Notes on writing and what it’s like to work as an interim manager
Notes about my passion for writing, journaling and the last business trip of the year to the Netherlands
It’s been a while since I’ve written a story in my own words. I got lazy. Relied on LLMs for structured “perfect” content and nearly forgot that I really enjoy writing.
Out of all the arts, writing is the one thing I continue to come back to. It took me years to master, find my own voice. Rid myself of the feeling that my sentences are too long, my thoughts too complex and my language wordy.
This is what I was told over and over again when I was young. I was never the best student, at least not the one who followed the (writing) rules. But I did always have a way with words. A broad vocabulary develops quickly when you take an interest in (many) little things.
This hasn’t changed.
And I have always continued to write. I journal occasionally, just to document my own journey and save precious moments. Most of that writing is for my eyes only, though.
My last businesses trip in 2025
Today, I’m on my way to the Netherlands. I am helping out the Faceland team with their international performance marketing efforts in a fractional executive capacity. This is one of the friendliest teams I’ve ever worked with. Professional, approachable, willing to learn, and fun to be around.
Not all client work is the same. And you never truly know what’s going to happen when you work with a team in an interim role. Some teams are glad that you’re there to help out and get things done, and others would rather “wait you out” until the long term solution is in place.
From my experience, there is no such thing as a long term solution. You don’t know if the right person for the job will come around, and whether all pieces will fall right into place as you had imagined it.
Tools evolve. The market sentiment changes. The product and service portfolio is in constant motion. You have to respond to all of these factors.
So why waste a good day, thinking about what might be tomorrow. Just get things done together, today?
I love working with teams who understand that there is little value in waiting for the perfect setup or solution. Those that when in doubt will ask around and try to get quick answers and act on it.
This business trip will probably be the last one before Christmas, or maybe even the final one for this year. And I’m already looking forward to 2026. Pick up where 2025 left off and continue to drive or help manage change on marketing and sales teams in transition.
With all the AI greatness out there, we’ll have our work cut out for us.
Remco
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the biggest advantage of bringing in a Fractional Executive for international marketing? The primary advantage is "speed to impact." A fractional executive brings a high-level, external perspective and a proven toolkit that can be deployed immediately. For teams like Faceland, this means we don't wait for a "permanent" hire to start driving performance; we optimize the international marketing efforts in real-time while the long-term solution matures.
2. How do you handle teams that are resistant to interim or fractional leadership? Resistance usually stems from the "wait-it-out" mentality—the idea that an interim role is just a placeholder. I counter this by delivering quick wins and fostering an approachable, collaborative environment. Once a team sees that I am there to make their daily work easier and their results better, the "interim" label disappears and we simply become one high-performing team.
3. Why do you argue that there is "no such thing as a long-term solution" in marketing? In today’s market, "long-term" is a moving target. With AI evolving monthly and market sentiments shifting overnight, a static five-year plan is often obsolete before it’s finished. The real "long-term solution" isn't a person or a specific tool; it’s building a culture that is agile, responsive, and willing to act on today's data rather than tomorrow's "perfect" setup.
4. How do you balance the use of LLMs with your own professional voice? LLMs are incredible for structure and processing, but they often sanitize the personality out of writing. As a storyteller, I use AI for the "heavy lifting" of data and technical workflows, but I return to "my own words" for everything that requires nuance, empathy, and personal brand authority. The "voice" is what builds the trust that the AI cannot.
5. What is your primary goal when helping marketing and sales teams in transition? To stop the "waiting game." Many teams stall during transitions, waiting for the perfect hire or the perfect budget. My goal is to drive momentum—helping them use the tools they have now to respond to the market immediately. We focus on "getting things done today" so that by the time 2026 rolls around, the foundation is already rock solid.