Seventeen years in international organizations taught me one thing:
culture shapes behavior – and behavior determines business results.
I help you see what happens beneath the surface.
And how it shapes the way you lead.
My mission
After working in a corporate environment across three continents, I learned this the hard way:
Culture deeply shapes what we believe is “the right way” to work.
It impacts how we act, communicate and simply get things done. We all feel it, yet it is the most overlooked topic in business.
When I tried to lead the Dutch way in places like Singapore, Japan and Chile, everything that used to work… didn’t.
The reality?
In international organizations, things rarely go wrong because of a lack of leadership or communication.
And yet, that’s exactly where most of the focus goes.
While the real issue -and the real opportunity – sits somewhere else.
Beneath the surface. In the undercurrent.
In how culture shapes behavior.
And that layer is often overlooked.
Even though it directly impacts how people make decisions, communicate and collaborate.
Everything else is just treating symptoms.
And while we do so, we miss business opportunities and the development of people.
Driven by a very personal mission, I founded CCS – Cross Cultural Solutions in 2021.
Because I saw how often organizations invest in fixing what’s visible, while completely missing what actually drives it.
We make culture practical and usable in everyday business. Through trainings, workshops and tailored programs.
No academic theories. No generic models that sound good but change nothing.
Just sharp insights, real conversations
and tools you can actually use the next day.
All built on one belief:
You can only be effective on the surface
when you understand what’s happening beneath it.
In international business, you can only be effective on the surface
when you understand what’s happening beneath it.
More about Coco
I don’t see culture as a soft topic. I see it as one of the most underused levers in international business. Because what looks like a communication issue, a leadership challenge or a slow decision making process… is often something else entirely.
Something cultural.
And if you don’t understand that layer, you keep trying to fix the wrong thing. That’s why I do what I do. I help leaders see what’s actually happening beneath the surface, so they can lead, decide and collaborate more effectively in their day to day reality.
Not by changing who they are. But by understanding what others need. Because once you understand what’s happening beneath the surface, you move faster and get to better results.
What defines Coco?
Enthusiastic yet sharp
Curiosity is my starting point. Clarity is the outcome.
I’m genuinely curious about people. How they think, act and work together.
I see what’s really going on.
What is said and what isn’t.
I know what the situation needs.
What is required from whom.
And how to get there.
And I’m not afraid to go there.
Even when it’s uncomfortable. I put my finger on what’s actually holding things back.
Practical and results driven
If it doesn’t work in your reality it’s not worth your time.
I don’t believe in abstract models
or theories that sound good but change nothing.
If I talk about something,
it needs to be usable.
In your next meeting.
Your next decision.
Your next conversation.
Tomorrow.
Because insight without action
doesn’t move anything.
I focus on what works in your reality. Not in theory.
Clear. Practical.
And worth the time and energy.
Progress over perfection
Messy that works beats perfect that doesn’t.
If we’re clear on where we want to go, we go for what gets us there.
I care about what works in reality.
Not about what looks good on paper.
Progress comes from understanding what actually matters- and acting on it.
Regardless of the route we defined.
I choose movement over perfection – every single time.
What works for one
won’t work for another.
That’s where the nuance is.
And that’s what makes it work.
Coco’s way of working
I don’t work with fixed methods or off the shelf solutions. Every situation is different. Every leader, team and context brings its own dynamics.
So we start there. Your reality. Your people. What’s actually going on. And most of all, what to achieve. I observe. Ask sharp questions. And translate what’s happening beneath the surface into clarity and actions that bring you the results.
Clear. Practical. And focused on what moves you forward.
Trainings, workshops and programs
Practical and business focused programs, tailored to the reality, goals and dynamics of your team.
Speaking and keynotes
Interactive and energetic keynote sessions for organizations, leadership teams and international audiences.
Personal leadership support
One on one sparring and mentoring for leaders navigating complex international and intercultural environments.