December 19, 2024 • 17 mins
What happens when two industry giants join forces to reshape the future of lighting design? Tune in to hear Martin Klaasen and Paul Nulty share their insights following the merger of Klaasen Lighting Design and Nulty+. Get a better understanding of how their shared values and mutual respect are setting the stage for unprecedented growth and innovation. This isn't just a business deal; it's a cultural alignment that prioritises knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the well-being of loyal staff, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for both companies involved.
The excitement of transitioning from a "small, family-like atmosphere to a more structured enterprise" is palpable—Martin Klaasen. The merger has cleared the path for mentoring, embracing diverse cultures, and empowering every team member to harness their strengths. Paul Nulty: "Picture a merry band of pirates ready to chart new courses"—this is the spirit driving our unified team as we align our energies for significant growth. It's a partnership built on trust and respect, where the whole truly becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Why Classon Lighting Design?
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Because you have a fantastic pedigree.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
You yourself come pre-loaded with a lot of
experience.
I think there's a lot ofsynergy between our practices,
beliefs in the way design shouldbe done and the benefits of
great lighting design.
So I think for us, as Nolte,there's a huge amount of benefit
in acquiring a company likeClasson.
What's really interesting forus?
We are a global organization.
We're now in eight offices,seven countries, but there's
(00:26):
also a kind of.
We respect the local cultures,obviously, but we have our own
global culture as well, andpulling you into that and
tapping into your knowledge isgoing to be exciting actually,
and so we're an organizationthat is based on knowledge
sharing and caring andcollaboration.
You can only facilitate furthergrowth in that.
(00:51):
That's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
That's what I'm concerned about.
Welcome back to the VirtualLighting Design Community
Podcast, a global platform thatempowers, inspires, educates and
connects the lighting designcommunity.
This podcast is brought to youby our premium supporters Aero
Hospitality Lighting, creativeLighting Asia, erco, the Signify
(01:15):
Lighting Academy and PhilipsLighting.
Today, we're excited to sharean insightful conversation
between two titans of thelighting design industry, martin
Klassen and Paul Nolte.
Recorded in Singapore at theend of November.
This engaging dialogue focuseson the recent acquisition of
Klassen Lighting Design byPaul's practice Nolte+.
Join us as Martin and Pauldiscuss their visions for the
(01:36):
future, the integration of theirteams and the unique
opportunities this mergerpresents.
Expect valuable insights intotheir collaborative approach,
the importance of knowledgesharing and how their shared
values will shape the evolutionof both companies.
Originally featured on Martin'spersonal brand website, light
Talk, it is available on theVirtual Lighting Design
Community Members site as avisual version, as well as on
(01:59):
our YouTube channel.
Visit vldcommunity to learnmore and tap intoa myriad of
interviews and presentations bylighting experts and industry
thought leaders.
Now, without further ado, let'sjump into the episode.
Enjoy.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Paul, here we are Partners in crime.
Now I thought it was maybe agood idea, now that you're here
in Singapore, that we have achat about how this all came
about.
I'm sure there's a lot ofpeople with questions, so my
first question to you is why?
Why glass and lighting design?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Because I want some more grey hair.
No, why glass and lightingdesign?
Because you have fantasticpedigree.
You know you've got youyourself.
Come preloaded with a lot ofexperience.
I think there's a lot of synergybetween our practices, beliefs
in the way design should be doneand the benefits of great
(02:52):
lighting design.
So I think for us, as Nolte,there's a huge amount of benefit
in acquiring a company likeKlassen because, as I say, it
brings in more experience.
You've got a fantastic team, sothat benefits our team.
It gives us additional resource, availability to additional
resource.
There's an existing portfolioof um, of life projects, and
(03:16):
there's a great historicportfolio as well.
So for us it's kind of you knowwhat's not to like um.
I think, uh, it dovetails verywell and at the same time, I
think we can bring a lot ofbenefit to kld.
You know, by you know byimplementing some of our
processes and um and so forth,hopefully we can help the team
(03:37):
here grow and evolve um and, asthe two companies eventually
sort of zip together, um you, Ithink this should be a really
good opportunity for the endresult being greater than the
sum of its parts.
