One crisis follows another and the main picture today is one of uncertainty: in the economy and also in politics. Europe, once so powerful, is struggling with serious problems in many countries. Businesses in the Netherlands and other countries are confronted with drastic changes in customer behavior, a decline in economic growth, disturbances in the Euro zone, governments struggling with budget deficits and political unrest. Most Dutch businesses are operating in this dynamic playing field.
Hans Bakker (international consultant, former Professor of Strategy & Cooperation and current International Guest Lecturer at Nyenrode Business Universiteit) and Michiel Boersma (former President of Shell Global Solutions and former CEO of Essent, now independent advisor and non-executive director) developed an approach of how Dutch businesses can create opportunities for growth and development in the coming years. They validated their approach in a dialogue with CEOs and CFOs of various Dutch businesses.
Hans Bakker (international consultant, former Professor of Strategy & Cooperation and current International Guest Lecturer at Nyenrode Business Universiteit) and Michiel Boersma (former President of Shell Global Solutions and former CEO of Essent, now independent advisor and non-executive director) developed an approach of how Dutch businesses can create opportunities for growth and development in the coming years. They validated their approach in a dialogue with CEOs and CFOs of various Dutch businesses.
Approach for growth and development to maintain prosperityTheir approach regarding the creation of opportunities for business growth and development is essential to retain the existing level of prosperity in the Netherlands. The ‘Sustainable Netherlands Monitor 2011’ confirmed that future generations will find it harder to maintain the current standard of living, unless some radical changes are made today. That of course calls for a long-term vision; something the Dutch government has not yet been willing to entertain.
Positive approach
In their book, “Ster-ondernemingen. Vijf groeistrategieën in een veranderend businesslandschap” (Star Businesses. Five growth strategies in a changing business landscape), authors Bakker and Boersma opt for a positive approach. They describe nine fundamental changes that are currently taking place and affect all Dutch businesses. These changes can be seen as threats, but they also offer opportunities for growth, if there are recognized and understood. Turning a blind eye to these fundamental changes – as many business leaders and politicians are doing – will result in Dutch businesses becoming unnecessarily more vulnerable.
‘Star’ businesses are Dutch companies that are successful and will remain so in the coming years thanks to their creativity, up-to-date knowledge, intelligent cooperation and international orientation. The book describes their characteristics and how they contribute to being successful. It does not provide a recipe for all Dutch companies, but it does describe guidelines for businesses to develop their own success formula. The approach has been validated in interviews with thirty CEO’s/CFO’s of very different Dutch companies: from start-ups through to small, medium-size, large and multinational businesses. Every Dutch business can benefit from this.
Round Table Conference
On October 10th, 2011, a Round Table Conference was held at Nyenrode for CEO’s of Dutch businesses and the opportunities for Dutch businesses were discussed. At this meeting, the first copies of the book ‘Ster-ondernemingen’ were presented to a number of CEO’s, who had participated in the interviews.
Reactions to the book ‘Ster-ondernemingen’
– Jeroen van der Veer, former CEO, Royal Dutch Shell
*A well written book that clearly outlines nine global developments, with special attention to two, hitherto relatively neglected, themes: changing world- and self-images, and directive governments. In addition, the authors offer entrepreneurs advice on how to interpret these themes in the context of their own business.
– Anja Montijn-Groenewoud, Managing Director, Accenture Nederland
*To me a management book often seems like another edition in the ‘For Dummies’ series. Common sense and experience are difficult to encapsulate in a wider perspective that is accessible to others. And not everyone has a talent for writing well. But this book is the exception to the rule: it’s easy to understand, and ‘the Roundabout’ ('de Rotonde') is worth reading for everyone who wishes the Dutch private sector well. This is the only recent management book that I have read with genuine pleasure while also learning something from it.
– Floris Deckers, Chairman of the Executive Board of Van Lanschot Bankiers
*The essence of the changes that a business must accommodate is that values, not profit, are the basis for continuity and development. Sustainability is a key concept here and it is primarily based on ethical considerations; techniques and organization are instrumental – as shown by the inspiring Star Businesses.
– Cees Veerman, Professor of Sustainable Rural Development in a European Perspective (Wageningen/Tilburg), former Minister of Agriculture (LNV), Chairman of the Committee on a Future-proof Higher Education System and Chairman of the Delta Committee.
