Shows
The Business Emergency Room PodcastWhen Growth Bleeds Cash: A Cautionary Tale from Food & BeverageScaling looks like success, until your product hits every shelf and you’re still bleeding cash.In this episode, Maartje van Krieken talks with food and beverage strategist Debbie Wildrick about what really happens when growth gets ahead of structure. With decades of experience across the CPG world, from startup brands to overseeing billions in retail at 7-Eleven, Debbie has seen firsthand how companies unravel behind the scenes. What causes a business to stall even after it secures funding, distribution, and shelf space? Why do so many founders miss the early signs of a CPG breakdown?...2025-07-2336 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Anniversary Emergency: CrowdStrike, Continuity & a GiveawayA single line of flawed code grounded planes, shuttered hospitals, and crashed cash registers… What would your business do if the emergency was already underway?One year after launching this podcast in the middle of real-life chaos, Maartje breaks down the CrowdStrike debacle that exposed just how fragile even the biggest systems can be, and why most business continuity plans still fall short. She shares five hard-earned lessons from the outage, including how American Airlines recovered faster than Delta, what crisis readiness really requires, and why your frontline team, not your tech stack, might be the biggest va...2025-07-1627 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastWhy Public Sector Change Is a Masterclass in ComplexityPublic sector leaders are quietly mastering the kind of complex, human-centered change most businesses struggle to get right.Maartje van Krieken is joined by Vijay K. Luthra, a former civil servant and transformation strategist, to talk about why public sector transformation deserves more attention from business leaders facing turbulence. Vijay draws from his experience across government and consulting to challenge assumptions about innovation, revealing how public institutions have become experts at navigating constant disruption and ambiguity. Centered on what he calls the “Fifth Industrial Revolution,” the episode explores how the pace of technological change is creating a futu...2025-07-0932 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastAI FOMO: Stop Watching, Start WinningAI isn’t some future threat on the horizon. It’s already changing how businesses operate, and the question is whether you’re keeping up or falling behind. In this 50th episode of The Business Emergency Room, Maartje van Krieken gets real about “AI FOMO” and why so many leaders are stuck thinking instead of doing. Most companies say they’re exploring AI, but only a small fraction have actually changed how their business runs. So what’s holding them back? And what might it cost to keep waiting?Maartje shares examples that go way beyond marketin...2025-07-0225 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastWhy Leaders Need a Flight Plan with Peter BrandlMost leadership failures don’t happen because of bad strategy. They happen because we overlook how human we all are when the pressure’s on.Maartje van Krieken is joined by German author, speaker, and former airline pilot Peter Brandl, who brings a pilot’s perspective into the world of business leadership. With years of experience training flight crews in crisis response and communication, Peter talks through the concept of human factors in leadership, how the real risks come from misjudged decisions, flawed communication, and the stress responses we don’t always notice in ourselves or others.The...2025-06-2530 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastWhen Chaos Hits, What’s Your Plan B?Most businesses won’t survive their next big disruption. Not because the crisis is too big, but because their business continuity plan (BCP) was either half-baked or never tested.Maartje van Krieken makes the case for recovery planning that actually works. What would happen if your leadership team was unreachable? If your systems went down? If your staff didn’t know who had authority to make decisions?The stats are rough. Nearly 95% of companies without a recovery plan after a major data breach go out of business within a year. And yet, most organizations either don’...2025-06-1825 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastBoard Strategy: Who You Seat Shapes GrowthMost boards don’t fail because of bad people. They fail because the right people aren’t at the table when it counts.Maartje van Krieken sits down with Dr. Keith Dorsey, the founder of Boardroom Journey, to talk about what makes a board truly effective, and why board composition strategy should never be an afterthought. If your company is scaling fast or hitting friction, are the voices in your boardroom equipped to help you grow? Dr. Dorsey shares why defaulting to well-known CEOs and CFOs can backfire, and how to identify the real gaps in expertise that...2025-06-1130 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastCatch the Creep, Dodge the JailbreakA jailbreak in New Orleans becomes a sharp metaphor for what happens when creeping dysfunction goes unchecked inside a business.In this episode, Maartje van Krieken unpacks the hidden costs of ignoring early warning signs in organizations. Broken locks. Budget cuts. Communication breakdowns. The kind of slow decay that builds quietly until a major crisis forces everyone to pay attention.Using the lens of operational risk escalation, Maartje explains how small process failures can snowball into full business process failure, often without anyone noticing in time. Did you know it takes most organizations 84 days to...2025-06-0426 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastFixing Sales Before It Bleeds You DrySales problems rarely start loud. They build quietly through messy processes, wishful thinking in the pipeline, the wrong people in key roles, and pricing that no longer makes sense.Maartje van Krieken is joined by Nicholas Loise, the founder of Sales Performance