For me it's an exciting thing.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
I will also explain why I, of course, because it's a
why for you, but it's also awhy for me, because obviously I
guess the biggest surprise formany people is that I'm already
70, yeah, so there's obviouslysome things going on in my mind
in terms of succession, future,etc.
And I have very loyal staff,some of them with me more than
(04:18):
17 years, so I wanted to alsofind a home for them, should I,
in the future, not be able tocontinue what I'm doing?
I'm not saying I'm going tostop doing what I'm doing.
I love what I'm doing, butobviously preparation for the
future is also key, I think,very important.
So that's why I started lookingaround and, if you remember,
(04:39):
the first time we spoke was morethan five years ago, before
COVID even spoke, was more thanfive years ago before COVID even
.
But I never wanted to join ormerge with an architectural firm
or an engineering firm.
I wanted to join with somebodywhich is like-minded in terms of
attitude, values etc.
And in that respect, I'vealways looked at you from far
(05:02):
away.
You have got a lot of businessacumen as well, which is
something that I somewhatsometimes lack, so in that
respect, you'll be very helpful,but the values that you have,
also in terms of work-lifebalance, are very, really
important.
We are very strong on that, alsowithin our team, and I saw that
also within your team, alsowithin our team, and I saw that
(05:28):
also within your team, and wethink very much alike in terms
of what lighting design is whatwe are supposed to bring to our
clients.
So that attracted me very muchto you and your company, your
team.
So when we started talking tome, it was sort of a no-brainer
that that would be a really nicecombination, of course, with
your experience and the way youhave managed to build your
company to where it is on theglobal stage at the moment.
(05:50):
I thought that was also anopportunity for my team to grow
further.
There's a lot of potential inmy team, but I think they need
leadership like you can providefor them to grow further.
So that was, for me, also amajor key motivator to continue
this discussion well, I'mpleased and flattered.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Thank you, um, I think you're right.
Like I said, it works both ways.
Um, we don't always get thework-life balance right.
We try, we try.
I'm a real believer that we'reonly as good as the people we
employ, absolutely, um, and wewant a great team, we want an
engaged team, we want anempowered team.
It's always been my philosophyto lead from the back rather
(06:31):
than the front, so I don't likeputting bottlenecks in place.
I like empowering the team.
I like designers who want totake ownership and
accountability of their projectwork, and I think what that has
allowed me and then my team todo is to create an environment
that is really encouraging andempowering for people to come
(06:52):
and work in, and I think that'sfantastic and we value that.
We appreciate our team a lot,um, so it makes it kind of an
enjoyable space and I hope yourteam you're sort of joining and
becoming part of the wider groupthat it enables them to do that
, because, ultimately, the moreengaged people are, the better
(07:13):
the quality of work that isproduced.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Absolutely, it's a fairly simple equation I can
already see from my team.
So I engaged them a bit earlierin the process because I wanted
this to be a smooth transition.
So it was not at the last minuteinforming them that we would go
and be acquired by you, but forthe last couple of months they
have known where we're going toand it was very much like a team
effort to make sure this works,because I wanted their mindset
(07:37):
also along the way to to gothrough this process of merging
two totally well, not totallydifferent but different
companies, different, um, uh,work environments in in a way.
So you could say I mean, youhave your backgrounds in the UK
and Dubai.
There's obviously an Asianculture in my company.
(07:59):
So engaging them in the processof merging our two companies
was very important to make itsmooth, and I can see the
enthusiasm right now.
Already they're really excited.
But no, but that's that's key,because I think that will make
the transition very smooth.
I think you already saw in thelast few days how excited they
(08:20):
are and they're really puttingtheir efforts in also to to meet
with your team and start toengage.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
I think I just think back to when I was a junior
designer and an intermediatedesigner.
What did I want out of life?
And apart from more salarybecause that's what everybody
wants I really wanted to feelownership of my project work.
I wanted to feel that my ideaswere being heard, that I got to
meet the client present and wereally try and do that with the
(08:51):
team.
And I think when you layer thaton top of a culture that is one
of sharing, you know we giveaway a lot of knowledge, we
encourage, uh, collaboration.
