Category: Business Spotlight

Charming little white village of Mijas. Spain

Find Your Dream Home in the Costa del Sol

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

GRUPO DVOS Developments S.L.U is the most comprehensive provider of homes in the Costa del Sol, whether clients want to buy, sell, rent, build or invest. As recently announced winner of Most Influential CEO 2023 – Costa Del Sol (Real Estate), we thought it might be a good time to catch up and find out a little more.

Koen De Vos is the founder, owner, and CEO of Grupo Dvos, a fully integrated service company that offers the most competitive property solutions in Costa del Sol. He sees his main functions as being to set a vision and implement the strategic direction of the company.  As it deals primarily with exclusive properties, including refurbishment, real estate, and property management solutions, Koen’s primary task involves defining the long-term objectives for the company, and planning how it will achieve its goals. His area of expertise is strategic decision making and project management. This involves supervising and coordinating the development of real estate projects, and ensuring that deadlines and budgets are met.

Koen explains that in essence, Grupo Dvos is far more than just a real estate development company, it is a creator of spaces where dreams come to life. Consequently, its values and goals align to create a brighter and more sustainable future, one exceptional development at a time. He elaborates that in fact Grupo Dvos owes its overall success to the harmonious positioning of its values, goals, and actions. As it continues to push boundaries and strive for excellence, it is driven by a passion to create extraordinary and inspiring spaces that uplift people, and stand the test of time. As a company, Koen feels that the team at Grupo Dvos embrace challenges together, guided by its vision to shape a better future for generations to come.

 

“At Grupo Dvos, we are proud to offer you a selection of the most exclusive properties for sale and rent in Marbella and La Costa del Sol. They are carefully chosen to meet the highest standards of quality, design and location. When you choose one of our exclusive properties, you are not only buying or renting a home, but also a lifestyle.”

 

In terms of his leadership style, Koen feels as though it is something that is built up over time, with no particular key influences guiding him, just a keen sense of learning from experience, and solving mistakes. He is eager to learn from all opportunities presented, whether that be from his own team members, clients, or business partners. He feels that an ability to understand the context of information is important, as is giving yourself time, and being able to reinvent yourself.

Grupo Dvos has 4 distinct and important business units within its arsenal. These are exclusive properties, refurbishment, real estate, and property management. It also needs to be able to operate successfully in conjunction with its different types of clients, and foster collaborative cooperations with other real estate agencies. It is well aware that on the Costa del Sol there is a lot of competition to contend with, but it is safe in the knowledge that it can offer something different, and help its clients in the most optimal of ways by providing a 360-degree service. It likes to think that by doing this, supporting its clients in every area possible, it supplies the magic ingredient that helps to make clients’ dreams come true. The human touch, and the personalised attention is an integral part of the Grupo Dvos service, and builds a trust with clients that puts it a step above its competitors in the Costa del Sol or Marbella.

 

“Prime locations, highest possible construction quality and outstanding architecture are requirements for our developments and carefully selected exclusive listings.”

 

The people at Grupo Dvos are an essential part of the company’s success, and play a fundamental role in the business. They are the driving force and the beating heart of the company, and bring their talent, experience and passion to bear at every stage of the real estate projects, development constructions, or refurbishment services. The close-knit team at Grupo Dvos will carefully listen to clients’ needs, and strive not only to meet them but to exceed their expectations every time. Its intention is to ensure that each real estate development is a reflection of the client’s dreams and aspirations.

The internal culture at Grupo Dvos is something that can be summed up as dynamic, collaborative, and driven by innovation. At the core of its culture is the company’s values, which guide every aspect of its operations and interactions. It fosters an environment that encourages open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to excellence. The key aspects for this are collaboration and innovation, but in addition, continuous learning and development is also an integral factor. The company is aware it operates within a very competitive market, but it has the ambition to expand its services further still, as it looks to attract international customers.

As Costa del Sol is a very multicultural and international area of Spain, the company’s main objective has become to attract clients from all over the world. It is satisfied such clients will be able to find superb investment opportunities, and that with the help of Grupo Dvos, they’ll be in safe and reliable hands to do so. Furthermore, Grupo Dvos is committed to leading the industry in sustainable construction, and promoting eco-friendly and conscious lifestyle designs for its clients. It embraces solar technology, and optimises the materials it uses, always aspiring to build greener, more resilient communities. This contributes to the well-being of both its clients, and the environment at large.

Award winning Koen ascribes his success in business to the care he takes, and the effort he puts in.  He feels as though when it comes to business, you always have to be attentive to the needs of the market and to your customers. The trust of clients is fundamental for any company to succeed, and keep growing, and it certainly seems to be working for Grupo Dvos. This captivating company is standing ready to help its clients’ achieve their Spanish property dreams with a dedication and passion for the industry that is palpable.

For business enquiries, contact Koen De Vos from GRUPO DVOS Developments S.L.U via their website – www.grupodvos.com

group photo of people posing and smiling

Shonela Grabowski: Changing the Perspective on Sales

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Based in Krefeld, Germany, Salesation Consulting GmbH delivers holistic sales strategies and solutions to clients with the aim of helping them digitise and scale their companies. The firm was founded by Shonela Grabowski, who has recently won Most Influential Management Consulting CEO in this year’s Most Influential CEO Awards.

Salesation is an international company that has two pillars, the first being its agency component and the second being its pure consultancy element. Its overall mission is to introduce scalable processes into businesses, helping clients across multiple locations to become number one in their industry in terms of digital sales and marketing.

Many companies lose a significant amount of money every year simply because their sales department is not equipped with the structure, skills, and tools they need to reach their full potential.

Salesation & Partner provides clients with its modernised knowledge of sales structures and scaling, enabling them to set their business up to succeed in the years to come. It delivers online or onsite consulting services to help with things like templates and scripts, performance measurement through regular technical sales structure, strategic sales development, and sales execution as required. It can be seen as an experienced and knowledgeable external CSO (Chief Sales Officer) who will successfully lead their sales team into the future.

One of the many factors that make Salesation unique is the incredibly fast and efficient way in which its solutions produce results. The firm exclusively supports one to one consulting to enhance the benefits of its services. For example, it offers a “sales bootcamp” that involves two to three days of intense training. This programme is equivalent to six months of consulting with any other firm. Because of this, the company is creating a new market for effective, short-term consulting solutions in sales.

Salesation’s team of experts help clients build a sales force that not only succeeds but also exceeds their expectations. Its primary focus is to set goals with clients to determine how they imagine their sales team and what they expect to achieve. The firm then works closely with them to advise them and encourage them to aim high.

Working with PLCs (Public Limited Companies), Franchises and companies with multiple branch offices in a multitude of industries, Salesation understands that every company has its own goals and needs. For this reason, it offers tailor-made solutions that encompass the entire spectrum of sales development. Whether a client needs the whole package or just a part of it, Salesation is well-equipped to help.

Specialising in the field of scalable solutions, Salesation builds on individual concepts that can be applied in every subsidiary. The company is dedicated to moving away from the common market strategies for acquisition, building, and expansion that have been overused in the last decades. They combine new- and old school strategies.

To Salesation, marketing is not just a means to an end. Instead, it is a useful tool that can be leveraged to turn dreams into reality. By helping clients to implement their innovative ideas, the company enables them to bring their visions to life whilst incorporating their own personal touch. In this, Salesation is changing the way people think about sales.

Shonela Grabowski founded the company in January 2022 with this goal in mind. Since then, Salesation has become the fastest growing international consulting company with a focus on sales.

To drive her business to these heights, Shonela has led with extreme ownership, which refers to the idea that leaders must own everything in their world. This means that she takes on responsibility for her team’s failures and setbacks as well as anything else that even remotely affects the company’s achievement of its missions. She then makes it her priority to put things right and ensure that the problem doesn’t occur again.

