The Bold Vision of Raf Kinet: An Exploration into International Business
Well, ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats, because Raf Kinet is here to drag us through the wild world of global business management—and trust me, it’s a journey! At the ripe age of 52, Raf’s taken on 21 years in the manager’s chair, which is impressive! I mean, that’s basically the equivalent of dog years in corporate leadership! And did you hear his life motto? “Explorer.” Not “I’d like a quiet life, please.” No, no. Raf’s motto suggests he’s about as easy to handle as an unsupervised child in a candy store!
Border Regions and International Punchlines
Raf opens his world with a fun tidbit: “Because we are in a border region, we are obliged to work internationally.” It’s like saying, “I live next to a donut shop, so obviously, I have to eat donuts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Limburg—where Raf’s throne is located—is a small economic region, but clearly, Raf didn’t get the memo that ‘small’ doesn’t mean ‘unambitious.’ He cheekily sums up his geographical strategy by saying that from Hasselt, he can pop over to Aachen quicker than someone can say “In Belgium, we love our fries!”
Offimac: A Reliable MVP in Your ERP Game
Now let’s talk about Raf’s brainchild, Offimac. Back in ‘96, they jumped on the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central bandwagon early—way before it was even cool. I mean, that’s fantastic. That’s like being the first person to find Wi-Fi in a coffee shop and then helping everyone else connect! Raf humbly refers to his company as a “reliable partner.” I don’t know about you, but when someone calls themselves reliable, it usually means they’ve traded in their wheeling-and-dealing badge for an apron and a cup of herbal tea!
Specialization: Raf’s Secret Sauce
Raf has this little secret he’s sharing: “Doing everything for everyone is not possible.” How refreshing! If only the world could take this mantra to heart. Specialization for Offimac is like adding gherkins to a burger; unnecessary for some but a delightful enhancement for those who see the world through a very specific lens. They focus on tailored applications for rental, construction, and projects. It’s like they’re providing the bespoke suits of the business software world. You get the quality of Microsoft, but with the custom-tailored finesse of Offimac. Now that’s what I call a win-win situation!
Going International: Raf Wants a Piece of the Pie
Now come the juicy bits! Offimac isn’t just lounging in Belgium and the Netherlands; Raf wants to take his talents across Europe like some software-slinging LeBron James. France? Check. Germany? You bet. Scandinavia, Romania, and Poland? Absolutely! He’s eyeing foreign customers like a contestant on “The Bachelor,” ready to hand out roses—well, software solutions, that is! And they’re not just any apps; we’re talking about a project management application that’s ranked number two on Microsoft AppSource internationally! If that isn’t a badge of honor, I don’t know what is!
Local Partners: The Key to Success
Who needs a superhero when you’ve got local partners, right? Raf realizes that local knowledge and the personal touch is as essential as tea is to the British! He plans to set up a partner platform with local IT partners—because who better to deal with local culture and legislation than someone who’s already navigating it? It’s like having a map when you’re lost in a foreign city—you’ll thank your lucky stars for it after wandering around in circles like a lost tourist!
Knowledge is Power: The Go International Program
To ensure he doesn’t stumble into the fast-paced world of international business blindfolded, Raf’s diving into the Go International program with Voka – KvK Limburg. After all, nothing screams ‘Grown-Up Talk’ like wrapping your head around financial and legal challenges. It’s basically adulting on steroids, and Raf’s taking it one entrepreneurial step at a time! He’s keen on enhancing his knowledge while rubbing shoulders with other entrepreneurs. Can you imagine the networking dinners? “So, what’s your biggest struggle?” “Oh, just tax law in five countries—nobody pulls that off like I do!”
The Road Ahead
Raf’s mindset is clear: this is a start-up phase with some antennas already fired up in various countries. He knows you can’t be active everywhere—kind of like trying to be the life of the party at two weddings at once—impossible! The strategy will focus on neighboring countries over the next five years, making them the bread and butter of his international ambition. Let’s be real; achieving a stronghold in those regions would be like winning a gold medal in the international business Olympics!
So here’s to Raf Kinet, the explorer of the business world! May his ambitions stretch further than a cat’s ability to nap anywhere! Because in the world of international business, it’s those who dare to dream big that end up leading the pack!
Raf Kinet
Age: 52 years
Number of years as manager: 21
Life motto: Explorer
Because we are in a border region, we are obliged to work internationally,” explains Raf. “Limburg is, after all, a small economic region compared to the other provinces. And from Hasselt I can also get to Aachen faster than from Ghent or Bruges.”