I think it makes it an excitingplace to learn, cut your teeth,
to come into the industry.
So I think everybody enjoys itas a result.
(09:11):
And, like I say, we're only asgood as the people we employ and
if we can make them as engagedas possible, make the process as
enjoyable as possible, thenactually there's no excuse to
not be doing fantastic work.
Absolutely and ultimately,we're hopefully here to be doing
fantastic work, providingfantastic service and and making
it enjoyable.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, well, that's exactly it.
So that's also the main reasonwhy our negotiations, if I may
say that way, actually wentfairly smooth.
We had a few little fights hereand there, but overall, I think
our goal was to make this work.
Yeah, absolutely.
I saw that from this one, fromyou also the enthusiasm and the
will to make it work, and for mealso, I didn't want to put up
(09:55):
too many barriers to make thiswork, so I'm really happy.
I'm also very grateful that youappreciate what we can offer
you, and I'm very happy for myteam also to be part of yours.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Sure, I mean look, this was never a one-way street,
it's synergistic.
I think we can bring a lot.
You guys can bring a lot to usas well.
So for us it's win-win.
The negotiations were, let's behonest, there are probably only
half a dozen times in theentire industry where another
lighting practice has acquired alighting practice.
(10:29):
No, exactly, it's quite unique.
Actually, it's my first time.
So we're making it up as we goalong, but it has been very
smooth and very enjoyable.
I think it is the beginning ofthe beginning.
That's what's really exciting.
I think we don't lose track ofthe fact that we're lighting
designers, we love light, we'repassionate about light.
(10:51):
Yeah, we want to educate andgive away lots of knowledge
about light.
I know that's a very personalthing to you as well absolutely
all those sort of um, yeah, uh,things that you have going on.
So for us, I think it's superexciting there's there's so much
sort of synergy between the two, the two companies.
Um, the next 12 months, 24months, for me, are really
(11:15):
exciting.
It's the beginning of thebeginning, as I say, and I'm
looking forward to workingtogether.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
I'm also very much looking forward to that and I
see lots of opportunities whereI can share my knowledge, my
experience.
Obviously, you once told methat I would be the granddad of
the company, which I sort oflike as a title.
I'm a granddad in real life andit's really enjoyable to you
know, share your experience withthe new generation and, I think
(11:46):
, with your team, which alsoseems super enthusiastic and,
you know, engaged.
I think I will have a fun timein sharing my knowledge and
helping.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
For sure, and I think we're going to tap into that
Absolutely.
What's really interesting forus?
We are we're a globalorganization.
You know we're now in eightoffices or seven countries, but
there's also a kind of a.
We respect the local cultures,obviously but, we have our own
global culture as well, andpulling you into that and
(12:19):
tapping into your knowledge isgoing to be exciting, actually,
and so we're an organizationthat is based on knowledge
sharing and caring andcollaboration, and you can only
facilitate further growth.
Yeah, in that.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
yeah, that's, that's fantastic as far as I'm
concerned I'm I'm very excitedand, um, I still have to find my
way around it, because we arevery much a small little family
and we were all doing thingstogether.
Now we're getting in a muchmore structured and organized
environment, which I kind oflove because, first of all, I
feel a bit relieved because youcan take care of that now, but
(12:59):
which will free up time for meto really focus on that
knowledge sharing and mentoringwhich I'm really looking forward
to doing with the team as it isnow your team, and I think
there's a lot for us ahead wherewe can use our combined
experiences and expertise andskills to grow this company.
(13:20):
When I say this company, I'malready talking like our company
.
This is how I feel, even thoughI need to still let go of my
control desire.
Sometimes it's collaborative,yeah, yeah, but you will see
quite quickly that, um, you willfind my energy redirected where
it will need to go.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
uh, in terms of the new setup look, I, I think
that's great and, um, with theway I, I look at it, you, I
didn't build my company on myown.
It's always about peopleStanding on the shoulders of
giants, right, you know, nobodytakes your side at design school
and says this is how you managepeople, deal with HR, this is
how you deal with the accounts,or marketing, or whatever it is
(14:03):
right.
So I think the only thing I'vereally been good at is
understanding my weaknesses andpulling different people in.
