nilsjeners consulting

You know that moment when everything just clicks? When you realize you're exactly where you're meant to be? That's where I am right now as a self-employed consultant.

It's not about the glamorous "laptop lifestyle" that floods your social media feeds. It's about something far more valuable: alignment.

Here's what that looks like for me:

- Collaborating with clients who inspire me and challenge my thinking
- Experiencing a constant stream of learning through different industries, company cultures, and business challenges
- Building meaningful relationships across various organizations and sectors
- Having the flexibility to be there for my family and kids

Every new project is like opening a different book, each with its own story, characters, and lessons. The beauty? I get to write my own chapter in each one.

The best part? This isn't a destination - it's an evolving journey. Each new company, each new challenge, each new culture adds another layer to my professional DNA.

Innovation Management and Agile Business Design

TH Köln

I teach several courses at the Technical University of Cologne:
- Business Design in the Master's program Media Informatics
- Cooperation Systems in the Master’s program Web Science

Adjunct Professor

Technical University of Munich

A coincidence of my consulting position was teaching in the Executive MBA program at Technical University of Munich (TUM). 

My students? Up to C-level executives and senior managers who challenge every concept, question every assumption. They force me to evolve my teaching with each batch. Their real-world experience adds layers to theoretical frameworks that no textbook could provide.

The best moments? When a student's perspective completely shifts my own understanding of a concept I've taught for years. That's the magic of executive education - everyone in the room is both teacher and student.

It reminds me: True expertise isn't about having all the answers. It's about staying curious enough to recognize that every interaction is a learning opportunity.

Uniper

Ever notice how learning curves flatten over time? That moment when your daily "aha!" moments become monthly, then yearly? That's not stagnation - that's your growth compass pointing to change.

My entrepreneurial heart was beating louder again, but this time, I was determined to make a smarter exit. No dramatic leaps - just strategic steps.

A one-year interim management contract, three days a week. Simple math: that left two days to build my freelance practice. Who said transitions had to be cliff jumps?

But here's the plot twist: Those years in an 11,000-employee corporate giant? Pure gold. They taught me three invaluable lessons:

The View from Inside: Transforming from "outside consultant" to "internal manager" completely rewired my understanding of corporate dynamics. I earned corporate DNA: Understanding how large organizations actually work (not how consultants think they work) became my secret weapon. Network Architecture: Learning to build and leverage vast corporate networks - a skill that pays dividends daily in my freelance life.

Sometimes, the best way to embrace your entrepreneurial spirit is to first master the system you're leaving.

Innovation Consultant (external)

Orange Hills GmbH

When my startup hit a dead end, so did I. Rock bottom makes every path look equally appealing - or terrifying. One wrong turn could have sent me spiraling into a completely different career trajectory.

But here's what made all the difference: I didn't just accept the first lifeline thrown my way. Before joining a boutique consulting firm, I met EVERY. SINGLE. EMPLOYEE. Yes, you read that right. Because when you're rebuilding, the foundation matters more than the facade.

What I discovered was more than a job - it was a masterclass in everything I wish I'd known during my startup days:

- A methodical framework that addressed precisely where my startup had stumbled
- A team where every single person had something unique to teach
- The ability to dive deep into multiple industries, each with its own lessons

The irony? Sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to build something stronger. Those startup "failures" became valuable war stories in consulting. That entrepreneurial spirit? It transformed into innovative solutions for clients.

Years later, I realize that not knowing what comes next isn't a weakness - it's an opportunity to adapt and grow. Every industry, every project, every challenge adds another tool to your toolkit.

Senior Innovation Consultant

Qwingo – Sports & Performance Analysis

My $0 MBA: What building (and failing) a startup taught me

I am enthusiastic about creating things and didn't want to make innovation solely. That burning desire led me from the structured halls of academia into the wild west of startup life. Little did I know I was enrolling in what I now call my "Private MBA" - except this one came with real stakes and real consequences.

The highs? Landing that dream client everyone in the industry knows. The lows? Watching my company hit a dead end. But here's the thing about startup life - every moment, even failure, is a masterclass in business.

Three expensive lessons I'll never forget:

1. Diversity isn't a buzzword - it's survival. We were three IT nerds with similar mindsets. Great for tech talk, terrible for challenging assumptions. Today, I know: diverse perspectives aren't just nice to have - they're essential for innovation.
2. Tight budgets are secret weapons. When resources are scarce, you learn to execute fast, think lean, and never lose sight of your goals. No theoretical framework can teach you what a dwindling bank account can.
3. Product development isn't just about the product. Building from scratch taught me that great products aren't built in isolation - they're born from understanding markets, users, and business models simultaneously.

Years later, these lessons still shape every business decision I make. Sometimes the most valuable education comes without a diploma.

