What’s it really like to start your consulting career at Simon-Kucher in the Netherlands? We sat down with Laura and Timen to hear about their first year – from jumping into projects on day one to sharing insights directly with clients, learning Excel shortcuts, and bonding over ski trips and lunch breaks with peers. Here’s a conversation about early ownership, a close-knit team culture, and the hands-on mindset that defines the Amsterdam office.
Looking back to when you applied, what stood out to you about Simon-Kucher and made you think, “Yes, this is it”?
Laura: I felt a genuine personal connection with everyone I spoke to during the application process. It wasn’t just about learning from the people here at Simon-Kucher. It also felt like I could really have fun with them and build meaningful relationships. Now, a year later, I can definitely say that’s true. I’m learning a lot and having a great time with my colleagues.
How did your first few months go? Was there anything that made your onboarding experience smoother than expected?
Timen: On my first day, I joined a new project in a niche B2B sector as part of a five-person team. By diving straight into the work, I quickly gained hands-on experience and developed a solid understanding of Simon-Kucher projects. My responsibilities expanded steadily each day, challenging me without ever feeling overwhelmed. Personally, starting alongside two friendly colleagues and going on an office-wide ski trip during my second week helped me settle in quickly. Within just a few weeks, I felt a strong sense of belonging at the office.
What’s one thing you’ve learned in your first year that surprised you the most?
Laura: I think the amount of responsibility I took on from the beginning was helpful. It really feels like I am making an impact and can contribute to the project even though I just started working.
Timen: Despite having no prior professional experience in the field, I was able to contribute meaningfully to the project from the start. I have had the opportunity to confidently present my findings in workshops and steering committee meetings. I also engage in productive discussions with client stakeholders on how to translate those insights into actionable steps.
What does your usual workday look like at the Amsterdam office – or wherever you're working from?
Laura: First, coffee, of course. After this we always start our day with a check-in with the whole project team. This way we can easily distribute tasks within the team and discuss the status of ongoing topics. However, after the check-in my ‘usual day’ looks different every week, and I think that's also what I love about my job. For example, if I look at last week, what I did most of my day was work on an Excel tool for our client. The week before, we were preparing a workshop with the client, so I was building a lot of PowerPoint slides. One thing that is consistent though: at exactly 12:00, the whole Amsterdam office is getting lunch, so you won’t find anyone working then!
You’ve worked on a few projects now. Can you share one that really challenged or inspired you?
Timen: Last year, I worked on a project in which we developed a selective distribution policy for an international fashion brand. A selective distribution policy encompasses the way in which a brand, which produces the assortment, cooperates with retailers, who sell the products to consumers. Questions that we answered during the project were: which retailer gets access to what assortment? Who has volume priority in case of scarcity? The main aim of this policy is to strengthen the brand image towards consumers and drive sustainable growth by remaining a preferred brand. The project touched upon the core commercial strategy of the brand; how were they going to win in each market, and with which commercial partners? My favorite activity was market research where we dove into what consumers value when shopping, both online and in-store. The outcomes translated to actionable input for the final policy. For example, retailers can now improve their assortment access by improving the drivers of consumer satisfaction. The project is a perfect example of how Simon-Kucher projects in the consumer goods sector aim to drive lasting impact by truly understanding the end-consumer.
What’s a practical trick or tool you've picked up that's now part of your daily consultant toolkit?
Laura: Excel shortcuts for the win! When you start out as a consultant, a big part of your work involves data analysis, so you’ll be spending a lot of time in Excel. Learning a few shortcuts to quickly navigate data really comes in handy. It’s way faster (and more satisfying) than constantly reaching for your mouse!
What do you think makes working in the Netherlands unique compared to other regions?
Timen: The Amsterdam office has a close-knit culture, with many team-wide activities both organized by the company and initiated informally by the team. These range from beach outings and BBQs at our managing partner’s home to padel tournaments and theatrical 'Cluedo murder dinners.' On a more personal level, many colleagues connect one-on-one through shared interests like sports, dancing, or cooking. Working with people you know beyond the professional context creates a comfortable environment and allows for light-hearted moments, even during long days at the office. Professionally, our team is highly pragmatic: we focus on delivering clear, actionable recommendations rather than trying to meet every out-of-scope expectation from clients.
If you had to choose a typical Dutch saying to describe your consulting career, which one would fit best?
Laura: “Niet lullen maar poetsen”. It literally translates to: Don't talk, just clean. But it actually means less talking, more doing. I think it really fits the entrepreneurial spirit that we have here at the Amsterdam office. If you have a good idea or want to organize something at the office, a lot is possible. But you do have to take the initiative and actually make it happen, instead of just talking about it.
Timen: “Beter één vogel in de hand dan tien in de lucht” translates to “I would rather have one bird in my hand than ten in the sky”. This reflects our pragmatic culture in the Amsterdam office where we prioritize thinking through one or two well-founded recommendations, rather than producing lengthy presentations filled with broad or diffuse suggestions.
Has consulting changed the way you act or think in everyday life?
Laura: Maybe not so much in how I think or act, but you do start looking at everyday things through more of a consultant lens. For example, a year ago I worked on a project about promotion strategy. During that project, I’ve caught myself noticing the promotion strategy behind every product I bought, even my laundry detergent at the supermarket!
Your consulting life, as an emoji. Go!
Timen: 🎆, never a dull day in the life of a consultant
Laura: 🧠, learning something new every day, without fail.
If someone just joined the Amsterdam office, what’s one tip you'd definitely give them?
Timen: Join one of the outside-of-Simon-Kucher activities to get to know your peers, managers, and partners in an informal way.
Laura: Your first project or even your first month can definitely feel a bit overwhelming. But if you have a question, just ask! People here are always happy to help, and honestly, there’s no such thing as a stupid question.