So I'm surrounded by a team ofpeople that are fantastic
marketers, fantastic strategists, great with people, great
designers as well, and it'sallowed us, because of that sort
of lead from the back, empowerother people philosophy.
(14:24):
That's allowed the growth thatwe've got to recognize our
weaknesses and not be scaredthat somebody can come in with a
lot more knowledge and add tothe team.
So for me, that's what'sexciting.
As I say, you come preloadedwith many years of experience
and if we can tap into thatknowledge, then it absolutely
(14:46):
benefits everybody.
Yeah, great.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
So we're now embarking on a new stage, on a
new adventure.
I would really say I likealways the term adventure,
because we don't really knowwhere we're going, but we know
roughly the direction, what wewant to achieve, but where we'll
be in five years' time we don'tknow.
But we know we have the energyand the skills to make something
very nice out of it.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
My team hate me for describing us as pirates, but
I've always described ourorganization as a kind of a
merry bunch of pirates.
We can go in whatever directionwe want, make up our own rules,
but we do it as a team.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and I thinkthat's really important and I
say it's very much part of ourculture.
So, yes, the new adventure issuper exciting.
(15:31):
12, 24 months ahead, thecompanies are going to take a
little bit of time to ziptogether to new things.
It's exciting.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
Well, we'll see where it leads us.
I don't want to make it toolong, but I think it's good that
people hear and see us talkingtogether, because there's
obviously a lot of talk going onin the market, in the industry.
What are those two up to?
But we have been very goodfriends, I would say, over the
last couple of years and we'vealways respected and trusted
(16:00):
each other.
I think that was also at thebasis of this acquisition is
that we really respect eachother where we are in our
respective positions and what wehave achieved with our teams.
And I think in this case, Ithink one and one is going to be
much more than two.
Yeah, absolutely I look forwardto this ball.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Thank you we hope you enjoyed this episode and you've
gained some insight orinspiration that you can take
away or perhaps apply.
If you enjoyed this episode, itis've gained some insight or
inspiration that you can takeaway or perhaps apply.
If you enjoyed this episode, itis always appreciated if you
could take a moment to share thepodcast with your peers and
friends or leave a review onyour favorite podcast app.
Consider subscribing to thepodcast and our YouTube channel
(16:43):
to stay up to date with ourlatest content.
Do check out our onlineplatform as well at vldcommunity
.
If you would like more, why notgo back and listen to some of
our previous episodes and hearmore from our thought leaders?
Thanks for listening and wewill be back with more great
presentations or interviews verysoon.
Until next time.
Why Classon Lighting Design?
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Because you have a fantastic pedigree.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
You yourself come pre-loaded with a lot of
experience.
I think there's a lot ofsynergy between our practices,
beliefs in the way design shouldbe done and the benefits of
great lighting design.
So I think for us, as Nolte,there's a huge amount of benefit
in acquiring a company likeClasson.
What's really interesting forus?
We are a global organization.
We're now in eight offices,seven countries, but there's
(00:26):
also a kind of.
We respect the local cultures,obviously, but we have our own
global culture as well, andpulling you into that and
tapping into your knowledge isgoing to be exciting actually,
and so we're an organizationthat is based on knowledge
sharing and caring andcollaboration.
You can only facilitate furthergrowth in that.
(00:51):
That's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
That's what I'm concerned about.
Welcome back to the VirtualLighting Design Community
Podcast, a global platform thatempowers, inspires, educates and
connects the lighting designcommunity.
This podcast is brought to youby our premium supporters Aero
Hospitality Lighting, creativeLighting Asia, erco, the Signify
(01:15):
Lighting Academy and PhilipsLighting.
Today, we're excited to sharean insightful conversation
between two titans of thelighting design industry, martin
Klassen and Paul Nolte.
Recorded in Singapore at theend of November.
This engaging dialogue focuseson the recent acquisition of
Klassen Lighting Design byPaul's practice Nolte+.
Join us as Martin and Pauldiscuss their visions for the
(01:36):
future, the integration of theirteams and the unique
opportunities this mergerpresents.
Expect valuable insights intotheir collaborative approach,
the importance of knowledgesharing and how their shared
values will shape the evolutionof both companies.