Team, to discuss what really drags sales down, and what it takes to turn things around. He shares a practical framework built around four core elements: process, pipeline, people and pricing. Each one either helps move deals forward or quietly holds them back.Are your salespeople chasing deals that were never real? Is...2025-05-2827 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastWhat a Gun in the Face Teaches YouHigh-stakes decisions don’t reward the loudest voice; they favor the calmest mind and the clearest why.Maartje van Krieken is joined by Jeffrey Owens, a former police officer, FBI-trained hostage negotiator, and executive leader, for a conversation that connects crisis response tactics to the boardroom. What does facing down an armed man teach you about managing people under pressure? And how can the rules of hostage negotiation help leaders make better decisions in chaotic moments?Jeff shares the hostage negotiation lessons that shaped his career, including a story where listening, not authority, saved his li...2025-05-2126 min
Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup LaunchpadMaartje van Krieken - Managing Chaos for StartupsMaartje van Krieken from The Chaos Games Consulting talks about 'turning business chaos around"The main topic of their discussion was to provide tips to startups on how to prioritize and increase productivity amidst chaos.Decision-Making Hygiene in StartupsIn the meeting, Mary and Maartje discussed the importance of decision-making hygiene in startups. Maartje emphasized the need for clear decision-making frameworks, such as the Stanford method, to avoid biases and make informed decisions. She also highlighted the importance of understanding stakeholders' decision-making processes and tailoring pitches accordingly. Mary agreed, noting that startups often...2025-05-2108 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastForesight Unleashed: SCAN Smart!Most businesses don't fail from bad decisions; they fail because they never saw the storm coming.This episode is a wake-up call for leaders who are too busy managing today to think about what’s coming next. Maartje van Krieken breaks down the concept of Environmental Scanning and why it matters far more than most executives realize. Are you missing the early warning signals that could shape or shake your business? Are you confusing busyness with foresight?Maartje introduces the SCAN framework (Signals, Context, Alignment, Navigation) as a way to build strategic foresight in business. Sh...2025-05-1423 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastHow to Be a Cybersecurity PorcupineMost businesses overlook cybersecurity risk management until an attack hits, but small moves like the “porcupine strategy” and multi-factor authentication can be the difference between staying safe and facing a major breach. Maartje van Krieken sits down with cybersecurity expert Bryce Austin for a conversation that every business owner needs to hear. They start with a story: a business that lost over $100,000 to a wire fraud scam and ended up declaring bankruptcy. What would you do if your company faced a loss like that? Could you survive it?Bryce explains how cybersecurity risk management has shifted in a wo...2025-05-0728 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastVITALS Matter – Reading People When It CountsWhen a crisis hits, the leaders who move fastest aren’t the ones clinging to the org chart. They’re the ones who know exactly who their people really are.In this episode, Maartje van Krieken shares a look at crisis leadership and what it truly demands. When volatility takes over, can you still see the emotional and mental state of your team? Or are you relying on titles and job descriptions that no longer fit the situation? Maartje explains why spotting who has the energy, trust, and alignment to step up can make or break your reco...2025-04-3026 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastConflict Is Inevitable—How You Respond Isn’tConflict doesn’t kill momentum. Our silence around it does.Maartje van Krieken makes a case for why conflict resolution in growing businesses should be a core leadership skill, not something we save for when things get bad. She shares a bold truth: most workplace conflict comes from fear. Fear of being left behind. Fear of failure. Fear of losing control. And when those fears go unspoken, they don’t just slow teams down. They damage trust, communication, and performance.What happens when leaders let tension linger? How much collaboration is lost when no one want...2025-04-2325 min
Thriving ThroughE07 From Corporate Chaos to Consulting Success: How Maartje Turned Crisis into Opportunity | Maartje van KriekenIn this episode of the "Thriving Through" podcast, host AJ Riedel speaks with Maartje of The Chaos Games Consulting. Maartje shares her journey transitioning from a decades-long career in oil and gas to independent consulting in 2024. She discusses the challenges that prompted her career change.Throughout the conversation, Maartje talks about the surprises and difficulties of building her independent consulting business, including finding the right peer network, developing her brand, and staying motivated. She explains how her business helps medium-sized companies in volatile environments improve their decision-making processes and people dynamics.The interview offers valuable insights for...2025-04-1736 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastDon’t Wait Out Market Chaos—Act NowWhen the market tilts without warning, leadership means stepping up even when the chaos wasn’t your fault.What do you do when geopolitical tension, tariffs, or broken supply chains knock your business off course? In this episode, Maartje van Krieken talks about responding to global market disruptions and why waiting to see how things shake out can cost you more than you think.Maartje walks through the first move every leader needs to make: building situational awareness. How do you get a clear picture of what’s happening, what you