Reliable partner
“In 1996 we were one of the first resellers in Belgium of what is now Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. That is an ERP solution tailored to SMEs. Microsoft sells this generic software through partners in 196 countries, serving 200,000 companies worldwide.”
Doing everything for everyone is not possible, Raf knows. “Specialization is a necessity. With Offimac we therefore focus on specific applications for rental, construction and projects. We add specific functionalities for those sectors. This way our customers get the best of both worlds: the quality of Microsoft, with the customization of Offimac.”
International ambition
Offimac is currently mainly active in Belgium and the Netherlands. “But even now we already have customers in France, Germany, Scandinavia, Romania and Poland. Usually via multinationals that also have offices in those countries. However, our ambition is to internationalize further. We have the software and it has long proven its quality.”
“We especially want to grow in the number of foreign customers. Our strength is that we offer specialized solutions for specific sectors. We want to roll out this asset internationally, especially through sales and marketing. For example, our project management application is already number 2 internationally in Microsoft AppSource.”
Local partners
The next step is to set up a partner platform. “We work with local IT partners for the local implementation of the software. We sell the solution, but the local partner is better informed about local culture and legislation. Moreover, the end user also prefers personal contact in their own language.”
“To expand that network, we work with the Dutch Companial, an IT distributor with a network of 1,000 partners in more than 25 countries. In this way, their distribution structure is a lever for our own internationalization. Thanks to the internet and our cloud solutions, this can now all be done easily and efficiently remotely. That has given our international ambition a major boost.”
Knowledge and expertise
To strengthen their international plans, Raf is following the Go International program of Voka – KvK Limburg. “There are quite a lot of financial, business and legal challenges. And so this process really comes at just the right time. I look forward to strengthening our knowledge and expertise about international entrepreneurship together with other entrepreneurs.”
“We are currently still in the start-up phase. We now have a number of antennas in various countries. However, you cannot be active everywhere. This process will help me to further clarify our strategy. In any case, we want to focus on the neighboring countries over the next five years. Achieving a strong position there would be a very good outcome of our international ambition.”
### Interview with Raf Kinet: The Explorer of International Business
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Raf! Your journey in the business world has been quite remarkable. You’ve been in management for over two decades. How has your approach to leadership evolved in that time?
**Raf Kinet:** Thank you for having me! Leadership is a continuous learning experience. Early on, I focused on the operational aspects, ensuring we had the right processes in place. As time passed, I realized that fostering team creativity and adaptability is just as crucial. I’ve always believed in the motto ‘Explorer’—it’s about seeking new opportunities and navigating challenges with curiosity and resilience.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of exploration, you mentioned that living in a border region compels you to think internationally. Can you elaborate on that?
**Raf Kinet:** Absolutely! Being in Limburg, I have quick access to several European markets. It’s essential for our growth. If you’re located next to a donut shop, you can hardly refuse a donut for breakfast, right? Similarly, we must engage with neighboring markets like Germany and France, making international collaboration a vital part of our strategy.
**Interviewer:** Offimac has quite an impressive track record, especially being an early adopter of Microsoft Dynamics 365. What sets your company apart in the competitive ERP landscape?
**Raf Kinet:** We pride ourselves on specialization. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, Offimac focuses on tailored solutions for specific sectors like rental, construction, and project management. This targeted approach allows us to provide deeper functionalities that cater precisely to our clients’ needs, combining Microsoft’s quality with our custom touch.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a winning formula! You’ve got plans to expand into new markets across Europe. What challenges do you anticipate?
**Raf Kinet:** Each market comes with its unique cultural and legal challenges, which is why we’re focusing on building partnerships with local IT firms. Their knowledge of local conditions will be invaluable. And of course, continuous learning is key. I’m participating in the Go International program to better navigate these complexities.
**Interviewer:** It seems like networking and local insights are central to your strategy. How do you plan to maintain these connections as you grow?
**Raf Kinet:** Long-term relationships are crucial. We intend to establish a partner platform where we can collaborate with local experts. It’s like having a map when exploring—those familiar with the territory can guide you through, ensuring we respect local cultures and regulations as we operate.
**Interviewer:** what’s next for you and Offimac in this exciting journey of international expansion?
**Raf Kinet:** We’re in a start-up phase towards internationalization. Our immediate focus is on consolidating our position in neighboring countries, as this will be our bread and butter. Over the next few years, we aim to solidify our presence and grow a strong network. The road ahead is full of opportunities, and I’m committed to taking Offimac to new heights.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Raf! Your adventurous spirit and strategic mindset are genuinely inspiring. We wish you the best on this exciting journey ahead!
**Raf Kinet:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure sharing my insights. Here’s to bold visions and new horizons!