Originally featured on Martin'spersonal brand website, light
Talk, it is available on theVirtual Lighting Design
Community Members site as avisual version, as well as on
(01:59):
our YouTube channel.
Visit vldcommunity to learnmore and tap intoa myriad of
interviews and presentations bylighting experts and industry
thought leaders.
Now, without further ado, let'sjump into the episode.
Enjoy.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Paul, here we are Partners in crime.
Now I thought it was maybe agood idea, now that you're here
in Singapore, that we have achat about how this all came
about.
I'm sure there's a lot ofpeople with questions, so my
first question to you is why?
Why glass and lighting design?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Because I want some more grey hair.
No, why glass and lightingdesign?
Because you have fantasticpedigree.
You know you've got youyourself.
Come preloaded with a lot ofexperience.
I think there's a lot of synergybetween our practices, beliefs
in the way design should be doneand the benefits of great
(02:52):
lighting design.
So I think for us, as Nolte,there's a huge amount of benefit
in acquiring a company likeKlassen because, as I say, it
brings in more experience.
You've got a fantastic team, sothat benefits our team.
It gives us additional resource, availability to additional
resource.
There's an existing portfolioof um, of life projects, and
(03:16):
there's a great historicportfolio as well.
So for us it's kind of you knowwhat's not to like um.
I think, uh, it dovetails verywell and at the same time, I
think we can bring a lot ofbenefit to kld.
You know, by you know byimplementing some of our
processes and um and so forth,hopefully we can help the team
(03:37):
here grow and evolve um and, asthe two companies eventually
sort of zip together, um you, Ithink this should be a really
good opportunity for the endresult being greater than the
sum of its parts.
For me it's an exciting thing.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
I will also explain why I, of course, because it's a
why for you, but it's also awhy for me, because obviously I
guess the biggest surprise formany people is that I'm already
70, yeah, so there's obviouslysome things going on in my mind
in terms of succession, future,etc.
And I have very loyal staff,some of them with me more than
(04:18):
17 years, so I wanted to alsofind a home for them, should I,
in the future, not be able tocontinue what I'm doing?
I'm not saying I'm going tostop doing what I'm doing.
I love what I'm doing, butobviously preparation for the
future is also key, I think,very important.
So that's why I started lookingaround and, if you remember,
(04:39):
the first time we spoke was morethan five years ago, before
COVID even spoke, was more thanfive years ago before COVID even
.
But I never wanted to join ormerge with an architectural firm
or an engineering firm.
I wanted to join with somebodywhich is like-minded in terms of
attitude, values etc.
And in that respect, I'vealways looked at you from far
(05:02):
away.
You have got a lot of businessacumen as well, which is
something that I somewhatsometimes lack, so in that
respect, you'll be very helpful,but the values that you have,
also in terms of work-lifebalance, are very, really
important.
We are very strong on that, alsowithin our team, and I saw that
also within your team, alsowithin our team, and I saw that
(05:28):
also within your team, and wethink very much alike in terms
of what lighting design is whatwe are supposed to bring to our
clients.
So that attracted me very muchto you and your company, your
team.
So when we started talking tome, it was sort of a no-brainer
that that would be a really nicecombination, of course, with
your experience and the way youhave managed to build your
company to where it is on theglobal stage at the moment.
(05:50):
I thought that was also anopportunity for my team to grow
further.
There's a lot of potential inmy team, but I think they need
leadership like you can providefor them to grow further.
So that was, for me, also amajor key motivator to continue
this discussion well, I'mpleased and flattered.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Thank you, um, I think you're right.
Like I said, it works both ways.
Um, we don't always get thework-life balance right.
We try, we try.
I'm a real believer that we'reonly as good as the people we
employ, absolutely, um, and wewant a great team, we want an
engaged team, we want anempowered team.
It's always been my philosophyto lead from the back rather
(06:31):
than the front, so I don't likeputting bottlenecks in place.
I like empowering the team.
I like designers who want totake ownership and
accountability of their projectwork, and I think what that has
allowed me and then my team todo is to create an environment
that is really encouraging andempowering for people to come
(06:52):
and work in, and I think that'sfantastic and we value that.
