A Year in Review with Visma Connect's Managing Director, Sander Odijk
As we bid farewell to 2023 and start to plan and envision a promising 2024, it's only fitting to reflect on the insights shared by Visma Connect's Managing Director, Sander Odijk. In a candid interview, Sander gave us a glimpse into his journey over the past year, shedding light on the company's evolution and personal experiences.
In this blog
- Embracing Change and New Responsibilities
- Navigating the Complexity of Services
- Looking to the Future: Goals and Priorities for 2024
Embracing Change and New Responsibilities
Sander began by acknowledging the swift passage of time, reminiscing about his first day at Visma Connect when the office building was largely deserted due to remote working. Having taken on a new role with fresh responsibilities, he also shared his initial challenges, humorously admitting to occasional slips in using the incorrect company name. However, within a year under his wing, the company transitioned to a new office, achieved progress in its roadmap, and streamlined its portfolio and organisational processes. As he elaborated on the changes, he highlighted the importance of assembling and aligning the right team with the organisation's strategy. He admires the organisation's flexibility and commitment to embrace change while expressing satisfaction with the achievements of the past year, which surpassed initial expectations. While demanding, the resulting transformation reflected in increased traction and organisational buy-in of all staff.
Navigating the Complexity of Services
As the interview progressed, Sander emphasised the importance of a positive team dynamic, acknowledging the diverse and real nature of Visma Connect's workforce. However, as a newcomer, understanding Visma Connect's intricate products and services proved challenging for Sander. He shared his admiration for the extensive knowledge within the organisation and credits his colleagues, André Kila and Mirjam Biesheuvel, for their invaluable support in unravelling the complexities of Visma Connect’s many solutions and internal processes. For him, this collaborative effort exemplified the strength of Visma Connect's team.
“I think it was very important for me, especially in the first few months, to get the right people on the bus, making sure that we have the right team,” he said. “What surprised me the most was the in-depth knowledge of our people and how we work together when we need to accomplish a goal. We stick together, and we make things work. We have quite a diverse team over here with many different people. But, not always being the same is okay. That's something to be proud of.”
Looking to the Future: Goals and Priorities for 2024
Sander outlined the company's priorities for 2024, emphasising balanced capacity management, SureSync portfolio delivery, and the need for a broadened client base. “The priorities of 2024 are about capacity management and good decisions about where to invest our resources. It's about getting new clients in. It's about strategy, really delivering on the new SureSync portfolio. It's also about culture, really taking ownership and making sure that we deliver on all the projects we are doing,” Sander stated.
He identified the information exchange and standard business reporting as Visma Connect's current stronghold while envisioning expansion into data spaces and federative data solutions. “We are certainly standing out on information exchange, even more so with all the knowledge and competencies we have over here. It's mind-boggling. The amount of knowledge and competence we have here in our domain is, really, really big. And when it comes to getting new services and new opportunities, we can do a lot. We have a lot of knowledge and competence to compile to ensure we deliver a great solution for our clients.”
He further emphasised the potential presented by evolving information exchange mechanisms and upcoming legislative changes. “We can be driving on the waves of European legislation. We can be one of the first parties in the Netherlands being able to bring it to the market…We must be seen as thought leaders within our domain, professionals; we have the knowledge and deliver innovation,” he added.
In closing, Sander expressed optimism for the future, anticipating another year of success. As he shared his plans for the coming year, he acknowledged the need to balance enthusiasm with thoughtful consideration. He underlined the collaborative effort required from the entire team to achieve these goals. His final words resonated with a sense of camaraderie and reflecting gratitude for the shared wisdom and thoughts. So, as we wrap up Sander’s first year at the helm of Visma Connect with this insightful interview, let's raise a virtual toast to him and the Visma Connect team's achievements in 2023 and to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in 2024.
The Impact of Science on Society and its Importance in Fostering Tomorrow's Innovators
As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, it is crucial to recognise and encourage scientific talent. At Visma Connect, we believe that pursuing scientific knowledge not only unravels the mysteries of the universe but also holds the key to solving some of the practical issues we face daily. As a company, we are committed to advancing knowledge and innovation because it helps us do our job and because we recognise the pivotal role that science and scientific societies play in advancing society.
