Leadership - Product - Marketing - Technology

I am also the principal and owner of a (dormant) business, product management and marketing consultancy and support firm, focused on helping companies to develop strong product strategies, value propositions and improve customer relationships to boost product performance, sales and marketing effectiveness

To ensure the availability of the next level of product managers, I mentor, educate and provide support to early career and upcoming product managers

I combine my technical knowledge with a keen understanding of business dynamics, enabling product strategies to align with organisational goals. My leadership style emphasises innovation, stakeholder communication, and a strong focus on delivering value to users while driving product growth in competitive markets.

I stand out for several unique attributes that combine technical expertise, marketing acumen, and leadership.
Based upon feedback, here’s people think why I am unique:

• Blend of Technical and Commercial Expertise: Jan Wielenga has a rare combination of in-depth technical knowledge in IT, Cloud, Everything as a Service, Software development, industrial electronics and telecommunications, along with a strong commercial focus. This dual skill set enables him to bridge the gap between customers, product development marketing/sales and other stakeholders, ensuring products are both technically sound and marketable
• Diverse Industry Experience: His career spans various sectors such as enterprise IT, Cloud / Everything as a Service such as SaaS, MSP and ISP, telecommunications, data connectivity, and electronics / optronics, with roles in global companies. This breadth of experience allows him to bring cross-industry insights to solve complex business challenges​
• Leadership in Product Lifecycle Management: Jan Wielenga’s unique strength in managing the entire product lifecycle, from concept to market introduction, positions him as a leader in both technical product management and strategic marketing
  ​Experienced Professional: Wielenga boasts over multiple decades of experience in various technical, commercial, business, and marketing roles within prestigious organizations like HPE, Fasthosts, Tyco Electronics, Daisy Communications, Mitel, Philips, British Airways, and Alcatel-Lucent. His track record includes consistently beating performance targets, indicating a strong commitment to achieving results
• Customer-Centric Approach: He emphasizes creating realistic solutions that enhance customer relationships and improve business outcomes, such as increasing repeat sales and reducing price pressure. This focus on delivering value to clients suggests a strong orientation towards customer satisfaction and business success
• Technical and Marketing Expertise: His portfolio showcases a combination of technical and marketing skills, with involvement in producing marketing materials, product management, and marketing communications. This dual expertise allows him to effectively bridge the gap between technical teams and market needs, which is a valuable asset in any organization
• Cultural and Linguistic Fluency: Multi National work experience and fluent in Dutch, English, and business-level German, Jan Wielenga’s ability to operate in multilingual, multicultural environments adds to his uniqueness, making him highly effective in international business settings​

“These distinctive qualities make Jan Wielenga a valuable asset for companies looking for a leader who can drive both innovation and market success.”

As a Principal Product Manager, I have extensive product management experience, particularly in managing the full product lifecycle. My expertise covers various industries, including Cloud, Everything a Service, telecommunications, IT, and data connectivity. Here are some highlights of my product management experience:

1. Full Product Lifecycle Management: I have has managed products from concept to market introduction. This includes defining product requirements, creating business cases, and developing roadmaps for both new product introductions (NPI) and new product development (NPD). I have overseen forecasting, revenue, and margin management to ensure the financial success of products.
2. Product Marketing and Sales Support: In my roles, I have been responsible for aligning product development with market needs. This involved competitive analysis, developing sales tools, and providing training to sales teams. My work ensured that the product marketing and sales efforts were fully integrated with product management strategies​
3. Experience in Multiple Sectors: My product management experience spans several industries and technologies, including Cloud, Software as a Service, fixed and mobile telecom, data connectivity (WAN, MPLS, DIA/MIA, Broadband), and enterprise IT. My technical background in industrial electronics and networking adds depth to my product management capabilities​

“My ability to combine technical knowledge with strong business and marketing skills makes me particularly effective in managing complex products in highly competitive markets.”

I have a strong marketing background, particularly in product and technical marketing, with multiple decades of experience across various sectors, including telecommunications, IT, Cloud, Electronics and data connectivity. My marketing expertise includes:

1. Product Marketing: I have played a key role in developing product marketing strategies, from the creation of sales tools to supporting marketing campaigns that drive product awareness. I have led the development of competitive analysis, market positioning, and the communication of product value propositions​
2. Marketing Communications: My experience extends to managing technical marketing communications, where I have been responsible for public relations (industry press and analysts) , press releases, brochures, whitepapers, and presentations. I have also overseen e-marketing strategies and execution, including digital media and online campaigns​
3. Event Management and Public Engagement: I have been involved in organizing events, public speaking, and engaging with press and analysts to promote products and services. My ability to communicate technical information to a broader audience has been essential in gaining visibility and credibility for the brands he has worked with.
4. Strategic Marketing Planning: I have consistently contributed to marketing planning and strategy, working with international teams to ensure successful product launches and market penetration. I focused on aligning marketing efforts with business goals to achieve measurable results in terms of customer engagement and sales​

“My marketing skills, combined with my technical expertise, makes me an effective leader in creating integrated marketing strategies that boost business growth.”

I possess a robust set of leadership skills, honed through decades of experience in senior roles across various industries, particularly IT and telecommunications. My leadership strengths include:

• Strategic Vision and Execution: I have demonstrated the ability to guide organizations in developing and executing strategic plans, particularly in product management and marketing. I effectively aligns product development with business goals, ensuring that teams work cohesively toward shared objectives​
• Team Leadership and Collaboration: In various roles, I have led cross-functional teams, including marketing, engineering, and sales, to ensure seamless product launches and market strategies. My leadership is characterized by fostering collaboration between technical and commercial teams as well as other stakeholders​
• Mentorship and Sales Support: I have also provided leadership through mentoring and training sales teams. My ability to communicate complex technical details in an accessible manner enables me to lead by example, helping sales teams better understand and promote the products
• Public Speaking and Stakeholder Engagement: I have extensive experience in public engagements, managing press, and analyst relations, as well as speaking at industry events. My leadership in public-facing roles ensures the effective communication of brand and product values​

“My leadership is defined by my strategic thinking, ability to manage cross-disciplinary teams, and a deep commitment to aligning business strategies with execution.”