“I have noticed that leaders tend to blame everyone and every circumstance around them, except themselves and their own actions. That’s a battle that needs to be understood and fought every day,” Shonela explains. “One’s own ego has to be in check and held back to be able to flourish and grow. Every day I reflect on what I can do to improve and get better because I am responsible for each and every action.”

Shonela instils this philosophy in Salesation’s internal culture to ensure that everyone takes responsibility for their actions. She also puts a strong emphasis on customer service, encouraging her staff to put the client and their business above anything else.

In hiring, Shonela aims to recruit top talent who will utilise their skills to enable Salesation to reach its goals and missions but also their own goals. She comments, “We only go for A-players who are better in their fields than I am. This way we only attract high performers. All staff complement each other in their areas and strengths.”

Operating in the ever-evolving industry of sales, Shonela understands that Salesation can never stand still and settle into its comfort zone. She is constantly innovating to improve the solutions she provides to her customers. In the future, she is building an international branch office, expanding into several new countries, and implementing this sales mentality all over the world.

In addition, later this year, Salesation is planning to host a winter sales bootcamp that will take place in an exclusive chalet in the French Alps. The company plans to offer businesses the chance to attend for free through its social media, enabling startups and young founders to access support with their sales development. Shonela adds, “All our founders started young, so it is a matter of the heart for us to support young founders who may not yet have the financial means. We are also planning a fundraising run for Young Founders in 2024.”

As a result of her dedication to her clients and the work Salesation does, Shonela has been awarded Most Influential Management Consulting CEO in this year’s Most Influential CEO Awards. We congratulate her on this commendable achievement and wish her the best of luck in the coming years as she works to build Salesation into an international powerhouse.

For business enquiries, contact Shonela Grabowski from Salesation Consulting GmbH via their website – https://www.salesationundpartner.com/

Shonela Grabowski
Shonela Grabowski
man posing for camera

Leading By Example

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

With over 140 years of brand heritage, Lactalis Canada produces nutritious and great-tasting dairy products to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians. Recently, its President and CEO, Mark Taylor, has been recognised in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023. Here we take a closer look to learn more about the company and Mark’s leadership approach.

The food we consume has a direct impact on our health and wellbeing. Therefore, consuming products of high quality is important to reap the benefits of nutrients that can improve our efficiency and well-being. That is where Lactalis Canada comes in, throughout the years it has not lost sight of its purpose which is “To Enrich and Nurture the Lives of Canadians.”

Lactalis Canada works with Canada’s major grocery retailers, independent grocers, customers in the food service, and further food processing sector. It has strong relationships with its customer base and Lactalis Canada takes the time to understand their needs and works to align with them. Thanks to their common goal of meeting the needs of Canadian consumers, they are able to deliver products that people not only enjoy but go back to time and time again. A company that truly cares about its consumers is one you can trust.

Since 2018, Mark Taylor has been the leader behind Lactalis Canada’s iconic brands – Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Astro, Lactantia, Beatrice, Galbani, and many more. He has over 30 years of experience in CPG, with a speciality in the dairy category through leadership roles across the supply chains, from farm to consumer.

Prior to relocating to Canada, Mark was Group Managing Director Lactalis UK and Ireland from 2015 to 2018. Additionally, he served as Chair of the Board of Directors of UK-based Muddy Boots Software Limited and was also a board member of Zenith International Consulting in the UK focused on M&A and international business.

Mark has played a crucial role in driving Lactalis Canada’s growth and implanted changes that have led to significant success within the brands. In 2019, Mark led the CDN $1.62 billion acquisition of Kraft Heinz’s natural cheese business which is the biggest of its kind in Canadian dairy history. This was then followed by the acquisition of Ultima Foods Inc. from Agropur and, in 2021, the Kraft Heinz Grated cheese business in Canada. Mark shares, “Today, Lactalis Canada is the third largest country by turnover in Lactalis Group, third-largest branded CPG manufacturer in Canada and has been consistently named on Forbes’ list of Canada’s Best Employers.”

As a Board Director for the Dairy Processors Association of Canada, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, and chair of The Grocery Foundation’s Donation Committee, Mark is a prominent figure in the industry. On top of this, in 2023, he was appointed as a cabinet member of the largest youth mental health movement in Canada, The Feel Out Loud with Kids Help Phone Campaign. Making a positive impact on causes he believes in is something he makes time for, no matter how busy he may be.

Mark’s hard work over the years has paid off, and his extensive experience is a reflection of his commitment. He has recently been honoured with the title of Most Influential CEO 2023 – Toronto. Throughout his journey to his current position, he has faced many challenges, but overcoming this has provided him with the knowledge that he implements into his leadership role.

When dealing with problems, whether personal or professional Mark believes they are always easier to solve when they are shared. He highlights, “Having a great team around you is therefore essential. I have been lucky to have worked and be working with great people. This is a privilege I do not take lightly and like any relationship requires a personal investment to make sure it flourishes.” At Lactalis Canada, he prioritises his team and believes they are the company’s biggest asset. “Helping people to understand why they are important and how they contribute to the higher-level goals of the organization by nurturing, supporting, and serving them is not an option for modern leaders; it’s an imperative.”

Lactalis Canada is currently in a transformative period and the support from the team makes this a possibility – they are who work behind the scenes to help bring everything together. With over 4,000 team members Lactalis Canada believes each of them has an important voice and role within the organisation. Mark prioritises open communication with his team, and it allows him to build a more dynamic flexible, and responsive business where people feel they belong. Alongside this, he shares responsibility and knowledge while mentoring and coaching his employees to support their growth and development towards reaching their full potential.

The ability to understand different perspectives is an important aspect of leading a company towards success. Mark sees his role as a leader as working for his employees, this enables him to consider each individual and work to create an environment where all can succeed. By aligning with people and their goals, both professional and personal, it enables him to lead Lactalis Canada accordingly. The individual success of his team is what drives the collective wins he has been able to accomplish since joining the company in 2018. A business is “an ecosystem not an autocracy”, adds Mark.

Being open to change and evolution is the key to staying on top of the company you run and lead forward. This is why Mark is open to honest and constructive feedback from his team as it reveals opportunities to improve. For this to take place you must first work to build a foundation where respect and trust are present regardless. Hard conversations always lead to incredibly rewarding destinations, especially when you’ve got a fantastic group of individuals alongside you. Mark concludes, “I look forward to continuing to serve in a capacity where I can make a positive impact in my position.”

We look forward to seeing Lactalis Canada grow as Mark continues to lead it towards success.

For business contact Mark Taylor from Lactalis Canada via their website – https://www.lactalis.ca/

men in suit smiling

Leading Inspiring Brands to Success

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Munich-based company nonplusultra’s team of experts enable success for commercial enterprises across all channels, turning clients’ visions into measurable results. The company has been awarded the title of Most Influential CEO 2023 – Germany (Retail Acceleration), in the light of which we decided to take a closer look.

The German company nonplusultra exists primarily to enable tech-brands to scale up to European retail levels. It operates within a proven framework of growth and cutting-edge technology, building the right strategy to address the vital retail touchpoints of tomorrow. Its high-flying team secure executional excellence to turn clients’ company visions into measurable, results-driven successes. Its services include market entry; strategic growth management; retail activation; business intelligence; marketplaces and eTail.

The company’s 2 founders and co-CEOs, Benjamin Gehring and Florian Hutterer, act as key team members and drivers of nonplusultra’s core values. These are services it bears in mind when recruiting new team members, and hiring/firing staff. It lives by the following values, kicking off with taking the lead – as it is a proactive company that owns its business. It also believes that data builds opinion – by which it means its arguments are based on observations, not assumptions. The third value is go where the pain is – by which it means it actively faces challenges in order to keep growing. Next up is the assertion that trust forms loyalty – as it believes acting with care helps to build long-lasting partnerships. The final value is to spread good vibes – because the company thinks it is important that each individual does not take him / herself too seriously.

