Data is the heartbeat of modern organizations, and few understand this better than Lars van der Goes, the driving force behind Expertum Netherlands’ Data & Analytics team. With a career rooted in Business Intelligence and a passion for turning raw data into meaningful insights, Lars leads a team of skilled consultants who thrive on solving complex challenges, from data warehousing and integration to dashboarding and AI.
In this interview, Lars shares his journey into the world of BI, the vision behind Expertum’s Data & Analytics team, and why fostering creativity, collaboration, and continuous growth is key to delivering real value for clients. He also highlights the trends shaping the future of BI and what makes Expertum a unique place to work.
Can you introduce yourself? What’s your role at Expertum, and how did you end up here?
My name is Lars, and I’m the Team Lead for Data & Analytics at Expertum Netherlands. Before joining the Expertum family, I worked as a BI consultant at Ciber, one of the largest SAP consultancy firms back in the day. That’s where I laid the foundation for my career in Data & Analytics.
What first attracted you to Business Intelligence, and why does this field suit you so well?
With a background in business administration, I believe modern organizations can’t operate optimally without proper data management. Data and the insights it provides, is essential to every business process, which makes the role of a Data & Analytics consultant incredibly impactful wherever you go. This profession allows for out-of-the-box thinking, continuous learning, and making a real difference in any direction you choose to put your energy into. That’s what I love about it.
What does the BI team at Expertum look like? What kind of people work there?
Our team consists of about twelve consultants who all share a passion for Data & Analytics, from data warehousing and integration to dashboarding and AI. Our people are skilled, proactive, and, above all, a lot of fun to work with. We collaborate, learn, and grow together even beyond the beaten path.
What expertise and technologies are represented in your team?
Our team covers the full modern Data & Analytics landscape: reporting, dashboarding, data integration and transformation, data modeling, data governance, and artificial intelligence. In addition, thanks to our functional and complementary non-SAP knowledge, we can advise clients across a wide spectrum from non-SAP solutions like Databricks, Snowflake, or Power BI to in-depth topics like architecture and system management.
How do you collaborate with other teams or clients within Expertum?
Lines of communication are short at Expertum, and we always know who excels at what. That makes it easy to quickly connect with other experts when needed. I have yet to encounter a client situation that I couldn’t solve with the help of an Expertum colleague!
Where do you see the BI team in two years? What’s your vision?
My vision is just one piece of the puzzle at Expertum, and especially within our team, we shape our vision collectively so that it’s something we can all act on. The future will demand more creativity from consultants, not only due to AI but also because of the fast-changing demands of organizations. Knowing a single tool won’t be enough anymore; we’ll all need to broaden our skill sets to deliver the value our clients expect from us.
Can you share a specific project your team is proud of?
We recently completed a greenfield implementation of SAP Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud at Ausnutria. We’re still expanding both systems there, but it was very rewarding to help a large, complex organization modernize its data landscape into something truly useful. On top of that, we tackled it in phases with many different colleagues, and we’ve already had the chance to share the story (together with the client) several times within the SAP community. These are the projects that really make the work worthwhile.
What makes working at Expertum different from other IT companies?
Unlike many competitors that claim to have a flat and family-like culture, Expertum truly is that way. The lines are short, no one is unreachable, and everyone is willing to help. From leadership to sales and from office management to marketing, every person here puts their heart into their work and into supporting others. That’s something we all value and actively protect.
How do you make sure colleagues continue to grow, both professionally and personally?
Personal and professional growth is at the core of working at Expertum. Every year, we have dedicated moments to discuss these topics, but even outside those sessions, we make sure that consultants are constantly challenged and energized by their work. Growth should feel natural, with clear paths where helpful, but also the freedom to carve your own route. Whether you want to do that independently or with some support, your colleagues are here for you.
What’s your favorite part of a typical workday at Expertum?
Without a doubt, the people I work with. Whether it’s at the client site or internally, I believe your own mindset and spirit greatly influence those around you. If you approach work with a healthy, positive attitude, that’s exactly what you get in return. At Expertum, we aim to keep that energy alive every day.
What kind of colleague fits well within your BI team?
Someone who doesn’t think in boxes and isn’t just out to sell SAP but who genuinely wants to create the best possible solution with and for the client, driven by intrinsic motivation. Someone who isn’t afraid to speak their mind, enjoys team bonding, and doesn’t mind learning something new every day.
Any advice for someone considering a move into BI consultancy?
Super practical, but still true: consultancy allows you to learn a lot very quickly (and to build a strong network). Give it a try, if it turns out not to be your thing, you’ll still walk away with a backpack full of new, valuable experience. We should know many of us at Expertum come from freelance or end-customer roles and haven’t looked back since.
Why should people interested in data or BI join Expertum right now?
Data & Analytics is a rapidly growing and constantly evolving field. At Expertum, you’ll have the opportunity to work at the forefront of that evolution beyond the usual boxes, together with a team that has both the expertise and the will to help you grow.
How can Expertum help you further?
At Expertum, we believe data is more than just numbers—it’s the foundation for smarter decisions, better processes, and real business impact. Our Data & Analytics team brings deep expertise in SAP and beyond, helping organizations modernize their data landscape, improve data governance, and unlock actionable insights.
Whether you’re just starting your data journey or looking to advance with solutions like SAP Datasphere, SAP Analytics Cloud, or non-SAP tools like Power BI, Snowflake, or Databricks—we’re here to guide you. With a collaborative mindset, broad technical know-how, and a passion for growth, we empower your business to turn data into value.