don’t know yet, and wh...2025-04-1624 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Danger of Drifting: Why Businesses Fail in Volatile TimesWaiting out the chaos might feel safe, but in business, standing still during a storm is often the fastest way to lose your course entirely.When a crisis hits, why do so many leaders freeze? What makes waiting feel safer than steering, even when we know the storm won’t pass anytime soon?In this episode, Maartje van Krieken digs into what happens when leadership inertia during uncertainty takes hold and how it quietly erodes momentum, clarity, and confidence. Drawing from her experience as a skipper, she shows how business leaders often hope for conditions to...2025-04-0925 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastScaling Checkup: Is Your Leadership Fit for the Future?Most CEOs don’t plan their own exit. What happens when the person who built the company isn’t the right one to scale it?Scott Calderwood joins Maartje van Krieken to talk about CEO transition strategies, scaling leadership challenges, and executive hiring mistakes. When a company reaches a breaking point—whether at Series C funding, IPO, or another growth stage—how do leaders know if they’re still the right fit? And more importantly, what happens when they aren’t?Scott shares hard-earned insights from decades in executive search, and reveals why cultural fit matters as m...2025-04-0225 min
The Boundary Breakers Collective Talk ShowThriving as a Female Leader in Male-Dominated Spaces with Maartje van KriekenIn this powerful episode, Maartje van Krieken shares her incredible journey of thriving as a leader in male-dominated spaces. From steering billion-dollar oil projects in war zones to mentoring the next generation of female leaders, Maartje embodies resilience, adaptability, and leadership excellence. 🔑 Key Highlights from the Episode: Empowering Women: Discover how Maartje navigates environments with less than 5% female representation. Personal Growth: Learn how embracing her authentic voice and values shaped her career and motherhood. Breaking Boundaries: Insights into turning barriers into opportunities across industries and cultures. Leadership Insights: Practical strategies for fostering collaboration, navigating wor...2025-03-2746 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Hidden Growth Killer: A Stagnant TeamWhen your leadership team can’t evolve with your business, scaling challenges become even harder to navigate. How do you know when it’s time to make tough decisions about key positions in your organization?In this episode, Maartje van Krieken talks about the uncomfortable reality that the leaders who helped you get to where you are may not be the ones who can take you further. As businesses grow, the need for leadership change becomes more evident. So, how do you spot the signs like decision bottlenecks or a shift from proactive to reactive thinking before they der...2025-03-2627 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastScaling Smart: Avoiding Investor FalloutTrust is everything in leadership. Lose it, and investors won’t think twice about making a change.Maartje van Krieken takes a hard look at investor trust in scaling businesses as she breaks down why half of founder-CEOs don’t last three years after investment. When trust erodes, misalignment creeps in, and investors start questioning whether leadership can take the company to the next stage.This episode explores founder-CEO transitions, the growing tension between long-term vision and investor demands, and the red flags that make investors lose confidence. Maartje shares what founders can do to stre...2025-03-1927 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastScaling Right: The Role of Brand MessagingMost businesses think they know why customers choose them until they realize they’ve been focusing on the wrong thing all along.Maartje van Krieken sits down with Orly Zeewy for a sharp, no-nonsense look at brand messaging strategy and why so many businesses miss the mark. Orly shares how companies can stop marketing what they think matters and start focusing on what actually drives customer loyalty. She breaks down a case study of a business that spent decades highlighting the wrong thing, only to turn everything around with the right message.How do you kn...2025-03-1228 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastDelegation Done Right: Free Up 40% of Your Time Without Losing ControlMost leaders could free up nearly half their workload but refuse to let go. Why is delegation so hard, and what’s the cost of holding on too tightly?Maartje van Krieken unpacks why so many leaders become the bottleneck in their own organizations. Fear of mistakes, trust issues, and the belief that no one else can do the job quite as well keep leaders trapped in a cycle of overwork and micromanagement. But real leadership isn’t about doing everything but about creating the right structures so decisions flow to the right people at the right time...2025-03-0519 min
#12minconvosMaartje van Krieken: The Power of Structure: How to Create Order in Chaos and Achieve Your Business Goals /Ep 3471Maartje van Krieken is a distinguished keynote speaker whose profound expertise and dynamic presence captivate and inspire audiences across the globe. With a storied career in project, change, and crisis management within the high-stakes oil and gas industry, Maartje brings over two decades of invaluable experience to her speaking engagements. Her latest keynote, "The Chaos Games: May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor - How to outsmart, outlast, and outperform in the arena of business turmoil," is a masterclass in navigating the complexities and challenges of today's business environment. Tailored for leaders and startup visionaries, Maartje's presentations are...2025-03-0313 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastGrowing Pains: The Leadership Shift from Doing to DelegatingScaling a business comes with big decisions, tough conversations, and the