Benjamin explained to us that aside from an internship, he has never worked for a company other than nonplusultra. This means that he has very much relied on creating his own leadership style, often by observing and acting on the best practices of customers, suppliers, business partners and well-known authors. In Benjamin’s opinion, there are infinite ways to adapt and learn leadership skills. For instance, the company was requiring of very different leadership when there were only 3 people, as opposed to 15. Currently nonplusultra has over 50 persons working, but Benjamin is under no illusions that his leadership style might have to change on the way to growing to 100 people.

Benjamin and Florian recently wrote down their personal leadership principles so that they might share this useful information with senior management. The points they wanted to impart were as follows: leaders eat last; a juncture inspired by British-born American author Simon Sinek. It means that it is essential to listen to everyone in the room and let them fully share their opinions without jumping in. It is better not to jump ahead, but to speak last. The second point Benjamin and Florian emphasize is to deliver immediate feedback. This was inspired by another best-selling author, Kim Scott, and follows her counsel not to wait until the next quarterly review, or yearly feedback meeting to give either positive or negative feedback. Do it straight away.

The next guidance Benjamin and Florian felt it was important to impart was to walk the talk. By this they mean be the change you want to see. This time, they were influenced by entrepreneur and CEO Frank Slootman, and clarify by explaining that if you want your team to perform, you need to show how performance is done. This does not mean that you need to be the best salesperson in the sales team, but you need to show how it is done, create the right strategies and ensure that everyone is in the right position and enabled to be their best. It is the same with football coaches, the best football coaches have not always been the best football players themselves, but they can walk the talk.

“We want our leaders to be coaches, not problem solvers.”

A further important goal for nonplusultra is to become THE one-stop-shop for tech-brands to unlock European omnichannel retail. It offers services such as market entry, business development, outsourced key account management, e Tail management, channel marketing, field sales and marketing, merchandising, promotion, retail analytics and retail as a service. And the unique part of this service portfolio is that there is currently no one in Europe who offers everything under one roof. This is the aim for nonplusultra. Clients mostly arrive at nonplusultra through word of mouth, or perhaps via trade shows like CES (Consumer Electronic Show) in Las Vegas, or IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) in Berlin. As the most data driven company in the consumer electronics fields, it tracks every single sale from retailers, as well as stock, sales out allowances, trainings as well as marketing and POS spendings. This enables it to analyse the ROI (return on investment) for its customers on macro level, on country level, or even down to micro level at the stores.

As a retail growth agency specialising in omni-channel solutions, and focused on consumer electronic retail, nonplusultra has identified and continues to anticipate several industry-based challenges. By investing strategically in the sector, it aims to address these challenges and ensure efficient and sustainable scaling for consumer electronic brands in Europe. Some of the specific challenges it is currently facing, and expects to encounter in the near future, include the following: increasing competition; as the retail and eTail landscape is a highly competitive world, with numerous players vying for market share, nonplusultra continuously monitors and analyses the competitive landscape to identify emerging trends, and stay ahead of the competition. Shifting consumer behaviour; as consumer preferences and behaviours evolve rapidly, driven by advancements in technology and changes in shopping habits. The company needs to adapt and anticipate such shifts to be able to provide personalised and seamless experiences across various channels. Digital transformation; as the retail industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with online sales and e-commerce platforms playing an increasingly important role, nonplusultra needs to stay up to date with the latest digital technologies, optimise online presence, and leverage data-driven insights to drive growth for consumer electronic brands.

In addition, the supply chain and logistics requires efficiency, and especially broadline distribution management. This is critical in the retail industry when dealing with consumer electronics, and nonplusultra strives to optimise the logistics and distribution processes to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of products across Europe. Finally, there is the challenge of regulatory compliance; with retail operations being subject to various regulations and compliance requirements, it needs to stay up to date with evolving rules such as data protection and consumer rights. It is essential to mitigate legal risks for nonplusultra to maintain trust with its clients and their customers. By addressing all these challenges, the company aims to position itself as a leading retail growth agency in Europe, helping consumer electronic brands navigate the complexities of the industry and achieve long-term, efficient scaling through its omni-channel approach.

The future is bright for award winning nonplusultra, who have recently been acquired by international brand experience agency Avantgarde Group. This brings immense benefits to the company, enabling it to expand into new markets outside Europe. It is also a strategic collaboration, showing just how far Benjamin Gehring and Florian Hutterer have gone in building a company that not only creates value for international consumer electronic brands, but also generates a healthy revenue, and attracts the attention of a well-known marketing group. It’s onwards and upwards now for this terrific company.

For business enquiries, contact Benjamin Gehring from nonplusultra Sales GmbH via their website – www.nonplusultra.eu

building on corner of road

Building a Better World Through Sustainable Architecture

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Designing innovative spaces that deliver unique user experiences, Aesthetic Designs Uganda Ltd. is an architectural design firm that strives to deliver cost-effectiveness and sustainability. The firm is a part of the Aesthetic Group, which designs sustainable housing developments across India, the UK, and now Uganda. The group is led by experienced architect Ar. Huzaifa Chahwala, Chief Executive Officer, who has been awarded Most Influential Sustainable Housing CEO of the Year 2023.

As humans, we spend a significant amount of our time inside built spaces, particularly at home and in our places of work. It has been shown that building design and architecture can have huge effects on our psychological wellbeing, health, and productivity, ultimately impacting our quality of life.

Since 1990, Aesthetic Designs has consistently delivered successful and innovative designs, showcasing its immense expertise in project planning, designing, construction documentation, bidding, and administration. It focuses on creating experiential spaces for humans that provide a balance of creativity, functionality, cost effectiveness, materiality, aesthetics, and sustainability. Using form-mass optimisation, Aesthetic Designs truly delivers great user experiences.

Initially, the firm was established in Mumbai by Principal Architect Ar. Juzer Chahwala, who obtained his master’s degree in urban design at the University of Oklahoma before embarking on his architectural career, practicing across the globe. Over the years, he has worked on a range of distinctive and successful projects, building an extensive and loyal client base through his hard work, reliability, and high-quality designs.

In 2008, Aesthetic Designs inaugurated its London office. Later, in 2020, it established its Ugandan branch. Since 2016, the Aesthetic Group has been headed by CEO Ar. Huzaifa Chahwala, who completed his master’s degree in Sustainable Tall Buildings at the University of Nottingham, before he went on to practice architecture across the world in Mumbai, London, Dubai, and Uganda.

Today, Aesthetic Designs has over 110 years of collective experience designing and developing quality, sustainable architectural solutions across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The firm believes that development should meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It aims to build a truly sustainable future for everyone, creating spaces that do not only benefit today but also tomorrow.

According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a set of integrated and interrelated goals that call for action from all countries. Their purpose is to drive humanity to end poverty, improve health and education, reduce inequality, and boost economic growth, all while tackling climate change and preserving the Earth’s oceans and forests. The idea is that if all countries aim to accomplish these goals, humanity can achieve peace and prosperity by 2030.

In its projects, Aesthetic Designs caters to 10 out of the 17 SDGs. To do this, it uses a number of strategies throughout the design process. Firstly, it ensures form-mass optimisation, which is the process of optimising the building’s shape and mass to reduce energy consumption, increase natural ventilation, and improve indoor environment quality.

Secondly, Aesthetic Designs uses daylighting strategies for energy saving, which involves maximising the amount of natural light that gets into a building to minimise energy use. Natural light is also beneficial for the wellbeing and productivity of occupants. Furthermore, Aesthetic Designs incorporates renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal systems to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and increase energy independence.

