Interview with Lex Lindeman, Managing Director of Human Resources Boosters for Africa
“We work on a ‘no result-no pay’ basis”
NABC keeps on attracting businesses and companies to join the network. Our featured member is Lex Lindeman, Managing Partner, Human Resources Boosters.  he tells about his company.We primarily provide short and high impact learning interventions aimed mainly at developing managers and leaders in Africa. On request, we provide longer term and

” We primarily provide short and high impact learning interventions aimed mainly at developing managers and leaders in Africa. On request, we provide longer term and follow-up interventions. We also organize sales and marketing workshops for public and private organizations. Apart from these programs, we are regularly asked to coach management teams and their subordinates.

Why HR Boosters?
We have built a reputation and gained valuable experience helping companies in developing markets in Africa. Our partner consultants are experienced professionals who know the markets, the culture and the ground conditions, having lived and worked in Africa. In the 21 African countries where we have operated, it has been our goal to be culturally sensitive, to understand, coach and act depending on the different cultures we are dealing with.

Although we work internationally, our programs have been specifically developed and geared towards these African markets. We call them leadership Accelerator Workshops.

We discuss the various objectives with the local hierarchy and we work together to transform these objectives into clear and achievable development targets, i.e. competencies. HRBoosters gives you the assurance of tangible success. Depending on the specific project, after 2 or 3 months a joint evaluation will be conducted together with the client. If the expected outcomes are not met and the short term results are not measurable, the client will not be invoiced for this intervention. We work on a ‘no result-no pay’ basis.

What can companies expect from these accelerator workshops?

Our approach is aimed more at developing and enriching competencies than knowledge; for the client, it is more important what the participants do different after an intervention than what they think different. During the short 3 to 4 days workshops, the participants will be ‘confronted’ with 10 to 15 directly applicable tools.

Our interventions/workshops have the same character; they are interactive and we challenge our participants to deliver whilst learning. We don’t stand in front of our target group and just use PowerPoint presentations.We facilitate exchanges between the participants and make them practice and work on improving their competencies. In the workshops, we use their real life situations and issues. The participants and their superiors receive a global program; we don’t stick to a strict

In the workshops, we use their real life situations and issues. The participants and their superiors receive a global program; we don’t stick to a strict timetable. We think it is more important for the participants to learn than for the facilitator to work to an agenda. We adapt our facilitation to the demand, for example, if we have to go slower or faster and give more attention to an important issue that surfaces or if we find it necessary to concentrate more on particular competencies, we do so.We also provide a very important tool which is to make all the materials used and gathered during the workshop, including pictures, etc. available on the member section of the HRBoosters website.

We adapt our facilitation to the demand, for example, if we have to go slower or faster and give more attention to an important issue that surfaces or if we find it necessary to concentrate more on particular competencies, we do so.We also provide a very important tool which is to make all the materials used and gathered during the workshop, including pictures, etc. available on the member section of the HRBoosters website. This enables the participants to refresh their memory of what they learned and reread the tutorials.

What is the main reason you joined the NABC? What do you hope to obtain from the membership?
To tap into and make the best use of the vast opportunities of being able to connect and have access to a dedicated network thereby increasing our potential client base is the most important reason. Being in contact with other members, sharing knowledge and exchanging information with people with the same passion for doing business in Africa is very enriching for us.

What is your vision to the development of Africa?
Africa is rich in resources. For example, crude oil, diamonds and a vast range of raw materials. We believe that in the future Africa MUST play a role in processing these raw materials themselves instead of exporting it across the globe and re-importing the finished goods made initially from African raw materials.To achieve this, to process raw materials, Africa needs more capable and qualified personnel.

Right now, there is a devastating “brain-drain”. Highly educated African professionals leave the continent as there is little demand for their knowledge and services. Modern manufacturing need their skills and knowledge to develop Africa. The migration of these valuable professionals must be stopped.

A structure must be put into place and the possibilities should be provided to develop and retain talent; to woo back those professionals who left by making Africa interesting and attractive for Africans to stay and return.It is certain that Africa will experience growth and develop in the next ten years; look at the example of the pace of growth of mobile phone networks and coverage. Efficient infrastructure, systems and processes should be put in place.

Inspired leadership and employees are an absolute necessity. The investment in infrastructure and communication networks is primordial. In order to accelerate growth Africa must encourage increased entrepreneurial initiatives and trade and attract increased foreign investment.

Where do you see yourself, HR Boosters and Africa in 10 years?
We would like to inspire Africans to be proud to be African!
We see ourselves partnering in the growth and development of the African continent by helping make Africa self-sufficient in the world market. We believe that well trained, professional and competent leaders and workforce are the key for success and sustained development!