challenge of building a team that can grow with you. How do you know when it’s time to shift roles, implement structure, or step back so others can take the lead?Maartje van Krieken sits down with Jennifer Cresswell, a growth strategist and the founder of Thoughtgro, to break down the realities of scaling in entrepreneurship. They dig into the people dynamics that make or break a growing business. When the team that got you here isn’t the team that will get you there, how...2025-02-2625 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastAvoiding the Fumble: How Leaders Can Make Smarter Calls in ChaosHesitation under pressure costs more than a bad decision. This season 2 kick-off episode of The Business Emergency Room unpacks how to make fast, confident calls when the stakes are high.When everything is unfolding fast, how do you make the right call without second-guessing yourself? Host Maartje van Krieken shares a real-world example of decision-making gone wrong, turning a simple family outing into a mess of miscommunication and last-minute scrambling. The parallels to business are clear: disruption happens, and leaders who hesitate risk bigger problems.This episode breaks down how to define the decision at...2025-02-1925 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastSeason 2 TrailerScaling a business isn’t just about strategy—it’s about navigating chaos, making fast but sound decisions, and keeping teams aligned under pressure. The Business Emergency Room helps leaders, founders, and decision-makers sharpen their decision-making mechanics, master people dynamics, and build resilience in uncertain markets. Host Maartje van Krieken shares battle-tested frameworks to eliminate bottlenecks, avoid analysis paralysis, and turn turbulence into traction. Tune in weekly for real-world insights to lead with confidence and thrive in turmoil.For leaders facing: High-stakes decisions, VUCA market conditions, crisis management, and rapid business growth pains.2025-02-1400 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastScaling Without Chaos: Strategies for the Entrepreneur to CEO TransitionIn the dynamic world of business growth, the transition from entrepreneur to CEO is often fraught with challenges that can either propel a company forward or lead to burnout. This episode sheds light on the pivotal strategies that help business owners navigate rapid growth, avoid common pitfalls, and build sustainable success. The conversation uncovers the importance of strategic planning, effective delegation, and the mindset shifts required to lead with clarity and purpose.Key insights from this discussion:The Entrepreneur’s Growth Struggle – Why many business owners feel stuck working long hours and the critical mindset shift need...2025-02-1220 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastApplying Disaster Response Tactics to Business DisruptionsDisruptions are an inevitable part of both life and business, but how we respond to them can make all the difference. In this episode, we explore the structured crisis response strategies used by the Red Cross Disaster Action Teams and how these same principles can be applied to business disruptions. With clear decision-making, effective communication, accountability and escalation definition, and a focus on immediate priorities, businesses can strengthen their resilience and navigate crises with confidence. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or part of an organization facing unexpected challenges, this episode will equip you with actionable insights to stay prepared...2025-02-0522 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Leadership Formula for Turbulence: Trust, Resilience, and Psychological SafetyNavigating high-pressure situations in the workplace requires more than just strategy—it demands trust, empathy, and a culture of psychological safety. In this episode, Maxine Legal, CEO and founder of Thrive Inclusively, shares insights from her 20+ years of leadership in healthcare to help leaders and teams thrive under pressure. Discover actionable strategies to foster resilience, communication, and trust, even in the most dynamic business environments.Throughout this talk, we dive into:The importance of psychological safety and how it transforms workplace dynamics.Why transparent communication builds trust, especially in times of uncertainty or crisis.How to ta...2025-01-2925 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastDefusing the Dilemma: How Resourcefulness Solves Big ChallengesWhat happens when you’re tasked with solving a high-stakes problem you know almost nothing about? This episode of The Business Emergency Room takes you behind the scenes of a fascinating real-life challenge: tackling the unknown to support critical decision-making.Join Maartje as she recounts a pivotal experience early in her career—a multi-billion-dollar investment opportunity in Iran, fraught with risks, including unexploded ordinances in an oil field near the Iran-Iraq border. With little knowledge of the issue and limited resources, her team had to think fast, ask the right questions, and collaborate effectively to provide leadership with...2025-01-2230 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Human Factor in Corporate Change: Insights from a Critical Incident Stress Management ExpertWhat if the key to overcoming your organization's toughest challenges lies in understanding the human element? In this compelling podcast episode, psychotherapist Elaine Belson shares her journey from over 30 years in psychotherapy to becoming a social work officer in the U.S. Army at age 42, including her deployment to Afghanistan. She recounts a pivotal experience providing critical incident stress management after 9/11 for a healthcare organization. While addressing immediate trauma, she uncovered deeper organizational challenges stemming from a merger. Elaine emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, effective communication, and human-centered leadership in navigating crises and maintaining workplace