Thirdly, the firm implements systems to efficiently manage and recycle water, reduce potable water consumption, and mitigate the impact of stormwater runoff. It also uses sustainable construction methods such as prefabrication, molar construction, and green roofs to reduce water waste and increase efficiency during the construction process.

Additionally, by sustainably sourcing materials that are environmentally responsible, socially conscious, and economically viable, Aesthetic Designs reduces the impact of its buildings on the environment. The firm also ensures convenient access to public transportation at its properties, reducing occupants’ carbon footprint and promoting sustainable transportation.

Lastly, Aesthetic Designs strives to use new sustainable technology to support social and environmental sustainability, including clean energy, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption and production.

Aesthetic Designs believes that regularly reporting and communicating with stakeholders on its progress towards these goals is crucial, demonstrating its commitment to the environment. Through this, the firm claims full responsibility and accountability for taking the necessary actions to contribute towards the SDGs.

In the last 30 years, Aesthetic Group has collectively designed and constructed over 10 million square feet of projects. Most recently, it has invested in its Ugandan branch, Aesthetic Designs Uganda, which has been involved in the design of numerous projects over the last three years.

For example, it has recently worked on the design of Habitat 854, a mixed-use building that will consist of residential units, a supermarket, and a co-working space. As with its other projects, Habitat 854 was designed to be a truly sustainable building, not just a greenwashed property, focusing on climate, culture, and costs. Although currently under construction, the building will undoubtedly redefine the housing market in Kampala, Uganda, offering a unique, sustainable residential community designed to enhance the quality of life of its residents. The firm continues to design similar projects in Uganda, contributing towards a better future by providing more sustainable housing.

Since he stepped into the role of CEO in 2016, Huzaifa Chahwala has successfully led Aesthetic Group in its pursuit to design a number of outstanding sustainable housing projects that will have a positive impact on the environment for generations to come. In addition to this, he has guided the group through its recent expansion into Uganda and its successful completion of many more projects there. As a result, he has been awarded Most Influential Sustainable Housing CEO of the Year, Uganda, in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023. We congratulate him on this achievement and look forward to seeing what he goes on to accomplish with the support of his team.

For business enquiries, contact Huzaifa Chahwala from Aesthetic Designs Uganda LTD on their website –  https://aestheticdesigns.in/

Factory CEO or manager in business suit and hardhat standing in production hall and checking results of his company.

Most Influential Shed Manufacturing & Sales CEO 2023

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Best Sheds and Stone Homes (Best Sheds) is a market-leading Australian company that manufactures and sells high-quality steel sheds and garages, delivering customers the best possible value for money. The company has grown considerably since its formation in 2012 and is now headed by CEO, Thomas Chacko, an innovative, experienced, and hardworking leader. As a result of his impressive accomplishments within Best Sheds, Thomas has won Most Influential Shed Manufacturing and Sales CEO in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023. Here, we speak to Thomas to discover more about the success of the business.

With combined experience equal to over 150 years, Best Sheds and Stone Homes is an Australian family business owned by Dennis McFadden and it is one of the world’s largest independent manufacturers and sellers of steel sheds and garages. Most of the shed components are locally manufactured in Port Kembla, Australia, and are sold in a kit form, directly to the customer with a 20-year warranty. With no middleman, Best Sheds is able to sell its products at competitive prices, so customers can trust that they will be paying the lowest possible price for the best quality shed.

Since its establishment in 2012, Best Sheds has achieved organic growth, with its revenue and earnings increasing steadily year-on-year. As the leading manufacturer of sheds in Australia operating a direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales model, Best Sheds has captured the market share from competitors who largely generate sales through intermediary arrangements. This has been supported by the company’s promotional pricing strategy, which involves consistently pricing products at over 20% lower than competing brands.

Delivering both quality and value to customers across Australia, Best Sheds aims to become the number one shed company in the world. To achieve this goal, the company must be headed by a driven leader who is not afraid to tackle the challenge of maintaining profitability while continuing to offer enticing, competitively priced products.

In 2018, Thomas Chacko joined the company as CFO and, after just six months in the role, was appointed CEO of the business. With over 25 years of experience including  prominent  Australian brands such as BlueScope Steel, Downer EDI, Fletcher Buildings, and Viadux – Reece, Thomas is well versed in the challenges of leadership, having worked in various managerial positions throughout his career. He is known for his ability to align teams with a business strategy and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to increase market share and profitability.

Born in a remote village in South India, Thomas lost his father at the age of 8. He believes working through this extremely challenging experience so early in his life made him the resilient and determined person he is today. After migrating to Australia from India in 1999, Thomas worked in various accounting roles while achieving tertiary and professional qualifications such as his MBM and CPA. Throughout his career, Thomas has always been dedicated to working with integrity and excellence. Thomas says on the topic, “I enjoy my work and contribute to the best of my ability. I have always aimed to be a happy, productive, and valuable member of any team I work for.”

When he was appointed the CEO of Best Sheds, Thomas was thrilled to take on the exciting new responsibilities that came with the role. “As Chief Executive, I lead all operations and strategic direction, with full responsibility for bottom line factors, including setting up safety systems and processes, developing and implementing long-term and short-term strategic plans, driving market share growth, increasing productivity, reducing waste, and developing IT infrastructure,” Thomas explains. “I also provide cross functional management support of the manufacturing, sales, commercial, finance, and IT departments. As well as this, I oversee the company’s 100 employees and am responsible for the revenue of the entire Best Sheds and Stone Homes group.” The three key portfolios in the business (Sales, Logistics, and Manufacturing) are run by visionary and driven family members (Graham, Michael, and Steve), making the decision-making process within the business smooth and efficient.

Thomas is proud to be responsible for the continuous development of the business and has contributed towards its increasing success in many ways. For example, he has been successful in working with the COO, Steve in improving manufacturing efficiency at Best Sheds through the development of skills matrices and the introduction of new technologies. The company now utilises a lean manufacturing method of production, which is designed to reduce the time taken to produce items and increase supply chain efficiency. Additionally, the manufacturing plant is now largely automated, reducing waste and further heightening efficiency.

In order to reduce expenditure, Thomas has led procurement strategies with the director of logistics, Michael, aiming to reduce the procurement costs of materials and efficiency in transport fleet. The company purchases steel through multiple local distributors that source a percentage of materials through cost-effective Asian imports. This strategy benefits customers because it enables Best Sheds to offer significant discounts, leading to increased market share and boosting profitability.

Thomas strongly believes that mid-level managers are the key drivers to achieving business goals. Effective leadership at all levels is important for the success of the whole company, which is why recruitment of middle management is crucial. New hires for these positions must be reliable, possess the correct skillset, and display commitment to the position. Thomas comments, “All middle managers are expected to develop desired leadership behaviours that align with the company’s vision and values. The 360-degree feedback process then helps them understand the extent to which their own behaviour matches the desired behaviour.”

Aiming to develop a team that tightly aligns with the organisational objective, Thomas utilises his skills to foster an environment for both business and individual success in the workplace. To create a productive workforce, employees at Best Sheds are paid based on their performance. This increases employee retention, motivates staff to work hard, and makes them feel that their efforts are rewarded. With quality leadership and high performance at all levels of the business, Best Sheds’ efficiency and productivity as a team is reflected in its revenue. Thomas adds, “As a CEO of the business, I work for every section in the business by providing resources, business intelligence, and regular feedback to ensure all sections of the business succeed.”