Founder & CEO

RWTH Aachen University

What seemed like a formal transition to RWTH Aachen turned into one of the most transformative chapters of my professional journey.

As a research assistant, I discovered three passions that would shape my career forever:

First, the joy of teaching returned to my life. There's something magical about standing in front of eager minds, sharing knowledge, and watching that 'aha moment' light up in students' eyes.

Then came the challenge of managing complex projects independently. No safety nets, no hand-holding - just pure responsibility and the thrill of steering projects from concept to completion.

But the most unexpected turn? This role planted the seed for my PhD journey. What started as a position soon evolved into a calling.

They say the best career moves often don't feel like massive leaps when you make them. Sometimes, it's those "simple switches" that lead to the most profound transformations.

Research Assistant

Fraunhofer FIT

You know: Choose your boss, not your job!

It couldn't have been more true for my first real job. The opportunity to work with Professor Prinz wasn't just a job offer – it was an invitation to join an inspiring journey to learn and grow.

What made this so special?

First, there was the incredible diversity. Imagine working alongside people with vastly different experiences and backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspective to every challenge. It wasn't just about what we knew but how differently we thought.

Then there was the environment itself. Not just an office but more a creative lab. The open mindset paired with the resources fostered innovation and collaboration.

But what really made the difference? Working on industry projects that went beyond theoretical concepts. Every day, we were creating solutions that made real impact in the real world.

Looking back, my first job already led to my enthusiasm for innovation.

I support corporates in all activities focusing on INNOVATION: 
Creating new ideas and transforming them into businesses, products, or services.

IDEATION
With my help, you and your employees will come up with new ideas to move your business forward.

INNOVATION SPRINTS
I support your team in the concrete implementation of ideas from project planning all the way to the market.

INNOVATION STRATEGY
Together we develop an innovation strategy to lead your company into the future.

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
I assist in building an innovation culture and an innovation ecosystem, which fosters creative work and implementation of innovation in your company.

INNOVATION TRAINING
I train your employees to enable them to perform better innovation activities.


My background: 

I am a digital native with over ten years of experience in the field of innovation. I support companies in implementing innovation strategies and new business models. I catalyze ideas from corporate leaders in the areas of strategy and innovation and provide advisory from the initial thought to market entry.

I have studied computer science and business administration with a focus on human-computer interaction and management accounting at RWTH Aachen University. I continued as a scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT. I hold a Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) in computer science and founded a start-up for algorithmic sports performance analysis based on big data.

Furthermore, I hold several teaching positions at the TU Munich, TH Cologne, and TU Dortmund. 

Dr. Nils Jeners

➕LEVEL UP YOUR STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP ➟ I share proven systems, actionable tips, and lessons from 20+ years of helping CEOs make better strategy ➕STRATEGY ADVISOR TO CEOs + THEIR TEAMS ➟ Learn more in my ABOUT section👇

I help CEOs, leadership teams, and boards design and execute real strategy—the kind that drives alignment, action, and results.

For over 20 years, I’ve worked with CEOs, boards, and senior leadership teams at global organizations like BMW, Deloitte, DeBeers, the OECD, as well as high-growth mid-market companies to move beyond strategic planning theater and into practical, co-created strategies that leaders can actually lead through.

Through my Better Strategy OS™ and frameworks like the Strategy Launchpad™ and the Strategy Canvas Collection, I guide organizations to:

✅ Create strategy that’s clear, actionable, and co-owned by the team
✅ Build strategic thinking as a core leadership capability
✅ Move from confusion to confidence—without outsourcing their future

But I don’t just facilitate strategy—I also help you learn it.

I offer courses, tools, and executive education programs for leaders, consultants, and professionals who want to master the Better Strategy OS, learn to think more strategically, and guide others through the process.

Whether you’re leading a team, or a strategist building your own expertise—this is where you learn to make strategy real.

What I’m known for:

– Making complex strategy simple and executable
– Facilitating alignment and unlocking clarity
– Rigorous, structured, yet pragmatic approach 
– Author of The Art of Opportunity (Wiley)
– Trusted advisor & educator to global leaders
– Creator of the Better Strategy OS™
– Challenger of old-school strategic planning
– Founder of The Better Strategy School

If you’re ready to stop outsourcing your strategy—and start building the clarity and capability to lead it—please DM me.

If you’re here to learn how to make better strategy yourself, check out my tools, courses, and frameworks at www.makebetterstrategy.com

Marc Sniukas

Old-School Strategy Is Dead.

Modern strategy isn't a once-a-year planning exercise that sits in a deck gathering dust. 

It's a living system that connects directly to execution, adapts to market shifts, and engages your entire organization in real-time decision-making.