well-being. Her structured...2025-01-1523 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Art of Opportunity Framing: Getting Unstuck and Restarting ProgressFeeling overwhelmed by unclear goals or stalled projects? This episode dives into the transformative power of "opportunity framing"—a structured approach to redefine success and realign teams amid chaos. Using Toyota’s 2010 accelerator pedal recall as a case study, the discussion highlights how to assess crises, prioritize impactful actions, and establish clear direction to rebuild trust and efficiency. By embracing tools like AI, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring transparency, teams can shift from reactive firefighting to proactive progress, unlocking clarity and focus for long-term success.About the Host:Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth of e...2025-01-0823 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Conflict Cure: Grounding Techniques and Resilience Tools for LeadersUnlock the secrets to transforming overwhelm into empowerment in a dynamic discussion recorded live at Podapalooza, featuring Robyn McTague, a specialist in team engagement and conflict resolution after 3 decades with WorkSafeBC, a workers' compensation insurer in British Columbia, Canada. This episode discusses shifting from panic to power, cultivating emotional and physical awareness, and leveraging tools like motivational mapping and the Enneagram for personal and team resilience. Robyn emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual motivators, the value of grounding techniques, and the transformative power of curiosity in conflict resolution. Leaders are encouraged to identify energy drains, build resilience, and align...2025-01-0120 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastProcess Decay: The Silent Killer of Business Efficiency—and How to Fix ItProcess Decay is a chronic condition in almost all organizations and can be a significant invisible contributor to overload and turmoil - i.e. Bad Chaos. Do you feel your organization is burdened by inefficiencies that hinder progress? This episode sheds light on the concept of "process decay," a pervasive issue where outdated, redundant, or misaligned ways of working silently drain 20-30% of annual revenue while consuming significant employee time. With compelling examples and research-backed insights, this episode highlights how ineffective processes can bottleneck operations, increase frustration, and reduce compliance. By streamlining and modernizing workflows, you can cut costs...2024-12-2529 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastWorkplace Mental Health Triage Tools from The Mental Health ComedianTrigger warning: This episode discusses suicide and mental health. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to a trusted friend, a mental health professional, or a crisis hotline in your area.Workplace mental health is not just a tick-box exercise; it’s a vital, actionable step toward saving lives. This discussion with Frank King, a renowned advocate and mental health comedian, underscores the profound impact of mental health awareness and suicide prevention in professional settings. With 85% of suicides occurring among people aged 18-65—many of whom spend their days at w...2024-12-1829 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastInformation Overload: The Silent Drain on Creativity and EfficiencyOverwhelmed by the flood of data in today's fast-paced business environment? This discussion dives into the critical issue of "information inflation," where 90% of existing data has been generated in just the past two years. The constant influx of redundant and excessive information strains productivity, creativity, and decision-making. Leaders and teams alike face increasing challenges to prioritize, streamline communication, and maintain focus amidst redundant information. But there is hope—strategic practices such as periodic chaos cleanses, optimized technology use, and structured collaboration can help tame the data storm. Addressing these challenges is vital for unlocking organizational efficiency, innovation, and clarity in...2024-12-1131 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Anatomy of Readiness: Emergency Preparedness & Response at Tulane UniversityEmergencies test the resilience and adaptability of individuals and organizations, but preparation makes the difference between chaos and control. In this insightful conversation, Meredith Beers, Associate Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Tulane University, shares her experience managing diverse and complex scenarios ranging from natural disasters to campus-specific crises. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication, an adaptable all-hazards plan, and structured decision-making to ensure safety and continuity. Her proactive approach to training, collaboration with external agencies, and stakeholder feedback fosters a robust emergency management system, applicable beyond the academic environment. This episode underscores the value of readiness...2024-12-0433 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastLeadership in Turmoil: Turning Workplace Dysfunction into CollaborationPicture a workplace where chaos thrives, not because people lack talent, but because communication falters and goals feel uninspiring. Could the solution to this turmoil lie in something as simple—and powerful—as better communication and inspired goal-setting? In this episode, we explore how leaders and employees can build better workplace dynamics by tackling these challenges head-on. The conversation delves into the concept of "bad bosses," not as individuals, but as behaviors that can be corrected through communication and self-awareness. Ken shares his unique approach to goal setting, emphasizing the importance of inspiration and energy in achieving clarity and focu...2024-11-2721 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastCrisis Talk: Turning Chaos into Strategic CommunicationWhen disaster strikes and