I recently had the opportunity to participate in Voka's MBA Highlights Advanced program. It's a program that not only gave me new insights but also made me reflect on my company and the direction I want to take.
Together with Stefaan Verhoyen, Operations Director at Lecot, I worked on a case study about how to reposition myself and my company. I've evolved from an import company to a high-end Belgian design line with a strong focus on customization. It was a major shift, and this process confirmed that I'm on the right track.
What I found most valuable? Collaborating with entrepreneurs from completely different sectors. It helps you take a fresh look at your own business and gain new insights. I'm so glad I took this course!
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Stefaan Verhoyen, Operations Director at Lecot, and Christl Dekimpe, a designer at her own furniture company, participated in the MBA Highlights Advanced program. They collaborated on a case study, one of the key components of the program. "One person is analytically strong, the other primarily creative and entrepreneurial. Being paired with people who have different personalities, knowledge, and experience is a real added value."
You work very closely with other entrepreneurs, each with a unique personality. This creates a very positive dynamic.
Christl Dekimpe
Stefaan Verhoyen is now Operations Director at Lecot, but he was Logistics Manager when he participated in the MBA Highlights program. "Lecot is a wholesaler with all the supplies for construction professionals," Verhoyen explains. "We have a total of over 800 employees spread across more than 80 locations in Belgium and six in the Netherlands. I manage logistics and am also responsible for customer service and facilities." Verhoyen wanted to broaden his horizons through the MBA Highlights Advanced program. "I've worked for Lecot for 28 years. After such a long time, however, you tend to become somewhat blind to the business. Through this program, I wanted to gain inspiration, gain broader training in topics I don't encounter daily, and see how others approach challenges and learn from them. The instructors are all top-notch in their fields and presented the topics in a highly interactive and engaging way."
Christl Dekimpe took over her parents' furniture business and developed into a creative designer. "I've taken a different direction compared to my parents. I spent my entire childhood growing up in a business where price and quality were paramount. My parents imported high-quality furniture from Italy and other countries and sold it to furniture stores in Belgium. However, I wanted to develop my own custom-made line, produced entirely in Belgium. My decision was already made when I signed up for the program. I was mainly looking for guidance and support in the transition I wanted to make. The program confirmed that my vision and approach were completely normal, which gave me a lot of confidence."
Verhoyen and Dekimpe are enthusiastic about their participation. "Anyone who wants to can bring a case study, a situation they're facing in their business. Participants can then choose which case they want to work on. That's how I came across Christl's case study: 'How should I present myself now that I'm no longer doing the same thing as before?' Participants then apply the learning material to that, which makes the program very practical." Christl adds: "You work very closely with other entrepreneurs, each with a different personality. And that creates a very positive dynamic." "Christl, for example, is someone who steps on the gas pedal, while I would be quicker to hit the brakes," says Verhoyen. "The combination is essential: if you only slow down or only accelerate, you lose sight of things and don't make enough progress. A healthy mix is essential."
Networking is crucial to the MBA Highlights program, both confirm. "You need to get to know each other outside of the formal context to build a stronger connection. That was certainly the case for us: we met several times after the case to continue brainstorming. We look back on the program very positively."