We appreciate our team a lot,um, so it makes it kind of an
enjoyable space and I hope yourteam you're sort of joining and
becoming part of the wider groupthat it enables them to do that
, because, ultimately, the moreengaged people are, the better
(07:13):
the quality of work that isproduced.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Absolutely, it's a fairly simple equation I can
already see from my team.
So I engaged them a bit earlierin the process because I wanted
this to be a smooth transition.
So it was not at the last minuteinforming them that we would go
and be acquired by you, but forthe last couple of months they
have known where we're going toand it was very much like a team
effort to make sure this works,because I wanted their mindset
(07:37):
also along the way to to gothrough this process of merging
two totally well, not totallydifferent but different
companies, different, um, uh,work environments in in a way.
So you could say I mean, youhave your backgrounds in the UK
and Dubai.
There's obviously an Asianculture in my company.
(07:59):
So engaging them in the processof merging our two companies
was very important to make itsmooth, and I can see the
enthusiasm right now.
Already they're really excited.
But no, but that's that's key,because I think that will make
the transition very smooth.
I think you already saw in thelast few days how excited they
(08:20):
are and they're really puttingtheir efforts in also to to meet
with your team and start toengage.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
I think I just think back to when I was a junior
designer and an intermediatedesigner.
What did I want out of life?
And apart from more salarybecause that's what everybody
wants I really wanted to feelownership of my project work.
I wanted to feel that my ideaswere being heard, that I got to
meet the client present and wereally try and do that with the
(08:51):
team.
And I think when you layer thaton top of a culture that is one
of sharing, you know we giveaway a lot of knowledge, we
encourage, uh, collaboration.
I think it makes it an excitingplace to learn, cut your teeth,
to come into the industry.
So I think everybody enjoys itas a result.
(09:11):
And, like I say, we're only asgood as the people we employ and
if we can make them as engagedas possible, make the process as
enjoyable as possible, thenactually there's no excuse to
not be doing fantastic work.
Absolutely and ultimately,we're hopefully here to be doing
fantastic work, providingfantastic service and and making
it enjoyable.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, well, that's exactly it.
So that's also the main reasonwhy our negotiations, if I may
say that way, actually wentfairly smooth.
We had a few little fights hereand there, but overall, I think
our goal was to make this work.
Yeah, absolutely.
I saw that from this one, fromyou also the enthusiasm and the
will to make it work, and for mealso, I didn't want to put up
(09:55):
too many barriers to make thiswork, so I'm really happy.
I'm also very grateful that youappreciate what we can offer
you, and I'm very happy for myteam also to be part of yours.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Sure, I mean look, this was never a one-way street,
it's synergistic.
I think we can bring a lot.
You guys can bring a lot to usas well.
So for us it's win-win.
The negotiations were, let's behonest, there are probably only
half a dozen times in theentire industry where another
lighting practice has acquired alighting practice.
(10:29):
No, exactly, it's quite unique.
Actually, it's my first time.
So we're making it up as we goalong, but it has been very
smooth and very enjoyable.
I think it is the beginning ofthe beginning.
That's what's really exciting.
I think we don't lose track ofthe fact that we're lighting
designers, we love light, we'repassionate about light.
(10:51):
Yeah, we want to educate andgive away lots of knowledge
about light.
I know that's a very personalthing to you as well absolutely
all those sort of um, yeah, uh,things that you have going on.
So for us, I think it's superexciting there's there's so much
sort of synergy between the two, the two companies.
Um, the next 12 months, 24months, for me, are really
(11:15):
exciting.
It's the beginning of thebeginning, as I say, and I'm
looking forward to workingtogether.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
I'm also very much looking forward to that and I
see lots of opportunities whereI can share my knowledge, my
experience.
Obviously, you once told methat I would be the granddad of
the company, which I sort oflike as a title.
I'm a granddad in real life andit's really enjoyable to you
know, share your experience withthe new generation and, I think
(11:46):
, with your team, which alsoseems super enthusiastic and,
you know, engaged.
I think I will have a fun timein sharing my knowledge and
helping.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
For sure, and I think we're going to tap into that
Absolutely.
What's really interesting forus?
We are we're a globalorganization.
