Private equity investors routinely get a bad press – but how justified are claims that the management buyouts (and buy-ins) they engineer give the green light to a series of predictable decisions that stamp out both the representation and interests of employees? For trade unions, the questions typically raised when private equity buyouts take place tend to focus on how fast, blatant or circuitous the transition, and rarely on whether damaging changes in industrial relations will actually be avoided.
Posted on Monday, July 25, 2011
Championing a customer-intimate philosophy – so that business strategies are aligned with customers, individually and collectively – is a laudable goal. But customer intimacy is enhanced when companies take steps to ensure that their people don’t just ‘talk the talk’ but also ‘walk the walk’.
Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
There is no doubt the Belgian banking industry is under fire. The recent spate of government bailouts, takeovers and closures has made consumers anxious. At the same time, consumers continue to voice their dissatisfaction and distrust. This report is the 2010 edition of an annual study on the retail banking industry in Belgium carried out by Deloitte and the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School. This study analyses customer loyalty, satisfaction and trust towards the retail banking industry.
Posted on Monday, February 28, 2011
One of the most critical challenges facing entrepreneurial companies expanding abroad may also be one of the most subtle: fitting in. A failure to win acceptance both internationally but also with a parent company at home can slam the door on capital, technology, skilled labour and, above all, customers. When it comes to legitimacy, Flemish companies from Belgium may be at an advantage over rivals from larger countries with historical baggage such as the US and Germany that enter markets wagging their fingers.
Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011
This 2010 edition of the Belgium’s Annual Report on United States Direct Investment in Belgium examines the structure and evolution of the activities of US-owned affiliates operating in Belgium. In addition, the report reviews major trends in the level of US direct investment in Belgium as well as in global direct investment flows. This report is a joint effort by the American Chamber of Commerce and Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School.
Posted on Monday, January 31, 2011
Not every company will survive the crisis. But most will. And the future success of these companies will be influenced by the decisions and actions taken during the crisis. Those who haven't prepared may survive the recession only to find themselves overtaken by their competitors as the economy gets back to normal. What you do during the crisis determines your position when it's over. Vlerick and the performance factory have prepared 34 lessons learnt from the crisis and provide you with 20 tips to prepare for recovery!
Posted on Friday, January 28, 2011