In the 1970s, Professor Sjir Nijssen discovered how to identify, analyze, and structure knowledge in such a way that it can be used in calculations.
Professor Sjir Nijssen, our founder, has been working for more than fifty years to help people use knowledge more efficiently. In the 1970s, he discovered how to identify, analyze, and structure knowledge in such a way that it can be used for calculations. This makes it possible to make specific knowledge accessible to a larger group of people in understandable language. As a result, waste can be prevented, and companies can thrive in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
His insight was the primary driving force behind the development of the current cogNIAM® method. A scientific method that is central to PNA’s approach. A method that enables organizations to manage knowledge sustainably in practice—based on current global standards in the field of knowledge management.
Read more on the Sjir Nijssen Wikipedia page.
Our work is driven by an idealistic vision: the belief that a rigorous approach to knowledge can help combat the global waste of knowledge, time, and money. Call us idealists. Call us do-gooders. But we believe in this approach. And we’ve been proving it for a long time.
With the appointment of Maurice Nijssen—son of—as managing director, PNA has undergone a significant new development. He is constantly working to make organizations’ knowledge capital more widely applicable.
This ranges from the day-to-day operations of organizations to collaboration within the supply chain. Not only for commercial entities, but also—through partnerships—to develop innovative solutions for societal challenges. So we look beyond the immediate horizon. We don’t get bogged down in frivolous theories, but instead build a solid foundation to gain a firm grasp on knowledge capital—and thus create opportunities for growth.
Frank Harmsen joined PNA as a managing director and shareholder in January 2018. Before joining PNA, Frank was a partner at EY Advisory, where he was responsible for transformation and digitization projects. In addition, Frank serves as a special professor of knowledge and information management at Maastricht University. Maurice is delighted with Frank’s arrival. “We complement each other. With his background, Frank is a perfect fit for PNA. His broad practical experience as a management consultant for leading organizations is extremely valuable to us. With his experience at the executive level, we can make an even greater impact.”
For Frank, the move from a major firm like EY to PNA makes perfect sense. “After working for nearly 25 years at larger firms like Capgemini and EY, I was drawn to entrepreneurship. Starting my own business seemed like an interesting challenge, but what could be better than moving forward together with like-minded people? PNA is a perfect fit for me, both in terms of content and culture. I want to use my experience to help PNA take the next step.”
With this expansion, PNA is now even better equipped to carry out comprehensive renewal and transformation projects for its clients, including the strategic and change management aspects.