reputations are on the line, are you ready to communicate your way through the storm? Effective crisis communication is a cornerstone of business resilience, as highlighted in this discussion with Melissa Hodgson, a seasoned PR and Communications Expert. Drawing from over three decades of experience, Melissa emphasizes the importance of proactive planning to mitigate business emergencies, from natural disasters to reputation crises. She shares insights on why organizations must anticipate vulnerabilities and cultivate trusted relationships with communication specialists. Moreover, she stresses the role of transparency, respect, and tactful messaging in managing public and media narratives...2024-11-2027 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastDecision Deadlock: Moving out of Paralysis into Action ASAPIn a fast-paced business world, decision paralysis is a major obstacle in business, stalling innovation and financial success. Maartje tackles this issue head-on, highlighting how fear, overwhelming data, high stakes, and unclear objectives often keep leaders stuck. She cites studies revealing that indecision significantly impacts financial performance and employee productivity, making swift, confident decision-making essential for thriving in a competitive landscape. To overcome this, Maartje recommends a structured approach: clearly define decisions, align options on equal terms, and focus on actionable data. Bringing in an external facilitator to provide fresh perspectives or using frameworks like the Stanford Decision Quality...2024-11-1318 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastBridging Generations: Navigating Family Business SuccessionFamily-run businesses are rich with legacy, but they can also harbor complexities, especially when facing generational transitions. Navigating these critical transitions takes more than a solid business plan; it requires wisdom, respect, and sometimes, a little outside help. As an expert in this field, Mike Schmitt shares his insights on how to secure a sustainable future for family enterprises. Mike explains how his work bridges financial guidance and interpersonal mediation, helping families navigate generational transitions smoothly. He highlights the challenges families face when blending business with personal history, emphasizing communication and proactive planning to avoid conflicts. With examples from...2024-11-0626 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastAn Overdose of Change: Breaking Free from Fatigue and ChaosChange overdose is real, and it’s draining your business. With 73% of organizations facing change saturation and nearly half of employees experiencing fatigue from constant shifts, it’s clear that too much change is overwhelming teams and killing productivity. Maartje breaks down the impact of this "change overdose" and shows how it leads to business chaos, lower morale, and a weakened ability to respond to unexpected challenges. But there’s a way out. By rethinking how we approach change, creating space to reassess priorities, and focusing on strategic, high-impact projects, you can regain control. Learn how to shift from reacti...2024-10-3036 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastHarnessing Networks: Solving Big Problems Fast | 014When crisis hits, the strength of your network can be the key to survival. Dr. Sumit D. Chowdhury, founder and president of Green Earth X and creator of the Gaia platform, joins the show to talk about the power of networks during emergencies and how they can make or break crisis management. Drawing from his vast experience in telecom, consulting, and digital transformation, Dr. Chowdhury explains how meaningful connections, both personal and professional, can come together to solve big problems. He also emphasizes that even solopreneurs and small business owners can harness the power of their networks during tough...2024-10-2331 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastTwo Sides of the Emergency: Offshore Response vs. Onshore Failures | 013When emergencies hit, clear communication can make all the difference—especially when it’s lacking. In this episode, Maartje and her husband, Eelco, dive into the communication gaps they experienced during a serious offshore incident. Eelco was on the platform when an explosion occurred, and while emergency procedures were well-executed on-site, the communication with those onshore, including Maartje, was fragmented and frustrating. From receiving minimal information hours after the event to mixed messages and confusing protocols, the company’s handling of communication with families and non-affected personnel revealed significant shortcomings. This episode highlights the crucial role of transparent, timely commun...2024-10-1647 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastFrom Fire to Financial Freedom with Jason Nightingale | 012When disaster strikes, it can feel like everything is falling apart. But what if that catastrophe could become the spark for your greatest comeback? In this episode, we share the inspiring story of Jason Nightingale, an entrepreneur who lost everything when a fire destroyed his 28-year business. Rather than give up, Jason used the devastation as motivation to create a financial strategy that paid off his mortgage in 30 months and helped thousands of others reduce their debt faster. His journey shows how to turn chaos into opportunity and setbacks into success. Whether you're facing financial struggles or looking to...2024-10-0925 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Unexpected Exit: Managing Business Without Key Players | 011Losing a key player in your business is one of the toughest challenges to face, whether it’s due to illness, sudden departure, or other unforeseen events. How do you handle the chaos left behind and keep everything moving forward? This episode tackles the emotional and operational impact of losing essential team members, offering practical tips on how to lead through the storm. It’s all about putting people