Services

narrative consultancy | project management | strategy

—What

Studio A-Z creates impactful narratives together with clients, and will help navigate projects. We find, formulate and present the narrative that needs to be told. Ideation is central to this - seeing or finding the essence, the idea. These narratives can have many forms, such as:

  • supporting the writing of a book, thesis, website, report or strategic policy;

  • facilitating sessions with various stakeholders; getting a meeting, project or team back on track;

  • supporting teams or organizations in (re)creating an organization’s mission, vision and values;

  • managing a multi-stakeholder project;

  • developing a program, implementation strategy or policy position; etc.

We quickly get to the heart of the matter and offer creative and decisive advice and result. Additionally, with a strong sense of aesthetics, Studio A-Z strives to harmonize the whole of physical space, presentational material and the mission, vision and values of an organization and/or project. We make sure the narrative fits.

Studio A-Z is committed to work on solutions with societal impact (such as educational innovation, diversity and inclusion, urban greening, digital transformation, healthcare system optimization and climate change).

—How

Studio A-Z excels in quickly overseeing complex situations and dynamics. At the start of an assignment, we will analyze and structure all available information. Studio A-Z involves all stakeholders, organizes meaningful team sessions and/or interviews, investigates relevant content and various perspectives and looks for the unifying thread. We then determine the right words and a fitting way of communicating the narrative or project plan. Throughout this process, Studio A-Z offers constructive feedback and builds the necessary relationships in order to work with a diversity of stakeholders as well as bridge cultures, backgrounds and areas of expertise. Our talent is to bring to the surface underlying truths, challenges and obstacles as well as finding a solution that fits. You can count on Studio A-Z to present results in a manner that considers coherence, quality (control), cultural context and aesthetic value. With creativity, energy and decisiveness, we translate ideas into action.

additional skills & services

Trainer, moderator, chair person Team development Creative workshops (painting, ceramics | create together) Diversity & inclusion strategy Communication strategy

Portfolio

See for more:

Creating today’s #1 bachelor program in the Netherlands

In 2015-2016 Pieternel was hired by the University of Groningen to develop a new bachelor's program. The program had to be both unique ánd a typical University College, become an integrated part of the new Campus Fryslân in Leeuwarden, adhere to the main University's rules and regulations ánd connect to the Province's academic and economic goals for the region. The first step was to determine the narrative of the new bachelor and how it would complement the new campus and regional narratives. In this step, Pieternel applied her educational design skills, creativity and vision to create both a unique program ánd one rooted in the liberal arts and sciences philosophy of Dutch University Colleges. The outcome: a hands-on and future-oriented bachelor’s program, inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The next step included operational activities (writing the macro-efficiency and accreditation dossiers for the CDHO and NVAO, recruiting academic and support staff), networking and stakeholder management (within the University, the city of Leeuwarden as well as the Province of Fryslân). The program content was greatly enriched by varied input Pieternel received through the network she built in the region. Finally, Pieternel was closely involved in the design and renovation of De Beurs, a historical building in the city center of Leeuwarden that now houses the new Campus Fryslân. With a team of architects and University facility and building managers, she connected educational concept of the new program to physical space, atmosphere and aesthetics. Pieternel continuously advocated for accessibility, inclusion as well as a sense of community - integral to the University College concept. The bachelor’s program Global Responsibility and Leadership has been rated as the best bachelor’s program in the Netherlands by the Dutch Higher Education Guide for Universities for the past two years and has received the quality label "top degree program" every year since its start in 2018.