In terms of boosting sales and revenue, Thomas is experienced in brand equity and personality building. He works with the passionate and visionary sales director, Graham; engineering partner, Venn Engineering; and marketing partner, Barking Dog Marketing to identify and develop marketing strategies which effectively promote the brand to the intended customer base. Throughout his career, he has mastered various strategies to ensure cost-effective digital and traditional marketing techniques, which he has utilised to expand the reach of Best Sheds’ brand.

Furthermore, Thomas is passionate about customer service and works to ensure a smooth experience for anyone who purchases from Best Sheds. To do this, he has collaboratively worked with the sales leadership team to introduce various new technologies to enhance the customer experience, for example a user-friendly online shed designing tool. He also understands the importance of maintaining an easy-to-use website, which is the company’s main source of sales.

In his personal life, Thomas is a church-going Catholic who is frequently involved in community initiatives. He is the director of his local Lions Club, an organisation dedicated to serving the community. Thomas strongly believes his discipline, honesty, faith, and belief have made him resilient and capable of facing challenges in all aspects of his life. Supported by his beloved family, he always strives to be a better person, which positively impacts his leadership in the workplace.

As a result of Thomas’ dedication to Best Sheds and Stone Homes, the company is currently thriving, experiencing rapid growth as revenues continue to increase. For this reason, Thomas Chacko has won Most Influential Shed Manufacturing & Sales CEO in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023. With a genuine passion for leadership, Thomas will no doubt lead Best Sheds to achieve its goal of becoming the number one shed company in the world. Moving forwards, he strives to facilitate the further geographical expansion of the company, continuously working to boost its productivity, efficiency, and sales.

For business enquiries, contact Thomas Chacko from Best Sheds & Stone Homes via their website – www.bestsheds.com.au

Thomas Chacko
Business people, tablet and conversation with ceo for planning and collaboration in office.

Welcome to the next generation of innovative technologies.

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Business Changers’ CEO Pasquale Sorgentone offers a transformational leadership style emphasizing vision, collaboration, and innovation. As the recipient of the title Most Influential Tech Innovations CEO 2023 – Rome, we wanted to discover more about how the business operates.

Business Changers is a business that supports other companies and public administrations with their growth strategies based on technical innovation, and the adoption of digital transformation processes. As its name would suggest, it specialises in redesigning how companies work, acquiring customers, and generating revenue by capitalising on the opportunities technological innovation can offer. It supports its customers in the design of future business models, feasibility studies and business plans, demand management, process review, program management, and change management.

As high-tech specialists, Business Changers concentrates on next generation software, Metaverse, Web3&Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and FashionTech. It believes in the fundamental importance of developing companies biggest wealth asset, and that is their human capital. It brings key values to board, namely integrity, the spirit of service to the customer, a commitment to excellence, collaboration, continuous training, multiculturalism, and social responsibility. Its breadth of knowledge and experience within its multidisciplinary capacity makes it a reliable and serious partner when it comes to realising innovative projects. Creating digital value is not just a slogan for Business Changers, but its very raison d’être.

Since the company was founded in 2012, it has grown by double digits and expanded its scope of action by adding cutting edge SaaS software solutions to its range of professional services. It has cultivated strategic partnerships with a range of selected businesses in order to bring innovative solutions to the market, and determined to help customers capitalise on the opportunities engendered by the technological revolution. Most importantly it helps to create value for its clients.

As the CEO of Business Changers, Pasquale Sorgentone has a leadership style encompassing: Vision and Strategy; as he clearly articulates the company’s mission, goals, and understanding of the strategic direction. Empowerment; as he encourages employees to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and develop their skills in a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Collaboration; as he fosters teamwork and open collaboration, valuing diverse perspectives and cross-functional cooperation to drive innovation and problem solving. Adaptability; as he promotes flexible and agile working, embracing change and encouraging the organisation to remain responsive to emerging technologies and trends. Innovation: as he encourages experimentation and risk-taking while supporting a culture that learns from mistakes and isn’t afraid to iterate or pivot when needed. By adopting this style of leadership, Pasquale inspires and empowers proactive, creative, and dedicated employees. In this way, the company’s objectives are successfully achieved within the dynamic and extremely competitive high-tech IT industry.

 

“We are enthusiastic about the endless possibilities of the technological innovation. Our mission is to support businesses and public administrations in the path of the digital transformation and adopting a growth strategy based on the technological innovation.”

 

Business Changers’ focus is on clients who value innovation, cutting-edge technology, and customised solutions. For this reason, its target clients include businesses across a range of different industries such as finance, manufacturing, retail, and fashion. Start-ups and SMEs looking for technology partners to help them scale and grow are also welcomed, as are government agencies requiring innovative technologies. Business Changers establishes many new business connections through its attendance at industry events, conferences, and webinars. Networking allows it to build relationships with potential clients, whilst also providing an opportunity to stay informed about industry trends and developments. It also showcases its expertise through creating content such as blog posts, white papers, and case studies. Business Changers applies due diligence to potential clients by researching their industries, identifying their needs, and trying to understand their unique pain points and technology requirements. This allows it to tailor its offerings to their specific needs.

Its unique selling point is its ability to combine state-of-the-art technology with extensive industry experience, and a customer-centric approach. This enables Business Changers to deliver individually tailored solutions empowering clients to achieve their business goals, and stay ahead of the competition. Building strong, long-term partnerships with clients allows them to navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape, and drive sustained growth and success. The company encourages satisfied customers to refer it to their own networks, and provide testimonials that can be used in its marketing materials. Aside from its expert knowledge of the most innovative and up to date solutions, and its customised solutions addressing the needs and challenges of each client, another thing that differentiates Business Changers from its competitors is its exceptional customer service. It delivers responsive, personalised support throughout the whole customer journey, from the initial consultation through to implementation and ongoing maintenance.

 

“The staff play a crucial role in the success of our firm, Business Changers. They are the backbone of the company, responsible for driving innovation, delivering exceptional customer service, and maintaining our competitive edge in the high-tech computer industry.”

 

The internal culture at Business Changers is characterised by key elements such as collaboration and teamwork, continuous learning and development, empowerment and autonomy, diversity and inclusion, and recognition and rewards. The company encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration in an environment where everyone is working together towards common goals. It supports ongoing skills development and professional growth by offering training opportunities that help employees stay up to date with industry trends and developments. Business Changers trusts its staff to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and contribute towards the company’s success. This promotes a sense of responsibility and accountability which leads to higher employee engagement and job satisfaction. The company also values diverse perspectives and backgrounds, endeavouring to ensure that everybody feels welcome and included in a work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. It also celebrates employee achievements with rewards for exceptional performance. This reinforces the company’s commitment to recognising and valuing the hard work of its staff.

As a consulting IT firm CEO, Pasquale plays an active role in nurturing the commendable internal culture at Business Changers. He leads by example, always demonstrating the values and behaviours the company expects. He wants to make sure that employees understand their role in achieving the company’s objectives, which he does by providing clear direction and articulation of the vision. Pasquale encourages feedback, and fosters a safe place for employees to share their ideas, concerns, and suggestions. He actively listens to his staff’s feedback. By supporting and nurturing the internal culture at Business Changers, he is able to help create a positive, engaged, and motivated workforce. This not only drives the success of the firm, but also delivers the best possible outcomes for its clients.

The company is facing challenges in the guise of technological advancements and cybersecurity threats. There are certain gaps in skills, and talent shortages that need to be addressed, combined with an increase in competition within the high-tech computer industry. Regulatory compliance is an ongoing task for the company, as is reducing the carbon footprint and adopting more eco-friendly practices to improve environmental sustainability. However, the company, and Pasquale, are also fielding several exciting new opportunities. It is looking at expansion into new markets, both geographically, and within different industries. It is forming alliances and building strategic partnerships that will benefit both parties. It is also harnessing the power of data and analytics to optimise processes and help the company make more informed decisions.

