Peter van Zeist

10 Travel Essentials for Solutions Consultants (from Someone Who’s Been There)

17. June 20257. June 2025Peter van ZeistSolutions ConsultingLeave a comment

Discover the top 10 travel essentials every Solutions Consultant should carry. From must-have tech gear like a MacBook presenter and privacy screen to practical items like a reusable water bottle and branded lanyard, this guide is packed with real-world tips to boost your productivity and professionalism on the road. Whether you’re headed to a client workshop, trade show, or coworking space, these expert-recommended tools will help you stay organized, secure, and ready for anything.

Taming the SaaS Sprawl: How IAM Can Rein in Shadow IT in 2025

30. May 20256. June 2025Peter van ZeistDigital / Internet / SoftwareLeave a comment

In 2025, SaaS sprawl and Shadow IT are creating critical blind spots for IT and security teams. This in-depth guide explores how modern Identity and Access Management (IAM), combined with SaaS Monitoring tools like those from LastPass, empowers organizations to regain visibility, enforce secure access, and support business agility. Learn how to move from reactive firefighting to strategic governance — and why visibility is the missing link in your cloud security strategy.

Climate Protection Doesn’t Save the Climate. It Saves Us!

23. May 202519. May 2025Peter van ZeistGeneralLeave a comment

Climate change isn’t about saving the planet—it’s about protecting ourselves. In this in-depth blog post, we challenge the widespread misconception that climate protection is an act of environmental charity. Backed by the latest science, we show how Europe is warming faster than any other continent, with dire consequences for human health, economic stability, food security, infrastructure, and energy systems. From power plant shutdowns in France and failing harvests to soaring insurance costs, collapsing supply chains, and rising climate-driven migration, the post explains why climate action is no longer optional—it’s a matter of survival. With a clear message for decision-makers and business leaders, the article calls for a fundamental shift in how we understand and prioritize climate protection.

Automating Your Pool Pump in Home Assistant Based on Daily Temperature

16. May 202530. April 2025Peter van ZeistDigital / Home Improvement / Internet / Nerd Stuff / Smart HomeLeave a comment

Smart Pool Pump Automation with Home Assistant Based on Daily Temperature
Learn how to automate your pool pump in Home Assistant using a simple rule: run it for one third of the daily maximum temperature (in hours). This guide walks you through creating dynamic template sensors and a Home Assistant automation that adjusts pump runtime based on weather conditions — saving energy and maintaining water quality. Ideal for smart home enthusiasts looking to optimize pool maintenance using Home Assistant, YAML templates, and weather-based logic.

Time Management for Solutions Consultants: Mastering Your Most Valuable Resource

9. May 202512. May 2025Peter van ZeistSolutions ConsultingLeave a comment

Discover a practical, impact-driven time management framework designed specifically for presales Solutions Consultants. Learn how to structure your day, prioritize with the Impact vs. Effort matrix, reduce stress, and deliver more value in every customer interaction. Includes deep work strategies, email control tips, demo prep efficiencies, and a powerful calendar clean-up exercise. Perfect for SCs looking to work smarter, not harder.

Chasing the Electric Dream: How Combustion Cars Have Spent 30 Years Trying to Be EVs (And Still Aren’t)

2. May 202529. April 2025Peter van ZeistElectric Mobility / The serious things in lifeLeave a comment

Why have combustion cars spent 30 years trying to feel like electric vehicles—without actually going electric? From turbos to dual-clutch gearboxes to complex exhaust systems, automakers have tried everything to mimic EV performance, silence, and smoothness. This witty blog post explores how electric cars naturally deliver the driving experience combustion engines have chased for decades.

Back to the Stone Age: My Visit to a Gas Station After Two Years of Driving Electric

29. April 202529. April 2025Peter van ZeistElectric Mobility / The serious things in lifeLeave a comment

After nearly two years of driving electric, I returned to a gas station—and it felt like stepping back into the Stone Age. From grimy pumps to noxious fumes and awkward payment lines, it made me appreciate the clean, quiet convenience of EV charging even more. In this humorous and insightful blog post, I compare the outdated experience of fueling up with the effortless world of electric mobility—and why, if we reinvented transportation today, gasoline wouldn’t stand a chance.

Stay Hungry, Stay Curious, Stay Foolish – The Soul of Modern Solutions Consulting

18. April 202519. April 2025Peter van ZeistInternet / Solutions ConsultingLeave a comment

Discover how Steve Jobs’ iconic “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” message directly applies to the world of Solutions Consulting and Technical PreSales. This thought-provoking blog explores how curiosity, bold thinking, and continuous learning drive impactful discovery, effective demos, and true customer connection. Ideal for PreSales professionals looking to sharpen their mindset and stand out in a competitive tech landscape.

Keywords: Steve Jobs speech, stay hungry stay foolish, PreSales mindset, solutions consulting, technical PreSales, curiosity in sales, discovery techniques, sales engineering inspiration, tech sales blog, Steve Jobs for PreSales.

A love letter to Solutions Consulting – 20 Years and Counting

4. April 202521. March 2025Peter van ZeistGeneralLeave a comment

For the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in Solutions Consulting (Presales Engineering / Sales Engineering)—a role that perfectly blends technology, business, and human connection. It’s an exciting, dynamic career that has taken me across industries, introduced me to brilliant people, and kept me continuously learning. If you’re someone who enjoys solving…

Building My Ultimate Home IT Rack

28. March 202528. March 2025Peter van ZeistGeneralLeave a comment

Introduction For years, my home network was housed in an IKEA Besta cabinet—a budget-friendly solution that worked but had its limitations. The components sat loosely inside, with cables running everywhere, and the network was managed by an unmanaged switch and a FritzBox modem/router. It was functional but far from optimal. You can read about the…