first—addressing emotions, offering support, and ensuring the team has what it needs to push through. Learn how to manage the gap left behind, engage with stakeholders, and decide when to bri...2024-10-0227 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastHurricane Katrina & Deepwater Horizon: The Louisiana Seafood Comeback | 010When disaster hits, it's not just about weathering the storm—it’s about rising stronger on the other side. This episode is a powerful look at how to turn devastation into determination, featuring Ewell Smith’s incredible journey in helping the Louisiana seafood industry recover from Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. Entire communities were torn apart, boats destroyed, and trust shattered, but Ewell shares how they came together, fought for support, and rebuilt their livelihoods against the odds. His stories of resilience, grit, and finding opportunity in crisis are a reminder that no matter how overwhe...2024-09-2530 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastCritical Disruptions: Major Repairs Under Pressure | 009How do you handle business chaos when it hits you out of nowhere? Maartje dives into the reality of dealing with big breakdowns after they've already disrupted operations, offering insights into the immediate steps to get back on track. She shares practical tactics for emergency physical and system repairs and major fixes that can stabilize your business in the aftermath of a crisis. Drawing from real-life scenarios, Maartje illustrates how to manage the fallout of unexpected disruptions from system and physical failures, outlining the key steps to repair or fix as soon as practically possible without it becoming an...2024-09-1830 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastStarting Over, and Over… with Resilience Expert Romeo El-Chaer | 008In a profound exploration of resilience and change, Romeo El-Chaer shares his insights on overcoming adversity both personally and within organizations. Born with the challenge of a significant childhood injury in the backdrop of war-torn Lebanon, Romeo's life experiences have deeply ingrained the importance of resilience. Throughout the discussion, Romeo emphasizes the transformative power of recognizing one's inherent strengths and the importance of leadership in fostering a supportive and resilient environment. His story is not just about personal survival but about thriving in the face of adversity by helping others discover their potential to overcome and succeed....2024-09-1125 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastPrioritization: Steering Through the Overwhelm | 007In the whirlwind of business chaos, where the heat is high and the stakes even higher, Maartje steps in with practical wisdom on mastering the art of prioritization. She delves into the necessity of stripping back to the essentials, advocating for a reductionist approach that not only clarifies what truly matters but also lightens the load on overburdened teams. With a blend of personal insights and professional strategies, Maartje offers a guide to cutting through the noise, enabling leaders to refocus on their core objectives and navigate their way out of the fire towards a clearer, more directed future.2024-09-0420 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastMake Money, Not Mistakes with Sharon Galluzzo | 006Imagine standing at the edge of financial ruin, only to make a decision that changes everything. Sharon Galluzzo shares how she and her husband went from the brink of losing everything to building an award-winning, six-figure business. Through resilience and a clear vision, they navigated the chaos of the 2008 economic crisis, turning their challenges into opportunities. Sharon dives into the importance of having a solid plan, understanding your market, and staying committed to your goals, even when the world around you is in turmoil. Her story is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, you can not only...2024-08-2817 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastOut of the Fire: Moving out of that “Now what?” Moment | 005When a crisis strikes and it feels like you're fighting fires in every direction, the biggest hurdle often isn't the emergency itself—it's deciding to ask for help. Maartje sheds light on the initial steps to take when overwhelmed, emphasizing the importance of recognizing when you need support. She reveals that the first move is often the hardest but most crucial, encouraging leaders to overcome the stigma associated with seeking external expertise. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that reaching out for help isn't a sign of weakness, but a strategic step towards regaining control and steering your bu...2024-08-2826 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastThe Business Swiss Army Knife with Tim Newman | 004Ever wish you had a "Swiss Army knife" for your business challenges? Tim Newman is just that—bringing a wealth of experience and versatility to every project he touches. In this episode, Tim shares his journey as an independent consultant, revealing how he navigates the complexities of capital projects and business building. With his unique ability to balance visionary ideas with practical execution, Tim offers invaluable advice on avoiding common pitfalls and the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and strong peer networks. Whether you're leading a startup or managing a growing company, this conversation is packed with insights to he...2024-08-2835 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastDismantling Help Hesitation | 003When uncertainty looms and decision-making becomes daunting, the question isn't just about navigating through the chaos—it's also about why businesses hesitate to seek help. Maartje delves into the common barriers that prevent organizations from engaging with consultants. She addresses concerns about compatibility, the fear of endless contracts, and the cost implications that often deter businesses from obtaining the guidance they