Entrepreneurs today are inundated with advice. Business strategists and consultants are tripping over one another, while business podcasts and books are popping up like mushrooms. Yet many entrepreneurs continue to grapple with the same questions: Where do we want to go? And what should we really focus on tomorrow?
That analysis also showed that Jan Boudrez, strategy partner at Connexi. Throughout his long career, he has supported and guided numerous companies. In his current role at Connexi, a sister company of Titeca pro accountants & experts, he helps entrepreneurs get moving: “Many entrepreneurs work hard—really hard, in fact. But being busy isn’t the same as making progress.”
The pitfall many entrepreneurs face
“Companies often find themselves caught between two extremes,” says Jan. “Either they guzzle operational challenges all your time. Staffing issues, negotiations with clients, administrative tasks, … The entire organization looks to you to solve even the smallest problem.”
“Either a lot of energy is put into writing ‘the overarching strategy’, without any concrete follow-up. And what good is a vague strategy like that? I don’t believe in it. A strategy has to be clear and focused, and it has to be supported by your core team and organization. Otherwise, it’s just a dead letter, and nothing will change.”
First, know where you want to go
“Many entrepreneurs are constantly focused on what’s urgent. With Connexi, we take a step back and look at what’s truly important. This starts with a fundamental question: Where does your company need to be in three years to remain relevant or become relevant? ”And what choices do we need to make to achieve that? Because choosing is winning!"
“Based on that vision for the future, we work together to identify the success factors that serve as the foundation for setting specific goals and actions.”
Growth is often not the real problem
Many entrepreneurs think they need to grow, but the real challenge lies elsewhere: “You need to build an organization that will continue to function even without you.”
“A while back, I worked with the owner of a fast-growing transportation company. He wanted to sell his business eventually, but it revolved almost entirely around him. Together, we set up specific projects focused on organization and further growth. Not because the company needed more structure, but because it needed more autonomy, so it could become less dependent on a single person.”
"Many entrepreneurs are constantly focused on what’s urgent. With Connexi, we take a step back and look at what’s truly important.
Jan Boudrez - Connexi
A strategic wingman
Behind every business is an entrepreneur—someone who has to make decisions, bears responsibility, and sometimes can’t see the forest for the trees. That’s exactly why Connexi positions itself as strategic wingman, in consultation with the business owner.
“Not to take over everything, but to help set the direction, ask critical questions, and bring in the right expertise at the right time,” Jan continues. “The complementary nature of the experts” expertise creates broad support for entrepreneurs and their businesses.”
You don't have to do it alone
Entrepreneurship is still about looking ahead and growing, letting go, and adapting. “No one knows a business better than the entrepreneur himself. But that doesn’t mean you have to find all the answers on your own.”
“Are you mainly focused on what’s urgent, but not getting around to what’s truly important? Are you looking for guidance in these difficult and complex times? Does your business revolve more around you than you’d actually like? Then, first and foremost, you need a sounding board that asks the right questions. Only then can you truly move forward.”
