Tuesday 29 June
"We work on a 'no result-no pay' basis"
NABC keeps on attracting businesses and companies to join the network. This month's new member is Human Resources Boosters. Lex Lindeman, Managing Director, tells about his company.


We primarily provide short and high impact learning interventions aimed mainly at developing managers and leaders. On request, we provide longer term and follow up interventions. We also organize sales and marketing workshops for organizations dealing in (Fast Moving) Consumer Goods. Apart from these programs, we are regularly asked to provide solutions and coach management teams and their subordinates.

Why HR Boosters?
We have built a reputation and gained valuable experience helping companies in developing markets in Africa and the rest of the world. Our consultants are experienced professionals who know the markets, the culture and the ground conditions, having lived and worked in Africa. In the 17 African countries where we have operated, it has been our goal to be culturally sensitive, to understand, coach and act depending on the different cultures we are dealing with. Although, we work internationally, our programs have been specifically developed and geared towards the African and ME markets.
We discuss the various objectives with the local hierarchy and we work together to transform these objectives into clear and achievable development targets. HRBoosters gives you the assurance of tangible success. Depending on the specific project, after 2 months a joint evaluation will be conducted together with the client. If the expected outcomes are not met and the short term results are not measurable, the client will not be invoiced for this intervention. We work on a 'no result-no pay' basis.

What can companies expect from the workshops/coaching sessions?
Our approach is aimed more at developing and enriching competencies than knowledge; that is, for us and the client it is more important what the participants do different after an intervention than if they think different.
Our interventions/workshops have the same character; they are interactive and we challenge our participants to deliver whilst learning. We don't stand in front of our target group and just use PowerPoint presentations.

We facilitate exchanges between the participants and make them practice and work on improving their competencies. In the workshops we use real life situations and issues. The participants and their superiors receive a global program; we don't stick to a strict time-table. We think it is more important for the participants to learn than for the facilitator to work to an agenda. We adapt our facilitation to the demand, for example, if we have to go slower or faster and give more attention to an important issue that surfaces or if we find it necessary to concentrate more on particular competencies, we do so.

We also provide a very important tool which is to make all the materials used and gathered during the workshop, including pictures, etc. available on the member section of the HRBoosters website. This enables the participants to refresh their memory of what they learnt and reread the tutorials.

What is the main reason you joined the NABC? What do you hope to obtain from the membership?
To tap into and make the best use of the vast opportunities of being able to connect and have access to a dedicated network thereby increasing our potential client base is the most important reason. Being in contact with other members, sharing knowledge and exchanging information with people with the same passion for doing business in Africa is very enriching for us.

What is your vision on the development of Africa?
Africa is rich in resources. For example, crude oil, diamonds and a vast range of raw materials. We believe that in the future Africa MUST play a role in processing these raw materials themselves instead of exporting it across the globe and re-importing the finished goods made initially from African raw materials.

To achieve this, to process raw materials, Africa needs more capable and qualified personnel. Right now, there is a devastating "brain-drain". Highly educated African professionals leave the continent as there is little demand for their knowledge and services. Modern manufacturing need their skills and knowledge to develop Africa. The migration of these valuable professionals must be stopped. A structure must be put into place and the possibilities should be provided to develop and retain talent; to woo back those professionals who left by making Africa interesting and attractive for Africans to stay and return.

It is certain that Africa will experience growth and develop in the next ten years; look at the example of the pace of growth of mobile phone networks and coverage. Efficient infrastructure, systems and processes should be put in place. Inspired leadership and employees are an absolute necessity. The investment in infrastructure and communication networks is primordial. In order to accelerate growth Africa must encourage increased entrepreneurial initiatives and trade and attract increased foreign investment.

Where do you see yourself, HR Boosters and Africa in 10 years?
We would like to inspire Africans to be proud to be African!
We see ourselves partnering in the growth and development of the African continent by helping make Africa self-sufficient in the world market. We believe that well trained, professional and competent leaders and workforce are the key for success and sustained development!
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    Van Beest B.V.-Joppe Schouten
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    Berenschot- Fons de Zeeuw
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    Rolof Mulder, Director Hospitainer
  • "NABC=Efficiency I have been a member of NABC since December 2010. During my visit in Den Haag in August 2011 I took time to meet with the NABC team. I received a warm welcome and was taken in the meeting room where I had a meeting with the projec

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  • The evening was very well organized with plenty of opportunity to meet and talk with other people. The venue was much better than last year and dinner was good too. I would say the whole event gets a 9 out of 10 from me.

    Martin de Koning
  • The Ambassadors Dinner seems to be a successful setup. In a short time it was possible to meet the representative Ambassadors of the various African countries and discuss the issues in an informal way. Next time we will participate again.

    De Lage Landen International B.V. - Carl van Zelderen
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