Our MVPs & experts in the spotlight – Pieter Op De Beéck

“Do I only have 10 seconds to introduce myself?” Pieter chuckles as we fire off our first question. His response perfectly reflects his personality: thoughtful, enthusiastic, and relatable. In this article, we shine the spotlight on Pieter Op De Beéck, a new Microsoft MVP specializing in Microsoft 365, providing expert advice as a Trusted Advisor at The Flow.

A day full of energy 

Pieter is a great conversationalist, as we’ve come to discover. “I love speaking to and for people,” he shares. “Even though I have a technical background, I enjoy translating complex material for non-technical audiences.”

To maintain his vibrant energy, Pieter follows a consistent routine. “I typically wake up early and start my day with a good cup of coffee and a shower,” he says. “If I have time, I try to squeeze in some exercise before work. But most importantly, I make sure to spend quality time with my children. During the lockdown, I realized just how much I value having breakfast with them.” 

The symbiosis of personal and professional growth

For Pieter, growth isn’t just a priority during a health crisis; personal and professional development are constant pursuits.

“I firmly believe that these two aspects go hand in hand,” he adds. “Those who stop learning, stand still. I find satisfaction in stepping out of my comfort zone and taking calculated risks. When something feels uncomfortable, I see it as a learning opportunity. That’s why I love the quote ‘Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear’ by American real estate developer George Adair.”

“I always try to arrive at my destination smarter than when I left home.”

Learning doesn’t always have to be a grand endeavor, though. Pieter believes that valuable insights can be gained from everyday sources, such as social media.

“Sometimes I read books; Dale Carnegie’s ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ taught me a lot about understanding people,” he shares. “I also listen to audiobooks or podcasts during my commute, like ‘Nerdland’ by Lieven Scheire. I always try to arrive at my destination smarter than when I left home.”

A futurist at heart 

It’s no surprise that Pieter is very passionate about the innovations on the horizon, despite his recent remarkable move at The Flow. “I was promoted to team lead, but as an MVP, you’re an expert dealing more with technical matters”, he reflects. “I found it difficult to juggle those two roles, so I took a step back.” 

This meant moving into the presales position, which still required technical skills, but with a focus on community interaction and public speaking. “Are you familiar with ‘Ikigai,’ the Japanese concept about finding your purpose in life?”, he asks. “I really believe in Ikigai’s philosophy and how important it is to find what’s important to you and live it.”

“Generative AI is poised to be a gamechanger in the digital landscape.”

It’s clear there’s a lot to discuss about this topic within The Flow. “Copilot for Microsoft 365 has dominated my schedule these past months”, Pieter reveals. “As part of the Cronos Group, we were among a few hundred companies globally participating in the early access program for this solution. In Belgium, we’re at the forefront of this evolution, and now we’re reaping the benefits. Generative AI is poised to be a gamechanger in the digital landscape, and no company should be left behind”, he concludes.