Rethinking consultancy: what sets e&a apart for clients & colleagues

Consultancy is often associated with long-term on-site placements, external support for temporary capacity gaps, and a strong focus on billable hours. The typical consultancy model leans heavily on output but often lacks connection to the internal team, the client and the deeper purpose behind the work. 

At e&a consultants, we take a different approach that our team as well as our customers appreciate. We spoke with Lotte and Arne, two of e&a’s senior consultants, to hear first-hand how e&a breaks with the clichés of consultancy, and why that matters. 

What is one of the biggest differences between traditional consultancy and e&a’s way of working? 

Lotte: “Rather than being outsourced on-site to a single client for months, we always remain anchored in our own organisation. We typically work on multiple client projects in parallel with the e&a headquarters as our home base. This really helps us to maintain a strong internal culture while bringing cross-pollination and strategic consistency across client projects.” 

What happens when a new customer seeks e&a’s guidance? 

Arne: “Each new project begins with an in-depth conversation. We invest time to understand the client’s challenges, assemble the project team and co-define an approach tailored to their exact needs.”  

Lotte: “We all really appreciate working in different pairs, put together based on the specific project, expertise and workload. Each project team consists of a more experienced consultant paired with a colleague who brings a fresh perspective. These combinations shift regularly to encourage knowledge sharing and broader collaboration.  

Arne: “Indeed. There’s no off-the-shelf methodology. Instead, we remain flexible and focused on what the client truly needs, using our experience across dossiers and procedures to guide the way.”  

How would you describe your role as a consultant? 

Lotte: “It’s crucial to know that we don’t simply execute requests. We bring perspective. Many of our clients aren’t as familiar with the nuances of the Benelux healthcare landscape as we are through our years of experience. That’s where we add real value: helping shape realistic strategies, challenging assumptions, and co-creating solutions that work within the complex national frameworks.” 

Arne: “Exactly. We’re not afraid to speak up when something isn’t feasible. That openness, and our commitment to giving honest, informed advice, is something our clients appreciate. We are a partner rather than a supplier and value close collaboration and frequent alignment.”  

What is e&a’s relationship with its customers like? 

Lotte: “Rather than hopping from one client to the next, most of our partnerships are long-term and ongoing. Many clients see us as an extension of their own in-house teams, counting on us to guide core market access activities continuously.” 

Arne: “We’re the go-to partner for our customers. That trust is built on good results and a high dossier success rate, but also on our transparent way of working and open lines of communication.” 

What can you tell us about internal dynamics?   

Arne: “Internally, collaboration is key. We’re a small, close-knit team with low hierarchy and high trust. Project discussions don’t happen in silos: we have regular internal meetings to align on project direction, share high-level approaches, and gather input from colleagues, even if they’re not directly involved. We work from home about half the time but also spend a lot of time together at the office. This creates room for impromptu discussions or a quick piece of advice at the coffee machine. 

Lotte: “That openness extends to newcomers, too. Every new colleague or intern receives hands-on training, a structured onboarding programme, and early involvement in live projects, always with the support of an experienced colleague. Additionally, new joiners get appointed a specific colleague that they report to and go to for guidance.”   

How is your professional growth secured at e&a? 

Lotte: “We’re committed to staying sharp. That means actively participating in local and European events, workshops and trainings. Whether it’s learning from regulatory experts, attending industry forums, or partaking in networking events, we believe in staying connected to the bigger picture.” 

Arne: “And it’s not all work: e&a invests in team offsites, social moments and space for reflection. Sharing a laugh and a meal together is part of how we continue to grow.”