need. By emphasizing the value of tailored, short-term engagements, Maartje clarifies how strategic consultation can efficiently pinpoint issues and set the stage for long-term success, encouraging leaders to overcome their apprehensions and embrace expert support to secure their bu...2024-08-2824 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastTriage Your Business Turmoil with Expert Guidance | 002In this episode Maartje carries on the conversation about what working with her is like. From short-term contracts to interim management, Maartje works alongside you to calm the situation, strategize, and implement practical solutions. Whether it's redefining your vision, managing resources, or creating a roadmap for the next few months, Maartje is hands-on, making sure your business regains its footing. Her ultimate goal is to empower you with the tools to thrive, so you can navigate challenges with confidence, even after she's stepped away.About the Host:Your host, Maartje van Krieken, brings a wealth...2024-08-2817 min
The Business Emergency Room PodcastNavigating out of Business Chaos | 001When chaos strikes and the storm clouds gather, the difference between sinking and sailing often comes down to how quickly you can find calm amidst the turmoil. Maartje van Krieken, an engineer turned business strategist, dives into her journey of transforming organizational chaos into structured, thriving entities. Drawing from her experiences in oil and gas, disaster response, and her own consulting firm, she shares how her unique ability to see patterns in the midst of chaos helps businesses navigate through emergencies. This episode is an empowering reminder that with the right approach, even the most daunting challenges can lead...2024-08-2813 minThe Business Emergency Room PodcastAre You Ready for Your Business Emergency Room Visit?Join host Maartje van Krieken as she takes you through the journey of what inspired her to begin this podcast and how it will offer you immediate insights and ready-to-deploy solutions addressing the most complex business challenges so you can stay ahead of the game.2024-08-2305 min
Unstoppable MindsetUnstoppable Crisis Manager and Chaos Expert with Maartje van KriekenIn this episode we meet a very interesting and fascinating woman, Maartje van Krieken. Maartje was born and grew up in the Netherlands. While a child she began to dream about traveling and seeing other parts of the world outside Holland. Her first major lone travel experience came while in high school when she participated in a student exchange program in Parris.
After college she took a position with a firm in the Netherlands, but decided after a bit that she wanted more as she didn’t really like just working in one place. Besides, she met a man who...2024-08-161h 05
Mike Spillman's Future You University - Let's Talk RELATIONSHIPSHow to Handle CHAOS and Use it to Your Advantage with special guest Maartje van KriekenCHAOS is defined as "a condition or place of great disorder or confusion. A disorderly mass; a jumble". Have you ever experienced CHAOS in your personal life and/or your business? Here's a note - if you haven't, you WILL because it is simply a part of life!Mike's guest actually describes "Chaos GAMES"...GAMES?Listen in to this fun, interesting and insightful conversation with Maartje van Krieken as he discusses several situations in her life where CHAOS was definitely "front and center" of her life. Sh...2024-06-1730 min
The Next Step Podcast with Alison SimmonsMastering Chaos: Leadership Strategies for Growing Businesses with Maartje van KriekenWelcome back to The Next Step Podcast! In this episode, I am talking to Maartje van Krieken, a seasoned executive with over two decades of global experience in the oil and gas industry who is now a consultant for entrepreneurs and leaders. Maartje shares her unique insights on leadership, crisis management, and strategic planning. Tune in to hear about her transition from corporate life to consulting and discover the powerful strategies she uses to help leaders navigate chaos and create order in their businesses. Topics We Cover: Maartje’s Transition: From Amsterdam to New...2024-05-2822 min
Deepak Saini ShowAction is reaction with Maartje Van KriekenMaartje Van Krieken is a renowned expert in project, change, and crisis management with over 20 years internationally in the oil & gas industry, non profit & disaster management. As a consultant, she aids organizations in turmoil.
In this episode we discuss how recharging our own batteries helps us have the capacity to work with others and the importance of communication.
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Destined For SuccessMaartje van Krieken, Cheerleader without CheeringGet all the inside secrets and tools you need to help you develop your intuitive and leadership skills so you are on the path to the highest level of success with ease. Maartje and I met in New Orleans at Speakers Playhouse Live! We became fast friends. When I had the opportunity to share her with my audience, it was a quick YES!In this episode you will learn:Success is tapping into what you know you are good atPlant seeds for othersAsk yourself, “Says who?”Find Maartje on Link...2024-01-1523 min
Get Real. Get Loud. With Purpose.Maartje van Krieken - from working in isolated areas to living life in the hub of NOLA, there is always an opportunity to be yourself!https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/Maartja learned how to be her authentic self in the workplace the hard way, by being one of very very few females in an industry dominated by much older males and largely located in patriarchic cultures. Maartja overcame tragedy and hardship to find her path, leading to a fulfilling professional life, peace with herself and her name becoming a professional title on its own.These days, Maartja works as an executive consultant, helping medium to XL organizations get unstuck, and back to delivering sustainably. With her infectious energy, diverse experience and ability to bring...2023-10-0636 min