E2A 094 Bridging the Gap: Transforming Technical Concepts into Practical Insights with Jonas Van Riel

In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, your host Scott MacMillan is joined by Jonas Van Riel, author of Leading with Capabilities. Jonas shares how his passion for capability-based management (CBM) led him from a career in IT and enterprise architecture to writing a book that translates complex strategic concepts into accessible, practical guidance.

Jonas reflects on the writing and publishing process, including how he structured his ideas, collaborated with editors, and navigated the challenges of turning academic research into a clear, engaging narrative. He also discusses the creative decisions behind incorporating visuals like capability maps to enhance reader understanding.

SHOW LINKS

Ready to take Capability-Based Management further?
Visit capmap.org to explore training opportunities, connect with the community, and access free resources. You’ll find high-resolution versions of the book’s examples, templates to build your own CapMap, and additional materials to help you apply CBM in your organization.

GUEST BIO

Jonas Van Riel is a consultant, lecturer, and researcher with over 15 years of experience in guiding digital and enterprise transformation programs across various industries in Europe. He specializes in Capability-Based Management (or CBM), helping organizations bridge the gap between strategic vision and operational execution through a clear, actionable framework. Jonas holds a position at Ghent University, where his research focuses on how capabilities can drive better decision-making and implementation of operating models.

He served as Program Director for the Master of Science in Enterprise Architecture for six years and has been a senior lecturer for over a decade, sharing his insights with both students and professionals. Most recently, Jonas founded CapMap, an initiative aimed at making Capability-Based Management accessible and practical for organizations worldwide. His mission? To empower leaders, architects, and strategists with a shared language and practical tools to align their strategy and execution—one capability at a time.

CONNECT WITH JONAS

Book Website: amazon.ca/Leading-Capabilities-Capability-Based-Management-Implementation/dp/1998528227/
Websites: capmap.org and facete.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonasvanriel/

CONNECT WITH SCOTT
entrepreneurtoauthor.com
grammarfactory.com
[e-mail]

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