Here's how to build strategy that actually works:

✅ Run quarterly strategy sprints instead of annual planning cycles
↳ Review assumptions, test what's working, and adjust course every 90 days. Markets move too fast for yearly check-ins.

✅ Make strategy visible and accessible across the organization
↳ Use simple dashboards and one-page strategy maps that everyone can reference daily. If your team can't explain the strategy, they can't execute it.

✅ Build strategy through cross-functional collaboration, not top-down mandates
↳ Your frontline teams see market reality first. Include them in strategy conversations to surface insights leadership misses.

Here's what to avoid:
❌ The annual planning theater where strategy becomes a compliance exercise
↳ Stop spending months creating perfect PowerPoint decks that become obsolete by February. Strategy is about decisions, not documentation.

❌ Analysis paralysis disguised as strategic rigor
↳ Don't wait for perfect data. Make the best decision with available information, then learn and adjust.

❌ Treating strategy as separate from execution
↳ Strategy and execution are the same work. If your strategic plan doesn't change how people work Monday morning, it's just fiction.
Strategy is a living system, not a document. It breathes, adapts, and evolves with your business reality.

What outdated strategy practice are you ready to abandon?

"Strategy is not a lengthy action plan. It is the evolution of a central idea through continually changing circumstances." — Jack Welch

👉 Join The Better Strategy School and learn how to design and activate winning strategies: https://lnkd.in/eXjpaMCt

Dr. Marc Sniukas

20+ Years Helping Leaders Design + Execute Winning Strategies • Founded The Better Strategy School to Help Leaders Worldwide Master Strategy • Global Strategy Advisor

90% of strategies fail.
Not because of execution.
Because they were never good strategy to begin with.

Every year, leadership teams spend months building decks, setting targets, and holding offsites.

Six months later?
Those slides collect dust while everyone goes back to firefighting.

That’s not strategy. That’s theatre.

If you want better results, you don’t need more strategy.
You need Better Strategy — built on 7 essential shifts 👇


1️⃣ From financial targets → to strategic challenges
Numbers are outcomes, not strategy.
Better strategy starts with answering: What’s the real problem we must solve?


2️⃣ From 3–5 year plans → to 12–18 month priorities
Long-term plans create comfort, not clarity.
Better strategy focuses on what moves the needle now — while shaping the future.


3️⃣ From copying competitors → to creating advantage
Best practices make you average.
Better strategy puts innovation back where it belongs — at the core.


4️⃣ From annual offsites → to always-on strategy
Strategy shouldn’t happen once a year at a resort.
It’s a continuous practice of learning, sensing, and adapting — every week.


5️⃣ From closed boardrooms → to open collaboration
The best strategies aren’t designed in isolation.
They’re co-created with the people who make them real.


6️⃣ From PowerPoint → to real conversations
Strategy isn’t a document; it’s a dialogue.
Leaders who talk about strategy daily create alignment and momentum.


7️⃣ From consultants → to ownership
Advisors can guide, but they can’t lead for you.
The real power lies in taking responsibility for your own strategy.


Better strategy isn’t about perfection.
It’s about progress, clarity, and courage.

Strategy isn’t a plan — it’s a practice.
The question is: are you doing it once a year, or every day?

Let’s make better strategy.
Every day. Everywhere. Together.

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Most business schools teach strategy the wrong way.

They teach it like a recipe.
A few frameworks. A few steps.
A set of “best practices” to follow.

Students memorize models.
Apply them in tidy, predictable cases.
And graduate believing strategy is a process — not a way of thinking.

That’s the problem.

Because strategy in the real world isn’t linear or uniform.
It’s full of contradictions, tensions, and competing perspectives.
And yet, most textbooks flatten this complexity into one “accepted truth.”

So what’s the alternative?

A different approach — one that applies strategic thinking to the teaching of strategy itself.

It’s called the issue-based approach.
Instead of starting with theories, it begins with the strategic problems real leaders face.
Each issue — from competition vs. cooperation to profit vs. purpose — is explored through multiple, even opposing, lenses.
Students learn to compare, debate, and synthesize rather than memorize and repeat.

The goal isn’t to follow frameworks.
It’s to develop independent strategic thinkers who can navigate ambiguity and shape their own view of strategy.

👉 Join the Strategy Synthesis Masterclass with Prof. Dr. Bob de Wit — author of Strategy: An International Perspective — to explore how this approach transforms how we learn, teach, and practice strategy.

Sign up here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dd9FW-Tr

If this resonates, please share to help others rethink how strategy is taught — and learned.

What’s a good strategy to learn about strategy?

Most people still learn strategy as if it were a formula.

Follow the steps.
Memorize the models.
Apply the tools.

That’s not strategy.
That’s administration.