As CEO, the award-winning Pasquale Sorgentone has plans to streamline internal processes for more improved efficiency, and to better serve clients with a refined focus on meeting their needs. He also plans to identify opportunities through market research, forming strategic partnerships, or acquiring complementary businesses. There are plans afoot to create a new spin-off company, focused specifically on a certain segment of the market, to explore new technologies, and for Pasquale himself to become a mentor to aspiring professionals or non-profit organisations. Watch this space, there is clearly so much more to come from Business Changers!

For business enquiries, contact Pasquale Sorgentone from Business Changers on their website – https://business-changers.it

people stood in front of a lake with cars, smiling

Leading Security Provider That Cares

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Condor Security is a Canadian security company that was established in 2001 by Benjamin Tabesh. It provides a variety of security services to businesses, residential communities, and individuals. Recently, Benjamin has been recognised in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2023, so here we take a closer look into his company and approach.

Condor Security offers security consulting, risk assessments, security planning, security training, and physical security services that include manned guarding, condominium concierges, and mobile patrols. Additionally, it has technology divisions that provide security system integration, access control, and surveillance solutions.

The core values that Condor Security is built from have been key for its ongoing success. Firstly, it is committed to providing clients with the highest standard of services possible. Challenges within any industry are unavoidable, and are part of running a business, which is why Benjamin encourages forward thinking. This ensures that Condor Security is able to find solutions to all the security challenges that may arise. In addition, another of its values is training, which goes hand in hand with the quality of its services. The employees have the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver clients with the best solutions to their needs.            

Client satisfaction is central to all Condor Security does therefore, customer focus is an essential value that is always present. All that the team does is with each client in mind, which is why it keeps away from the one size fits all approach to security. Every client is unique, and the team get to know their needs and requirements to provide them with exactly what they are looking for. What’s more, not having set packages avoids clients paying for equipment that they don’t necessarily want or need.

Benjamin ensures that the workplace culture is supportive, inclusive, and empowering which is then reflected on the team’s performance and job satisfaction. Currently the industry is seeing a shortage of qualified security professionals, and this has been a challenge that Condor Security has had to overcome.

However, the company has the advantage of a culture that attracts candidates and keeps them motivated and engaged. Benjamin believes that taking great care of its team is essential. The ongoing success of the company is a common effort and Benjamin is immensely proud of what the entire team has built together.  

Benjamin’s leadership style is very hands on, he is very involved in the everyday operations of Condor Security and is known for his ability to connect with all members of the team. Throughout the years the company has grown and evolved which has pushed Benjamin’s leadership style to develop alongside it.. With the growth of the company Benjamin has had to learn how to delegate tasks and responsibilities which has helped him focus on the bigger picture through the company’s long-term goals. Now he is more focused on strategic planning, with a deeper understanding of the industry and market trends.

Currently, Benjamin has been planning the upcoming year for Condor Security. He is looking to expand its services and capabilities to meet the ever-changing needs of its clients by making advanced security services available. To achieve this, Benjamin is investing in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, biometric recognition, and other cutting-edge technologies. On top of that, he is going to develop new training programs to provide more specialised skills to his team. Benjamin enthuses, “This will help us to provide more specialized services to our clients and ensure that our team members are equipped with the knowledge and expertise needed to meet the evolving needs of the industry.”

Leading a company comes with a great deal of responsibilities, which involves the customer, the employees, and also the community. The values of the company are a direct representation of what Benjamin stands for. When it comes to the community, he believes that companies have the responsibility to give back, and he is committed to helping and supporting people wherever he can. Condor Services partners with non-profit, charitable organisations with the hope of making a positive difference while building a strong bond with the people that it works closely with.  

Benjamin’s commitment to his company and the community is inspiring, and it reflects a great level of compassion and care to what truly matters most – people. He reflects leadership skills that are able to successfully push a company towards great highs while also being humble and considerate of those that surround him. He wants to be part of building a better future where people are the main priority. This is why it comes as no surprise that Benjamin has now receive the title of Most Influential CEO 2023 – Ontario.

If you are looking for a security service provider that cares, you don’t need to look any further. Benjamin and his team will go above and beyond to create a customised package of services made to fit your needs. Head over to Condor Security’s website to find out more!

For business enquiries, contact Benjamin Tabesh from Condor Security Inc. on their website – https://www.condorsecurity.ca/

globe with logistics photos around it

Innovation and Internationalisation in Italy

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Carlo Russo is the CEO at Affariesteri.it, a consultancy aimed at helping Italian companies who want to develop their business activities abroad through international projects. As the recipient of Most Influential CEO 2023 – Tuscany (International Trade & Development), it seems like a good time to take a closer look.

The founder and CEO of Affariesteri.it, Carlo Russo, is passionate about innovation and internationalisation. He is involved in not-for-profit Consulting, Management Consulting, Marketing Consulting, and Business Consulting. He is the go-to person when it comes to starting business abroad, being a specialist in defining and implementing company plans and policies, defining business strategies, and assisting organisations with their action plans in terms of budgets, investments, partnerships, and markets.

Affariesteri.it can help develop trailblazing business plans fully capable of optimising business processes. It offers strategic consulting, acting as the right-hand man for its partner businesses, helping them to navigate fast turnarounds and manage difficulties. It supports Italian companies in development and transformation, intuiting advice based solely on their individual needs to offer a service that is tailor made. This creates value for companies through helping them to develop plans and create new opportunities in new geographic regions.

Affariesteri.it is itself based in Italy, with locations in Milan, Florence, and Rome, but it offers internationalisation for its customer companies in many different areas. Its operations cover Italy, the Commonwealth of Independent States area (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Krgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Georgia), the Balkan regions (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania), the Gulf area (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Iran, Itaq), France, Spain, Turkey, and Malta.

The team Carlos leads at Affariesteri.it, is made up from a pool of cosmopolitan experts and consultants, all operating at the highest level and with considerable experience in the field. These professionals, guided by Carlos, support projects and paths of international business for companies intending to develop or consolidate their activities abroad. Affariesteri.it acts as a partner and a problem solver, occupying the role of ‘Service Company’ alongside its customers. Constant attention is paid to changes in international economic scenarios, and all the requirements necessary to allow companies to flourish in the current global market.

 

“In a global market, having excellent managers is no longer enough to internationalize a company: it is necessary to open up to external specialists. How to build a successful foreign plan for an SME? Business ‘as usual’ is no longer an option in a world characterized by economic upheaval, geopolitical crisis and climate change. As a professional with experience in international markets, I have come to the conclusion that there are key elements missing…”

 

Carlos writes numerous social media posts about internationalisation, having lately covered topics such as female representation on boards of directors, and the current energy crisis. In a recent article he identified 3 false myths about internationalisation. The first one concerns companies thinking that to expand they need to be big. Although size helps, according to Carlos it is in no way a prerequisite for going abroad. Sometimes, it can even hinder progress as large companies can be more set in their ways, making adaptation difficult. Smaller companies can be more flexible and agile. The second false myth concerns people thinking that international markets are risky. Carlos clarifies that actually investments in a new market, which are often joint shared ventures, can be significantly lower risk than domestic ones. Sometimes, for example in emerging markets, companies can even market a product at double the normal price. The third myth Carlos has busted is that going international has to be done one market at a time. In fact, he says, it’s much more a matter of finding the right market for the business and going in prepared. In this way, many companies have successfully expanded into multiple geographies at once.

As an open, sharing, and collaborative company, Affariesteri.it is able to partner up with companies to help them achieve their exigencies. Its general purpose is to improve their competitiveness through encouraging them to operate in the international and national markets. It will promote companies abroad, guiding them every step of the way in the acquisition of new customers and new orders. Its professional services take into account awareness of areas that may be characterised by unique territorial, cultural, regulatory, economic and political issues. It determines different methods of development with particular attention paid to the risks derided from exercising business activities in such a market. 

