Meet Arjan van den Herik: Data Strategy and Business Innovation Expert

My name is Arjan van den Herik, and I’m 53 years old. As the founder and Senior Data Strategist at ImagineerLab, I bring over 25 years of experience in data strategy, business innovation, and advanced analytics. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about turning data into a strategic asset that drives measurable business outcomes. My approach to data and innovation is not just about collecting and analyzing numbers; it’s about creating a deep understanding of how data can transform business models, increase competitiveness, and fuel sustainable growth.

Extensive Experience in Data-Driven Leadership

I have held leadership roles across various industries, all focused on creating data-driven strategies and achieving strategic busin ess outcomes through innovation. My ability to bridge technical solutions with business goals is shaped by the diverse experiences below:

• Senior Data Strategist & Founder – ImagineerLab: As the driving force behind ImagineerLab, I specialize in data strategy, AI, and innovation methodologies. My role includes working with organizations to help them unlock the power of their data, empowering them to make smarter decisions, accelerate innovation, and stay ahead of the competition.
  
• Commercial Development Leader – Strategic Intelligence at Aon: I spearheaded data-driven task forces and led strategic initiatives that helped create new value propositions for Aon’s clients. By leveraging strategic intelligence, I identified opportunities for data monetization and developed partnerships that drove significant growth for the organization.
  
• Enterprise Data Intelligence Consultant at Aon: As a senior advisor, I designed and executed data strategies that enabled global clients to gain real-time insights and use predictive analytics to anticipate risks and opportunities. My work helped clients integrate data more effectively into their decision-making processes.
  
• Senior Business Analytics Consultant & Product Owner at Aon: I was responsible for managing key business intelligence portfolios, streamlining operations, and ensuring that data-driven solutions were used to enhance business processes and improve efficiency.
  

• Lead Consultant – Business Discovery & Self-Service BI at Aon: I led the implementation of various Business Discovery platforms, transforming the way businesses used self-service BI solutions. My role involved data modeling, ETL processes, and data architecture—critical functions in ensuring that organizations could generate meaningful insights from their data.
  
• Deputy CIO EMEA – Aon EMEA: As Deputy CIO, I played a crucial role in the development and execution of IT strategies across the EMEA region. I was responsible for overseeing IT infrastructure projects, outsourcing, and developing metrics for IT performance that ensured alignment with the organization’s strategic objectives.
  
• Manager Project Management Office at Aon: In this role, I established and led the Project Management Office (PMO), ensuring that major projects, such as cost-reduction initiatives and IT infrastructure upgrades, were delivered on time and within budget. My PMO oversight ensured the organization’s IT strategy was closely aligned with business goals.
  
• Lead Developer – Management & Financial Information Systems at Erasmus Leven: I developed and implemented a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS) and Financial Information System (FIS), streamlining financial reporting and providing real-time insights into business performance.
  
• Co-founder of GIM at Assurantie Systemen Nederland: I co-developed the Generic Interface Manager (GIM), an XML-based communication standard for the Dutch insurance market. This innovative system revolutionized data communication between insurers and streamlined processes for the industry.

For further details on my roles and achievements, 

please visit my LinkedIn profile.

Education That Fuels My Expertise

To maintain a competitive edge and stay at the forefront of data strategy and business innovation, I have invested in several advanced educational programs and certifications, each contributing to my holistic understanding of data and strategy:

• Strategic Foresight – Nyenrode Business University: This program sharpened my skills in future thinking and provided me with the tools to anticipate industry trends, helping businesses craft long-term data strategies that align with their future goals.
  
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – The Council for Six Sigma Certification: Through this certification, I developed a deep understanding of process optimization and data-driven decision-making, enabling me to lead projects that reduce inefficiencies and improve business outcomes.
  
• Innovation Management – Erasmus University Rotterdam: Focused on innovation methodologies like SCAMPER, this program enhanced my ability to foster creative problem-solving and guide organizations in developing new products and services.
  