In most strategy courses and textbooks,
you’ll find the same pattern repeated:

❌ A single, accepted view of what strategy “is.”
❌ A linear, step-by-step process to follow.
❌ Simplified, reworded ideas from past thinkers.
❌ And a strong bias toward one national or business context.

It’s clean.
It’s structured.

But it kills independent strategic thought.

Strategy isn’t a discipline of answers.
It’s a discipline of questions.

At the Better Strategy School, we don’t teach strategy like that.

We explore 11 types of strategic issues,
their underlying paradoxes, and
the multiple perspectives that exist to resolve them:

(1) How do we strategize?
(2) What’s our mission and vision?
(3) How do we compete at the business level?
(4) How do we create value at the corporate level?
(5) How do we collaborate and compete across networks?
(6) How is strategy formed and realized?
(7) How do we lead strategic change?
(8) How do we drive strategic innovation?
(9) How do industries evolve and shape our choices?
(10) How do we develop our organization?
(11) How does the international context influence our strategy?

Each of these issues invites opposing perspectives — markets vs. resources, control vs. chaos, globalization vs. localization — forcing leaders to think beyond one “right” answer.

Because strategy isn’t about memorizing frameworks.
It’s about learning to think across them.

👉 If you'd like to learn more about these 11 strategy issues, join our next webinar with Bob de Wit: https://lnkd.in/dd9FW-Tr

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The Real Horizons of Strategy

Most leaders know McKinsey’s Three Horizons Model.

It’s simple:

1️⃣ Horizon 1 (H1): Current businesses.
2️⃣ Horizon 2 (H2): Emerging opportunities.
3️⃣ Horizon 3 (H3): Future bets.

The key insight is that you need to work on all three horizons today.
Balancing short-term performance with long-term growth.

But here’s the issue.

In practice, that model assumes something
many organizations simply don’t have:

A working strategy today.

Because if your business model isn’t performing, if your team lacks clarity or focus, you won’t have the resources, capacity, or credibility to think about the future.

Over two decades of working with executives, I’ve found that before you can manage three horizons, you need to master three strategic maturity levels:

1️⃣ H1: No Strategy – Activities happen, but they’re disconnected. The business runs on habits, not intent.

2️⃣ H2: Today's Strategy – There’s a core idea, but it needs updating, reframing, and aligning to a changing world.

3️⃣ H3: Future Strategy – Once today’s strategy works, you can finally invest time and energy into what’s next.

So before asking “What’s our next horizon?”
Ask “Is our current strategy truly working?”

Because the real horizon of strategy isn’t time—it’s maturity.

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20+ Years Helping Leaders Design + Execute Winning Strategies • Built The Better Strategy School to Help Leaders Worldwide Master Strategy • Global Strategy Advisor

500+ leaders. One shared goal:
To make better strategy — not longer slide decks.

Most strategy efforts fail not because leaders don’t care —
but because they lack a clear definition, a structured framework, and a systematic process for making strategy work.

They’re told to “think strategically.”
But not how to do it.
They’re handed playbooks that explain what strategy is.
But not how to build and execute one in the real world.

That’s why so many strategies stay stuck in PowerPoints instead of changing organizations.

At the Better Strategy School, we’ve now passed 500 participants.

Leaders, founders, consultants, and executives who decided they don’t want to just plan, they want to lead strategy that delivers results.

But this milestone isn’t about numbers.
It’s about impact.

Here’s what that looks like in practice 👇

🧩 Stefania Mangini, CFO & Board Member, O’Neill:
“Valuable insights from real case studies. Helpful framework, easy to use when having strategy discussions and to ask the right questions at board meetings.”

🧠 Tylney Taylor, Managing Director, Bold Transformations:
“Marc brings in unique and highly valuable insights that add to the robust framework he has developed.”

🚀 Lisa Rehm, Associate Director PMO, Nice-Pak Products:
“Marc’s Better Strategy Masterclass takes this work to an entirely new level.”

💡 Semih Görür, CEO, Tuna Aluminium:
“The sessions provided practical applications directly relevant to today’s business challenges. Marc makes complex concepts easy to understand and apply.”

If you want to design and execute winning strategies — not just talk about them —
you need three things:

1️⃣ A clear definition of what strategy really is.
2️⃣ A structured framework to align thinking and teams.
3️⃣ A systematic process that connects design with execution.

That’s the foundation of Better Strategy — and what every leader deserves to master.

🎯 Learn how top leaders are transforming how they think, design, and execute strategy:
👉 https://lnkd.in/dejWcSAT

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The Battle

Dr. Nils Jeners

Marc Sniukas

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The Battle

Dr. Nils Jeners

Marc Sniukas

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Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Marc Sniukas's LinkedIn Performance

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