You know we're now in eightoffices or seven countries, but
there's also a kind of a.
We respect the local cultures,obviously but, we have our own
global culture as well, andpulling you into that and
(12:19):
tapping into your knowledge isgoing to be exciting, actually,
and so we're an organizationthat is based on knowledge
sharing and caring andcollaboration, and you can only
facilitate further growth.
Yeah, in that.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
yeah, that's, that's fantastic as far as I'm
concerned I'm I'm very excitedand, um, I still have to find my
way around it, because we arevery much a small little family
and we were all doing thingstogether.
Now we're getting in a muchmore structured and organized
environment, which I kind oflove because, first of all, I
feel a bit relieved because youcan take care of that now, but
(12:59):
which will free up time for meto really focus on that
knowledge sharing and mentoringwhich I'm really looking forward
to doing with the team as it isnow your team, and I think
there's a lot for us ahead wherewe can use our combined
experiences and expertise andskills to grow this company.
(13:20):
When I say this company, I'malready talking like our company
.
This is how I feel, even thoughI need to still let go of my
control desire.
Sometimes it's collaborative,yeah, yeah, but you will see
quite quickly that, um, you willfind my energy redirected where
it will need to go.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
uh, in terms of the new setup look, I, I think
that's great and, um, with theway I, I look at it, you, I
didn't build my company on myown.
It's always about peopleStanding on the shoulders of
giants, right, you know, nobodytakes your side at design school
and says this is how you managepeople, deal with HR, this is
how you deal with the accounts,or marketing, or whatever it is
(14:03):
right.
So I think the only thing I'vereally been good at is
understanding my weaknesses andpulling different people in.
So I'm surrounded by a team ofpeople that are fantastic
marketers, fantastic strategists, great with people, great
designers as well, and it'sallowed us, because of that sort
of lead from the back, empowerother people philosophy.
(14:24):
That's allowed the growth thatwe've got to recognize our
weaknesses and not be scaredthat somebody can come in with a
lot more knowledge and add tothe team.
So for me, that's what'sexciting.
As I say, you come preloadedwith many years of experience
and if we can tap into thatknowledge, then it absolutely
(14:46):
benefits everybody.
Yeah, great.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
So we're now embarking on a new stage, on a
new adventure.
I would really say I likealways the term adventure,
because we don't really knowwhere we're going, but we know
roughly the direction, what wewant to achieve, but where we'll
be in five years' time we don'tknow.
But we know we have the energyand the skills to make something
very nice out of it.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
My team hate me for describing us as pirates, but
I've always described ourorganization as a kind of a
merry bunch of pirates.
We can go in whatever directionwe want, make up our own rules,
but we do it as a team.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and I thinkthat's really important and I
say it's very much part of ourculture.
So, yes, the new adventure issuper exciting.
(15:31):
12, 24 months ahead, thecompanies are going to take a
little bit of time to ziptogether to new things.
It's exciting.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
Well, we'll see where it leads us.
I don't want to make it toolong, but I think it's good that
people hear and see us talkingtogether, because there's
obviously a lot of talk going onin the market, in the industry.
What are those two up to?
But we have been very goodfriends, I would say, over the
last couple of years and we'vealways respected and trusted
(16:00):
each other.
I think that was also at thebasis of this acquisition is
that we really respect eachother where we are in our
respective positions and what wehave achieved with our teams.
And I think in this case, Ithink one and one is going to be
much more than two.
Yeah, absolutely I look forwardto this ball.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Thank you we hope you enjoyed this episode and you've
gained some insight orinspiration that you can take
away or perhaps apply.
If you enjoyed this episode, itis've gained some insight or
inspiration that you can takeaway or perhaps apply.
If you enjoyed this episode, itis always appreciated if you
could take a moment to share thepodcast with your peers and
friends or leave a review onyour favorite podcast app.
Consider subscribing to thepodcast and our YouTube channel
(16:43):
to stay up to date with ourlatest content.
Do check out our onlineplatform as well at vldcommunity
.
If you would like more, why notgo back and listen to some of
our previous episodes and hearmore from our thought leaders?
Thanks for listening and wewill be back with more great
presentations or interviews verysoon.
Until next time.
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