acquisition in house …have toyed with the idea of going client side myself in recent years. The times they are a-changing
Love this, Mark. What a great move—and so true: the real magic happens when you're close to the action, side by side with the team. After so many years of seeing transformation from every angle and all over the world, this feels like a perfect next step for you. Wishing you lots of inspiration and joy as you dive into this new role. Can’t wait to hear what unfolds!
What a post ! Love how you positioned your change . Good luck!!
Good luck in your new role, Mark
Wow Big move Mark! Best wishes you will kill it!
Congratulations Mark, It sounds like a great opportunity to bring all the transformation experience you have gained over the years to to implement D365 and the power platform. As you have mentioned in previous posts, AI is fundamentally disruptive, changing organizational business strategies, USPs and ways of working. Focusing on data quality and agentic software will massively improve business operations, and puts the business in the right place to implement effective working models while allowing people time to learn and develop their AI skills. ERP and SCM are massively changing, especially when you consider future AI-AI interactions. The practical skills from implementing real world examples and transformation experience means you will be well placed to help them; and knowing you, they are lucky to have you. Good Luck!
Group Directeur Général Adjoint et Managing Director Triogen at BIO-UV Group
2moCongratulations Mark. I made the switch 6 1/2 years ago after more than 12 years of consulting and interim roles. I much prefer client side because the consultant work is done, just when the execution becomes interesting. Hands on leadership from the front is where the challenges and rewards are.