When looking at new business initiatives in foreign markets it is essential to pull together a complete business plan that defines the project and determines all the strategic, financial, and economic aspects. Affariesteri.it has all the appropriate skills and knowledge necessary for successfully achieving business objectives. It will evaluate all the technical and commercial aspects of the expansion program, supporting its partners through increasing their levels of territorial diversification. It enables business opportunities through international marketing strategies, and creation of sales networks abroad. The creation of this new international structure is destined to acquire new market shares in the chosen country. Affariesteri.it will also closely monitor all sources of information on the international procurement sector, and opportunities presented by the main multilateral development banks.

It will deal with the analysis of the decision to operate abroad, the definition of objectives, and the identification of target markets. Once that process has been cleared, it will move on to definition of the modalities of mapping entry into the target markets, economic and financial planning for internationalisation, and development models and entry strategies in foreign markets. Moving forward, it will look at foreign trade techniques including contractual, fiscal and customs aspects. Then it will search for financial and industrial partners, before finally reaching the closing stage, export of the product.

 

“In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, we are all continually called to confrontation and dialectic. Affariesteri.it participates, with companies, or for companies, in negotiations for the conclusion of commercial contracts and diplomatic or trade union agreements and for the resolution of company crises.”

 

When it comes to negotiation, it’s good to have Affarieteri.it working on your behalf. It will carefully prepare dialogues, analyse the various opportunities and problems, and prepare its business partners to face any challenges they might come across. It will also deal with public affairs and lobbying. Identifying knowledge gaps that need to be addressed regarding influential but perhaps poorly informed persons. Affariesteri.it will ensure the appropriate persons have information provided to them to make fully informed decisions. It sees building a path that brings awareness into the decision-making process as the optimal choice. It operates under the perception that in reality the relations entrepreneurs cultivate with institutions play a fundamental role in the definition of the business strategy. Therefore, they must be guided by a strategic programme. This is necessary when it comes to realising the objectives of both types of bodies, institutions and businesses. With Affariesteri.it working on your behalf, in an operational context, it is possible to maximise such basic relational techniques.

The tailor-made service Affariesteri.it offers is paying dividends when it comes to the international competitiveness of Italian companies. Helping to find new sale channels abroad, and developing the entrepreneurial initiatives in foreign territories is exactly the spirit of partnership it celebrates. With Carlo Russo at the helm, it is certainly a company more than capable of innovating business plans and optimising processes on the international playing field. In this capacity it is truly going from strength to strength.   

For business enquiries, contact Carlo Russo from Affariesteri.it on their website – https;//affariesteri.it

people walking by office buildings

Building Better Public Services For All

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

The public sector is absolutely integral to the operation, movement, and progression of society. Owned and run by the government, the public sector is the part of an economy that is completely controlled by the state. Of course, we need businesses that work with the public sector to improve the way it functions, so that our future can be brilliant. Here we look to Rhys Evans as he wins Most Influential Public Sector Support CEO 2023 – London.

Working with the UK Government to improve public sector services, AdRoc is a team player which consistently upholds its values. At its very core, AdRoc always strives to improve the public sector for everyone. It provides “high performing multi-disciplinary teams, specialists, and managed service solutions to the UK Public Sector.”

By developing and delivering multiple user-centred services to millions of individuals across the UK, AdRoc is becoming a giant in its industry. From discovery to alpha, beta, and live, its services are aiding others in ways they haven’t experienced before.

AdRoc works diligently to create and provide cloud-based services to users, stakeholders, policy teams, and agile development teams – in order to meet their needs entirely. It is a software development partner, working alongside GDS, UKMOJ, DFE, and BEIS. AdRoc’s team always adheres to GDS standards to increase cost savings, flexibility, guarantee success, and so much more.

Its technical architecture services are created in a completely bespoke fashion. It centers on clean, simple architecture to increase scalability and development to an incredible standard. In fact, everything it does can result in cost savings and success. Its skills across every segment of its work guarantee improvement, agility, skill advancements, and the satisfaction of user’s needs.

Rhys Evans, CEO of AdRoc, has over 10 years of experience in his role. After an admirable career path in software development and consulting, Rhys swiftly positioned himself as a fine choice for the CEO spot at AdRoc Group.

 

AdRoc’s CEO, Rhys Evans, truly stands out from the crowd due to his dedication, zest for development, and ability to help “build better public services.”

 

With AdRoc’s founding in 2012, Rhys decided to share his vast knowledge, experience, and support with a team of individuals who each look to be part of something bigger than themselves. More than a machine that drives products forth for profit alone, AdRoc’s team create opportunities for people to experience better services across many areas such as the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Agency, Department for Work and Pensions, Public Health England, Department for Education, and more.

Rhys has now won Most Influential Public Sector Support CEO 2023 – London, and things are getting better and better for his already flourishing career. Gaining recognition is part of his development, and we’re pleased to celebrate his win.

For business enquiries, contact Rhys Evans from AdRoc Group on their website – https://adrocgroup.com/

man smiling at camera with yooogroup logo next to him

Innovation With Yooo In Mind

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Businesses that truly push their customers to the forefront of their every move are absolutely imperative for the advancement of the corporate landscape. Founding, organising, and overseeing a plethora of companies under his parent company, YoooGroup, Benjamin Willmore has caught our eye. We take a closer look at the admirable work that Benjamin does as he wins Most Influential CEO 2023 – Surrey (Investment Management).

In 2017, Benjamin Willmore launched YoooGroup, a private-owned investment firm, to
incorporate YoooServ, Yooodle, Bomboni, Bookify, and Bla Bla. With an exciting mixture of bars and cafes to an estate agency, premium office spaces, and software, YoooGroup has swiftly become more than substantial – it is an unbreakable goliath within the business world.

With YoooGroup, Benjamin had formed a business that would make waves across a selection of industries whilst putting customer satisfaction and team morale first. One of his greatest
achievements is YoooServ, which was launched in 2019, after years of hard work and a vision for a better way of doing things.

Linking quality with affordability, flexibility, and fantastic customer service, Benjamin
embarked on a journey towards unrivalled success as YoooServ completely took off.


YoooServ is proud to cover commercial office space in order to shape a better world for us all.

 

Benjamin’s background within the working world covers many areas from hospitality to
estates, making him a well-rounded, informed, and talented as a jack of all trades. Benjamin’s
experiences led him to working with, and for, many companies over the course of his career –
and taught him a lot about how he prefers to manage people.

In an article from the Successful Founder (Meet the Successful Founder: Benjamin Willmore
| The Successful Founder) we learnt more about how his negative experiences also shaped his
future as a successful founder and CEO of the group. He said, “YoooServ was spawned accidentally as a direct response to my own negative personal experiences of trying to find the right serviced office for my estate agency business Yooodle. I was really unimpressed with the quality and service of what was available locally.

“Having been fed up with these poor standards, I wanted to create something different – a
new way to work, with well-designed spaces and outstanding facilities that foster better culture, productivity, and staff retention.”

Benjamin also tells us more about his leadership style. He says, “Mine has been grown from
years of grafting in different trades and industries. I spent so much time watching others and how they interacted, seeing their mistakes and nurturing my own style. I have never been one to read a book about someone else or follow others as I feel that I can write my book and make my own mistakes.”

Benjamin is proud of his team and what they do, but without his drive, vision, and innovative approach YoooGroup would not be where it is today. He is a CEO with compassion, and he
always looks out for his staff so that every member of the team can feel part of something that is bigger than themselves. He tells us, “I interact with the team every day. They will
come to me if they have troubles in their life, they feel relaxed and know that they can approach me on anything.”