• Professional Scrum Master (PSM-I) – Scrum.org: This certification provided me with agile project management skills, allowing me to lead projects that prioritize flexibility and speed, delivering results that align with client needs in a constantly changing business environment.
  
• Strategic Competitive Intelligence – Rodenberg Tillman & Associates: This program equipped me with cutting-edge skills in competitive analysis and strategic intelligence, empowering me to identify industry risks and opportunities that inform strategic business decisions.

• Design Thinking / Frame Creation – Nyenrode Business University: I apply Design Thinking methodologies in my work, focusing on human-centered innovation. This program enhanced my ability to create user-centric solutions that align with customer needs and business objectives.
• Professional Agile Leadership (PAL-EBM) – Scrum.org: This certification taught me Agile Leadership techniques, allowing me to guide teams in using evidence-based management to drive continuous improvement.
• Executive Coaching – Verbindende Zaken: This coaching program focused on leadership development and change management, helping me guide clients and organizations through periods of transformation with confidence and insight. It strengthened my ability to support others in realizing their full potential while aligning personal and organizational goals.
• Leergang Ervaren Adviseur (LEA) – GITP: This program sharpened my advisory skills, providing me with the ability to handle complex advisory processes and manage organizational transformations effectively. The insights gained from this program allow me to guide clients through sensitive transitions with a clear, structured approach.
  
• Information Security Ambassador – Aon University: In this role, I was trained to promote data security awareness and compliance with best practices across the organization. This experience enhanced my expertise in data governance and the secure handling of information, ensuring that our data-driven solutions are also compliant and secure.
  

Coaching and Mentorship

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to coaching and mentoring individuals and teams, helping them grow professionally while fostering data-driven mindsets. I take pride in guiding emerging leaders in adopting agile practices, promoting a culture of continuous learning, and empowering others to unlock the value of data within their organizations.

• Mentorship and Leadership Development: My experience as a coach extends across various leadership roles, where I mentored teams to embrace innovation methodologies like SCAMPER, Design Thinking, and Agile practices. This has empowered teams to be more self-sufficient, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and better align their work with overarching business goals.Building 
• Building Data-Literate Teams: One of my core focuses is helping businesses build data-literate teams that are capable of deriving actionable insights independently, using the right tools and techniques to drive decision-making processes. Through coaching, I work with professionals across all levels, ensuring they are equipped to handle complex data challenges with confidence.

Driving Innovation Through Data & Strategy

I am deeply passionate about innovation and its ability to transform businesses. Through data-driven insights, I help companies enhance operational efficiency, develop new products, and unlock hidden opportunities in their data. ImagineerLab’s services focus on:

• Tailored Data Strategies: We build custom strategies that align with your business goals and unlock new opportunities.
  
• Advanced Analytics: Leveraging data to generate actionable insights, optimize performance, and drive innovation.
  
• Data & Analytics Translation: Bridging the gap between technical data insights and business strategy to ensure that your data drives measurable outcomes.
  
• Dashboards & Reporting: Providing real-time insights through dashboards, empowering leadership teams to make faster decisions.
  

By combining innovation methodologies like SCAMPER with agile frameworks, Design Thinking, and Agile Leadership, we ensure that our clients stay ahead of the competition.

Magic Happens When Passion Meets Profession 

At ImagineerLab, the name itself embodies our core philosophy. The word “Imagineer” is a combination of “Imagine” and “Engineer.” We start by imagining what’s possible—exploring bold ideas, innovative solutions, and potential opportunities. Then, we engineer those ideas into reality by applying data-driven strategies, advanced analytics, and innovation methodologies. 

This blend of creativity and technical expertise ensures that we deliver solutions that not only align with our clients’ goals but also push the boundaries of what’s possible.. We believe that magic happens when passion meets profession. 

Our mantra at ImagineerLab is that magic happens when passion meets profession. This belief fuels my personal mission to help businesses unlock the potential within their data and innovation processes, turning these assets into tangible, strategic value.