An interview with Fred Cornelissen IF YOU WERE A PLANT, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? “A cactus, maybe? Spiny on the outside, soft on the inside. I expect people to do their work properly, but the social aspect is just as important to me. So, I keep team spirit high and together we celebrate our successes.” WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT 2018? “Due to planning issues, we often had to deal with huge quantities of plants in a short space of time. Before, this used to lead to frustrations on a personal level, but this year we kept it professional. Everyone could look each other straight in the eyes and the customer was satisfied. We were completely exhausted by the time we went on holiday, but we were proud of what we had accomplished together.” HOW DO YOU APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED IN THE NEVI PROCUREMENT PROGRAMME? “When I started as a buyer at Royal Lemkes, we often sourced plants based on a trading relationship with growers. Thanks to NEVI, I have learned to apply supplier management to create as much value in the supply chain as possible together with growers. It is precisely because I can continue to develop at Royal Lemkes that I am still here, in the right place.” HOW DO YOU GROW ‘TOGETHER’? “I tend to be a control freak and have had to learn to let go. I now aim to connect our customers directly to my team members. After all, they have more specific product knowledge than I do. I like that some team members take the initiative to do things that are not in their job description. They must feel confident to do it their own way. If something goes wrong, we solve it together.” 63
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