From Firefighting to InControl: Solid Foundation for Growth Process
In just 8 years, the revenue of AVEC, located in the heart of Tilburg, has increased tenfold, a growth ICR magazine considers exceptionally robust. Time for a chat with Stefan Lanslots, director of AVEC.
AVEC leads in DIY trends, creating innovative products for retail chains. It's the largest player in the Netherlands, possibly even in Europe. The company supplies to retailers in Europe, North and South America, Australia, and the Far East, with branches in England and China. Annually, AVEC introduces 12,000 new products. Innovation is the lifeline of this remarkable company, a feat many businesses struggle to achieve. Stefan shares his secrets of growth candidly with us.
Eight years ago, AVEC's situation was quite different. Back then, it was a sales-driven organization with high (obsolete) inventories, inaccurate stock administration, losses, sales of unfeasible products, and more organizational issues than desired. This led to unnecessary loss of time, energy, and money. AVEC was not in control, causing unwanted financial consequences. Stefan reflects, "Back then, the focus was less on customers and products, as we were constantly putting out fires." However, AVEC aimed to avoid the culture of large corporations while needing a drastic change.
AVEC's value lies in its team
Switching from a sales-driven to a project-driven organization proved to be a masterstroke. Once AVEC started restructuring, customers and products finally took center stage. Stefan admits that this survival period was extremely tough: "But without this pain, we couldn't have transformed into the organization AVEC is today. Significant cuts in staff were necessary, followed by hiring personnel capable of working in a project-based organization and with major retailers like Kruidvat and Action. Once the right strategy, fairs, and people were in place, the organization stood firm." We can now confidently say that this period laid a more than solid foundation for AVEC's growth process.
Entrepreneurs take risks and are incredibly important for our economy. Unfortunately, a good balance between work and private life is often lacking. It is precisely this that drives Paul Joore to have a positive impact on the lives of entrepreneurs and contribute to their success.Paul is the ambitious founder of the online Route ICR platform for successful entrepreneurship. He is also the author of the entrepreneurship book ‘Succesvol groeien doe je zo!’ (Successful Growth, How to Do It!). "I believe in setting seemingly unattainable goals. Challenging oneself, innovating, and constantly improving. Supported by a well-structured organization."Paul has tens of thousands of flight hours in the business world, with a background as an entrepreneur, coach, interim manager, and former chartered accountant. Always focusing on realizing challenging goals as effectively and efficiently as possible: in other words, being successful through being inControl, in the entire process from true ambition to result.This only works by thinking, planning, and acting from a goal-oriented structure. In the SME sector, there was a lack of knowledge and experience in this area, and well-thought-out solutions were not available. Therefore, Paul decided to create this himself.In many SME businesses, the 'madness of the day' reigns. As a result, entrepreneurs are not inControl when it comes to achieving goals, let alone challenging ones. Therefore, they also do not realize their true ambition. Worse, for many, this ambition is not even crystal clear. And how can you work towards a goal without having a real one? Logically, there can also be no balance between work and private life. And no balance means no rest.So, the Route ICR web app helps entrepreneurs and teams to be inControl in the entire process from ambition to result. With the ICR "InControlRating" of your business as a growth compass. Very clear and handy to know through one number how your business is and will be doing. So you know whether you will achieve your goals and be successful from this starting point. And if the score is disappointing, you also know what to work on to improve.This way, you gradually work towards a better balance in your life, feel good about yourself, and have a positive mindset! Are you curious? You too can experience the Route ICR web app for 14 days free of charge, without obligations!
