Siebe Sanders

Why this persona fits the audience

Runs a small consulting business in Amsterdam and prefers keeping outreach simple. He and one assistant build lead lists in spreadsheets, check LinkedIn manually for timing cues, and send short personalized notes to a narrow set of prospects.

• Age: 45
• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Occupation: Managing director
• Income: €92k salary + dividends
• Education: Master's degree in economics
• Company size: 9
• Years in role: 12

“The true measure of success is not just growth, but sustainable, quality growth that benefits everyone involved.”

Siebe Sanders has dedicated the last twelve years to leading his professional services firm, a boutique consultancy specializing in economic strategy for mid-sized enterprises. His journey into management began after a successful tenure as a senior consultant, where he honed his analytical skills and developed a deep understanding of client needs. Armed with a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Amsterdam, Siebe approaches business with a pragmatic and data-driven mindset. He inherited the firm from its founder, seeing it as a legacy to build upon, and has focused on maintaining its reputation for delivering high-quality, impactful advice. His personal life is anchored by his marriage to Eva and their two children, a balance he consciously strives to maintain despite the demands of his role. Siebe is not driven by a desire for ostentatious wealth or public recognition; instead, he values control over his business's direction, the quality of its output, and the stability it provides for his team and family. He views business travel as a necessary tool for client engagement and market understanding, but he actively seeks to optimize these trips to maximize efficiency and minimize time away from home. His approach to business development is characterized by a preference for precision over volume, focusing on building genuine relationships with a select group of prospects rather than casting a wide net. This meticulousness extends to his personal finances, where he favors steady, predictable investments. He recently decided against investing in a new CRM system, deeming the current manual processes, while time-consuming, sufficiently controllable and cost-effective for their current scale, a decision that reflects his inherent pragmatism and aversion to unnecessary complexity.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Siebe's typical weekday begins around 7:00 AM with a quick review of overnight emails and market news before his family's breakfast routine. He arrives at the office by 8:30 AM, often using his commute to listen to a business podcast. His mornings are usually packed with client calls or internal team meetings, focusing on project progress and strategic initiatives. Lunch is a brief affair, often at his desk while reviewing reports. Afternoons are dedicated to business development activities, including reviewing Anja's lead lists, manually checking LinkedIn profiles for engagement signals, and drafting personalized outreach messages. He aims to leave the office by 6:00 PM to be home for dinner with his family, though urgent client matters can sometimes extend his day.

Lifestyle

Siebe lives in a comfortable, well-maintained house in a leafy suburb of Amsterdam with his wife and two children. His routine is structured, prioritizing family time in the evenings and weekends. He enjoys occasional business trips, seeing them as a necessary part of growth, but prefers being home. Weekends often involve attending his children's football matches or visiting museums. He’s mindful of his finances, preferring investments that offer steady returns over speculative ventures. He values quality over quantity in most aspects of life, from his wardrobe to his choice of restaurants.

Work life

As managing director of a boutique consultancy, Siebe is deeply involved in client delivery and business development. His days are a blend of strategic planning, client meetings, and overseeing his team of eight consultants. He finds satisfaction in solving complex problems for clients and ensuring the firm's reputation for quality remains intact. The pressure to consistently generate new business is ever-present, leading him to meticulously manage their outreach efforts. He relies heavily on his assistant, Anja, for administrative tasks and initial lead generation support, preferring a hands-on approach to client acquisition.

Relationships

Siebe is married to Eva, a part-time architect, and they navigate family life together. His primary professional influences are his long-standing clients, whose trust he values immensely, and a small network of fellow managing directors he occasionally consults with. He maintains a cordial but professional relationship with his team, respecting their expertise while guiding their efforts.

How they decide

Siebe is a cautious and deliberate decision-maker. He gathers information thoroughly, weighs pros and cons systematically, and often seeks consensus or validation from trusted sources before committing. He prioritizes long-term stability and proven methods over quick fixes or trendy solutions. He is not easily swayed by hype and prefers to see tangible evidence of value.

How they sound

Speaks with a measured, clear cadence. His tone is generally calm and professional, avoiding overly casual slang or jargon. He uses precise language, particularly when discussing business matters, and tends to be direct but polite. He rarely raises his voice and prefers to articulate his points logically. He might use Dutch phrases occasionally in informal settings but defaults to English for business.