* A good and practical book for the star businesses of the future. Long live ambition, creativity, new partnerships and story-telling.
– Raymond Cloosterman, CEO, Rituals Cosmetics
* An exciting and up-to-date book about the developments and challenges facing the Dutch private sector and its ‘star businesses’. With many inspiring lessons and recommendations, primarily for business leaders and managers, so that they can consistently grow to become top performers. But it is also a source of inspiration for the new Dutch industry policy, aimed at strengthening the top sectors in which the Dutch economy is an international star player.
– Bernard Wientjes, Chairman of VNO-NCW
Upcoming activities in connection with Star Businesses
Nyenrode & RTL Z Masterclass – Creating opportunities for Dutch businesses 2012-2017
On February 14th, 2012, Nyenrode will organize, in partnership with RTL Z, an afternoon for business leaders, non-executive directors and managers who are interested in creating opportunities for Dutch businesses in the coming years. This will also be an interesting meeting for politicians and public administrators. Guest speakers from the Dutch private sector, the chairman of VNO-NCW and the authors will contribute to this interactive master class hosted by RTL Z.
For more information, please contact Diederik Slob, Business Leader Executive Education, via d.slob@nyenrode.nl
Information on tailormade Star Businesses Activities
To comment on Star Businesses, get information, or find out about the programs, send an email to Nel Hildebrand, Director of Executive Education n.hildebrand@nyenrode.nl or to Hans Bakker hans.bakker@javelinpartners.nl
About the authors of the book
Dr. Hans Bakker works as an international business and strategy consultant and is the Managing Director of Javelin Partners. He was formerly Professor of Strategy and Cooperation and is currently International Guest Lecturer at Nyenrode Business Universiteit. In his career spanning more than 25 years, he has assisted many national and international companies in developing and realizing their vision and strategy, often based on cooperation. Bakker works for local profit and non-profit organizations in many countries across Europe, America and Asia.
Dr. Michiel Boersma began his career at Shell Research and has worked for over 25 years for Royal Dutch Shell in a variety of executive positions in the UK, Turkey and the Netherlands. These have included Manager of Downstream Business Consultancy, President of Shell Coal International, CEO of Shell Turkey, Head of Downstream Oil Strategy, CEO of Shell Gas (LPG) and President of Shell Global Solutions. In 2003, he was appointed CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Essent, the Netherlands’ biggest utility, which was acquired by RWE of Germany in 2009. He is now an independent advisor and a non-executive member of various national and international boards.
On February 14th, 2012, Nyenrode will organize, in partnership with RTL Z, an afternoon for business leaders, non-executive directors and managers who are interested in creating opportunities for Dutch businesses in the coming years. This will also be an interesting meeting for politicians and public administrators. Guest speakers from the Dutch private sector, the chairman of VNO-NCW and the authors will contribute to this interactive master class hosted by RTL Z.
For more information, please contact Diederik Slob, Business Leader Executive Education, via d.slob@nyenrode.nl
Information on tailormade Star Businesses Activities
To comment on Star Businesses, get information, or find out about the programs, send an email to Nel Hildebrand, Director of Executive Education n.hildebrand@nyenrode.nl or to Hans Bakker hans.bakker@javelinpartners.nl
About the authors of the book
Dr. Hans Bakker works as an international business and strategy consultant and is the Managing Director of Javelin Partners. He was formerly Professor of Strategy and Cooperation and is currently International Guest Lecturer at Nyenrode Business Universiteit. In his career spanning more than 25 years, he has assisted many national and international companies in developing and realizing their vision and strategy, often based on cooperation. Bakker works for local profit and non-profit organizations in many countries across Europe, America and Asia.
Dr. Michiel Boersma began his career at Shell Research and has worked for over 25 years for Royal Dutch Shell in a variety of executive positions in the UK, Turkey and the Netherlands. These have included Manager of Downstream Business Consultancy, President of Shell Coal International, CEO of Shell Turkey, Head of Downstream Oil Strategy, CEO of Shell Gas (LPG) and President of Shell Global Solutions. In 2003, he was appointed CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Essent, the Netherlands’ biggest utility, which was acquired by RWE of Germany in 2009. He is now an independent advisor and a non-executive member of various national and international boards.
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