4. ‘83 started as Industrial Engineer at Hessenatie, Ebes & Agfa
’86-90 first commercial experience at Digital Equipment & Oracle
’90-00 local & international career at Lotus/IBM
’01-06 Country General Manager Microsoft Belgium & Luxemburg
’07-12 From Real Software via Real to RealDolmen VMA FAST TRACK 4
As from ‘13 … All Together
6. From programmer/engineer via sales/marketing to general management
From Antwerp via Brussels to Europe and US and back
From old to new world utilities
From local to international companies
From local MBXs to global MBO approach
From executive to non-executive director
From listed to non-listed companies
From corporate via intrapreneur to entrepreneur
80/20 rule in Digital, Oracle, Lotus, IBM and Microsoft
1+1=3 rule at RealDolmen
In cyberspace via blog, twitter, facebook, linkedin, foursquare, slideshare …
But in meatspace learning by doing, teamplayer and … myself
VMA FAST TRACK 6
7. GOOD COMPANIES HAVE …
A Vision
A Mission
A Strategy
A set of Objectives
BEST COMPANIES ARE ALIGNED …
Via a Business Rhythm
Via true Corporate Governance
Via a set of Values
VMA FAST TRACK 7
8. BUSINESS RHYTHM
Yearly general assembly
Yearly strategic offsite
Yearly budget process
Yearly kickoff
Yearly employee satisfaction survey
Yearly customer satisfaction survey
Half-yearly review
Quarterly boards and committees
Monthly works council
(bi) Weekly management team mtg
Etc …
VMA FAST TRACK 8
13. BOARDROOM
Thé Boardroom does not exist, every Boardroom is different
BUT
You never get a second chance to make a first impression
SO
Do your homework first
Come well prepared
Be clear on what you want
VMA FAST TRACK 13
15. MY EXPERIENCES
- Executive vs. non-executive directors
- Dependent vs. independent directors
- Prepared vs. non-prepared
- Comprehensive vs. non-comprehensive
- Anglo-Saxon vs. Continental
- Before, during and after the meeting
VMA FAST TRACK 15
16. MY ADVISE
BE
1) Well prepared
2) Factual
3) Emphatic
4) In line with the strategy
5) Crisp and to the point
6) Clear in what you ask
Every board appearance will influence your career
VMA FAST TRACK 16