From the very beginning, this open-door approach has never been alien to Benjamin. A successful CEO, or any member of senior management, incorporates care into everything they do – and Benjamin is particularly influential due to his approach. When elaborating on the importance of his team, he enthuses, “They are the success; I had the ideas and vision, they have implemented it and brought it to life. Sitting here, I can hear laughter in the background. I can see the team working away on different projects. It’s a really good buzz.”

As YoooGroup continues to serve small businesses to global billion pound/dollar companies,
Benjamin’s approach keeps both them and the end customer in mind. He believes in making their industries a better place, keeping people happy, and flexing his creative muscles throughout every endeavour – daily, weekly, yearly.

Any challenges that YoooGroup has faced have been met with an innovative approach and a
positive attitude. YoooGroup has grown substantially over the years gone by and now, with so much experience behind him, Benjamin can proudly lead a team exactly the way he believes teams should be led.

For the future, Benjamin is in talks with numerous investors and funds to help build his vision while the team are planning on opening 3 more serviced locations – and add in 4 more corporate managed tenancies. Benjamin shares, “Our app company Bookify.Space is growing extremely well, with new clients joining each month The cafe business Bla Bla has its first location, with a second being secured, we plan to add 2-4 new café’s a year for the next 5 years.”

 

“I will just keep going and going. I love watching people grow, seeing them develop, and for the team to always feel secured. I guess in a way, I won’t stop as the end goal isn’t decided.”

 

Winning Most Influential CEO 2023 – Surrey (Investment Management) is yet another fine
achievement for Benjamin as his upward trajectory continues. We are excited to see where his career takes him next.

From serviced offices and managed office spaces to indulgent, top-tier bars and restaurants,
YoooGroup has Yooo covered. If you would like to find out more, please visit the website
today.

For business enquiries, contact Benjamin Willmore from YoooGroup on their website – https://yooogroup.com/

man standing in front of giant tablet and reading news on it

One Giant Leap…

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew

Having launched the concept of giant smartphones back in 2011, tech pioneer Mark Jones has taken Giant iTab from a fledgling company to a highly respected global brand with multiple awards and global partners around the world. We speak to Mark and find out more about his innovative range of products that have propelled him forward in the digital era, as he is crowned Most Influential CEO 2022 – London, United Kingdom.

Like many before him, Mark  Jones started out as a one-man band working from his dining room table with an abundance of ideas, a very small budget, and an acute passion for film. Having worked in film & media for MGM and Sony Pictures, Mark recognised the undeniable benefit of digital presentation and is a true believer in the universal truth that‘content is king’.

Combining a degree in engineering and experience working with touchscreen manufacturing, he saw the potential for a ‘giant smartphone’, having observed that 50% of attendees at a leading tech exhibition were looking at the large touchscreens on offer, whilst the other half were on their new iPhones – leading to his eureka moment for combining the two!

From relatively modest beginnings, he quickly made friends with major brands and built a network of reliable ‘best of breed’ technology supply partners who have helped form the backbone of Giant iTab’s client portfolio for many years. Recognising the enormous contribution made by digital pioneers like Tim Berners-Lee and Steve Jobs, Mark often refers to his own company as “standing on the shoulders of giants”.

Mark’s current role as a proactive CEO is balancing the executive management of Giant iTab, whilst being at the epicentre of generating the vision to take the company to even greater heights. This involves succession, bringing in experienced people to take over the day-to-day running of the business, and creating more time for driving new product development, building professional teams, and securing more global business.

As an independent, family-owned company with a dynamic team of specialists that services the full spectrum of the event industry – from exhibitors, through to conferences, organisers, venues, experiential agencies, and stand builders – Giant iTab’s international footprint and partners span across four continents. The company’s work ethic and drive rotate around its core values and purpose: “making presentation technology more familiar and more engaging by leveraging the most significant digital device in the world… the smart phone.”

Before they became event profs, the giant smartphone concept was originally designed to be sold into the retail and e-commerce market – and then serendipity herself delivered the events business into the team’s hands!

 

“We had a good idea and worked hard to make it happen. We were also fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. The events business was showing interest in the use of technology to deliver a better visitor experience, and smartphone apps were being created as digital show guides for almost every large event. The need to make a big impact in a short amount of time became a key market driver for the growing exhibition and event sector.

                                                                                            – Mark Jones, Founder CEO

 

Leveraging the success of the smartphone, Mark has carved an important “niche” in the market as a global supplier to blue chip companies and the exhibition and events market, providing a range of giant smartphone solutions which have been proven to create better visibility for their clients, sponsors, and exhibitors, by providing more engagement and an improved customer experience for visitors to events, exhibitions, and conferences all over the world. As a result, the company has won multiple awards including the prestigious EN Best Supporting Supplier Award and EN Best Sales Tool 2022, forging Giant iTab into the event tech history books.

After speaking with Mark, it’s clear that from his more than 6 years as CEO, his leadership style has been shaped around the events industry, even becoming a notable thought leader. He’s created a progressive and high-performing team supported by a healthy work environment, with the foundation of his leadership style being based upon core values revolving around honesty, work ethic, performance, generosity, people first, service and support. It’s evident he adds value to everything he’s involved in within his company, and this shows as Giant iTab has translated it’s attentive level of care into higher client retention and stronger brand loyalty year on year.

Mark handpicks each staff member to ensure they possess the qualities best suited to the core values of the company, and that they can demonstrate the skills needed, not just to fulfil the requirements of their individual positions, but to showcase that they have the communication, self-awareness, and technical skills needed to engage with senior members of staff and clients at all levels. This high calibre of personnel creates a competitive and progressive environment, simultaneously supporting each other to reach a common goal, which ultimately, is the driving force behind the company’s continued successes.

In light of the global Covid-19 disruptions, rendering the live events and conference industry to zero, Giant iTab’s bounce back has been nothing short of phenomenal. Having been chosen to build custom giant smartphone solutions for TikTok, the fastest growing social media brand in the world, at a time where live events and conferences were completely off the cards, Mark took it upon his shoulders to rise to the challenge and deliver an amazing series of innovative products.

When live events were finally back on, Mark understood the necessity to diversify and adapt to the challenging circumstances by introducing ‘smartphone sanitisers’ so events can demonstrate they are following government guidelines to combat Covid-19 and provide a safe environment for staff and visitors, truly bringing to life that “necessity is the mother of invention”. Mark’s trailblazing and thoughtful nature during these challenging times has enabled Giant iTab to continue to procure high-profile partners as well as create a very pragmatic and elegant new solution to its product range.

With the growing appetite for success and innovation, Mark and his team are always developing their product range, with the ultimate goal of improving user experience and options for their clients. Their most recent project involves the design, manufacture, and marketing of their 7th generation model, the ‘G007’ – otherwise known as the ‘Salesmate or Executive Sales Tool’. This is your very own ‘portable’ giant smartphone – perfect for the ‘on the go’ event prof. or salesperson looking for a lightweight sales tool to carry with them and present all their apps, websites, social media, and other digital content more effectively. The fact that this particular giant smartphone comes in a custom briefcase compliant with airline hand-luggage allowances, makes it the ‘must have’ sales tool of today!

 

Mark’s Simple Tips for CEO Success

“Be optimistic. Believe in yourself. Trust in your own capabilities. Know your CEO style. Revisit your assumptions on a daily basis. Stay focussed on what your best at. Set achievable goals. Communicate effectively. Search for the best in everyone and build the loyalty of a good team around you by showing you care. Leverage technology. Take the role of CEO with pride and act as a true north compass bearing with all your company’s, colleague’s and client’s best interests at heart. Celebrate your journey”

For business enquiries, contact Mark Douglas Jones from Giant iTab via email – [email protected] or on their website – www.giantitab.com