The Digital Comfort Factory applies AI to unravel the complexity of data to empower your business. Our mission is to build bridges between people and information. This results in enhanced digital comfort which is crucial for the success of every organization. Our AI-driven foundation rests on the pillars of innovation and dedication. We don’t just craft solutions; we revolutionize processes. The synergy of cutting-edge technology and a deep-rooted understanding of human needs propels us to create tools that aren’t just advanced but are intuitive, efficient, and indispensable.

Together with Process Delight we are providing innovative AI driven solutions for Document & Process Management and infusing the Ishtar365 platform with AI driven decision making tools. This allows businesses of all sizes to reduce repetitive tasks, improve customer satisfaction and discover new business opportunities.

I am a passionate AI entrepreneur with an extensive technological background in security, workplace, data, AI, ERP, and CRM, and experience working with both major technology companies (Microsoft, Salesforce) as well as Belgian SMEs (Kappa Data, Spikes). I focus on advising Belgian companies on the ethical, secure, and sustainable implementation of AI. I utilize both commercial AI applications and the raw "engines" of AI (Large Language Models) for privacy-sensitive situations where public solutions may fall short. My mission is to help companies succeed with AI while taking into account ethics, safety, and sustainability. I work closely with clients to develop customized solutions that reflect their specific needs and contribute to the success of Belgian businesses in the era of AI.

Currently fully enjoying developing, enabling and growing our Indirect Partners in the regions, and contributing to both their and our stellar growth ambitions. In addition, contributing to the creation of Talent in the regions, as well as initiating and contributing to volunteering initiatives on all things "Mother Earth".

Helping Enterprise companies applying Application Innovation as part of their digital transformation journey to bring new applications faster to market, at a lower cost. Envisioning companies to move from Monolithic Application Architectures to a Cloud-Native approach in a phased approach.

Volunteering

Transforming our channel partners and coaching our sales people to be prepared for the next industrial (r)evolution. Skills acquired include executive presence, objection handling, and global challenging. Cross-group collaboration & handling complex sales mechanics.

Enabling and growing visionary existing and future market leaders in Data & AI.Skills acquired include motivation of internal teams, external teams and customers. Business development avant la lettre.

Having fun in the Intelligent Edge (Device Sales business unit) within Microsoft for the Benelux region. Contributing to our Commercial Device growth by piloting DaaS & EDU Partner Marketing initiatives. Further challenging and transforming our customers and partners to Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise. Touching IoT and finding cross-group opportunities with our Azure and O365 teams. Skills acquired include Modern Marketing, managing considerable marketing budgets, people management and cross-country revenue and forecast accountability.

Responsible for guiding Microsoft's Distribution partners and resellers through the Digital Transformation while obtaining revenue objectives (perform while you transform principle).Key accomplishments in this period include 3 year consecutive revenue achievement through efficient thru partner marketing, growing the digital distribution business significantly, while launching Windows Windows 10 through our channel partners in the local market, developing & launching of a local Small Hybrid Server (w/ Azure) offering, ...

As distribution manager for EMEA, I was responsible for extending the distribution approach and strategy I developed in Iberia to the EMEA region (with focus on Iberia/Nordics & Dubai).Key accomplishments:- Quota achievement quarter by quarter in the entire period through Distribution management and thru partner marketing- Negotiated and Signed the first pan-European Distribution Agreement with one of the worlds largest distributors in Networking & Security- Successfully assigned and developed local channel partners in the Middle East, creating a first solid footprint in the region.Key skills developed:- International Communication & Negotiation skills on various levels, also outside Europe- Cross-Region revenue accountability & Marketing responsability- Further developed skills in the field of channel strategy, partner management and international marketing strategy

VASCO is a global leader in trusted security with two-factor authentication, transaction data signing, document e-signature and identity management solutions designed for all businesses and government agencies. As Distribution and Channel Manager for Italy Spain and Portugal I was responsible for the full revenue quota in the region.Key accomplishments:- Quarterly & yearly quota attainment in the midst of a painful crisis in the region- Successfully helped our Portuguese partners in finding new opportunities by extending their business into offshore regions (Brasil, Africa)- Closed various deals with the top ten enterprises in Spain, Italy PortugalKey skills acquired in this period:- First experience in international partner management- First experience with sales with top-10 partners/customers of the different countries- Further developed customer-centric approach to sales and becoming trusted advisor of both end customers as well as channel partners- Further developed growth mindset & partner strategy skills in transformational times (referring to the crisis in Spain, Italy, Portugal in that period)

Kappa Data is a leading distributor in Networking & Security Solutions in Benelux & Poland.As the manager of the Product & Marketing team, I was responsible for a small team of 3 people responsible for vendor management, channel marketing & solution building. Key accomplishments in this period include:- Succeeded in putting Product Marketing & Marketing at the heart of the company, rather than a "necessary pain"- Successfully coached the team to contribute to the companies triple digit growth in the same period by creating solid marketing plans, accurate budget management and best in class marketing executionKey skills acquired in this period:- First people management experience- First experience with P&L management, company business planning- Further developed Marketing skills, Product Marketing skills, Channel & Direct sales skills- Further developed experience in Change Management (internal/external) and transformationRelevant trainings followed in this period:- Product & Marketing Management (4d course)

Kappa Data is a leading distributor in Networking & Security Solutions in Benelux & Poland.As Technology Manager I was responsible to transform the product and customer portfolio from broad distribution (Consumer/2B2) into a solid security & networking solution B2B portfolio, enabling Kappa Data to enter in higher market segments.Key accomplishments include:- Succesfully transformed the portfolio - brought in various new security vendors (Juniper Networks, Trend Micro, Lancom Systems, Barracuda Networks) - Coached the Marketing Manager into developing a new Marketing Strategy to inform the existing partner base of this transformation and enable Kappa Data to enter new partner/end customer segmentsKey skills acquired in this period:- First experience with transformation & change management- First experience with large end customer project management (500k+)- First experience with marketing & product management- Further grew experience with multinational accounts, as well as channel management and direct sales

Cobion was a provider of E-mail & Web filtering solutions and was later acquired by ISS, which was then acquired by IBM in 2004.As Regional Manager I was responsible for channel development and pipeline management in Benelux.Key Accomplishments:- Designed Distribution channel strategy & execution in Benelux- Grew partner base to 50 active resellers/month in less than six months- 8 Quarters in a row quota attainment (until acquisition)Key skills acquired in this period:- first experience with multinational accounts- further development of channel strategy & management skills as well as direct sales skills (+50k projects)

Lancom Systems is a German providor of Wireless & Networking Solutions and was a spin-off of ELSA Gmbh where I grew my first work experience.As Channel Manager I was responsible for expanding the partner base in the Benelux.Key accomplishments:- Successfully assigned three Distribution Partners and over 50 monthly active resellers in the mentioned period. Grew the business from near to zero to a solid runrate channel business - In the same period I closed various 50k+ deals with end-customers Key learnings in this period- first experience in channel management- first experience in project management & direct sales (10k+ project sales)

First work experience, ended abruptly when ELSA Gmbh went Bankrupt in 2002.