The European Business Review

Q It’s a great honour to meet you, Ms Prins. Thank you for your time. Could we begin with what drives you as a CEO? A What gets me up in the morning is my belief that we can still make a positive change to this world. I believe that this can be done with vision, collaboration and setting the right priorities at every level in society, and as individuals, communities, cities, industries and governments. In the end, I feel that it is optimism that makes the difference. The satisfaction and joy of being able to transform, together with my colleagues, customers and business partners, by planting the seeds of the new, and realise the resulting changes. And, of course, this goes hand in hand with challenges and frustration. What also motivates…

Priva is a high-tech company that develops hardware, software and data-services in the field of climate control, energy saving and optimal reuse of water. With almost 500 colleagues, 16 local offices in 13 countries and over 450 international installation partners Priva delivers sustainable solutions and services in more than 100 countries. With its activities in Horticulture, Building Automation and Indoor Growing, Priva wants to contribute to the cities of the future: where people can enjoy a healthy working and living environment and have access to safe and nutritious food.…

Meiny Prins is CEO and co-owner of Priva. She is dedicated to promoting business sustainability and the international development of sustainable solutions in the horticultural and construction sectors. She is a recognized reference in this field. With her clear and inspiring message on sustainability, she is able to bridge the gap between businesses, governments and other sectors of society. In 2014, Meiny Prins created the “Sustainable Urban Delta” initiative. This initiative is based on the intrinsic quality of people who know how to deal with problems in an integral way. By adopting an integral perspective, it is clear that the close relations between the city and the "green belt" will create new relations at a social, ecological and economic level. This will ensure social cohesion, an ecological environment, job opportunities and…

2006 The company is founded 2008 Launch of the first online shop, www.koopgoedkoop.nl 2012 The opening of vidaXL's distribution centre and offices in Venray, the Netherlands 2013 The launch of vidaXL's own-brand products 2015 Expanding the selling market to over 30 countries worldwide 2017 The "vidaXL dropshipping" program is launched. In the same year, the biggest distribution centre in the Netherlands was built by vidaXL 2018 Headquarters and distribution centre relocate to the Dutch city of Venlo 2019 vidaXL started manufacturing its own products 2020 vidaXL becomes the official shirt sponsor of the Dutch premier league football club, VVV Venlo 2021 "dropshippingXL" replaces "vidaXL dropshipping." A new warehouse is opened in Poland.…

VidaXL was founded in 2006 and since then the business took off remarkably well. The brand is popular for its eclectic and affordable selection of home and garden furniture, toys, sporting goods, and baby products, among other items. Proudly based in Venlo, in the south of the Netherlands, today vidaXL, and its dropshipping platform, dropshippingXL, operates in 32 countries across the globe, including the US, the UK, and Australia. LIVE IT UP, FOR LESS Enjoy more, without spending a fortune. The concept behind vidaXL is to provide online shoppers with the biggest assortment of items at the best possible price. Customers of the brand love the amazing value for money they get on trending and fashionable products. Buyers can style their first flat, enjoy a new outdoor sport, refurbish their homes, spoil the kids,…

A TYPICAL STORY Jane is a manager at a large telecom company. Three months ago, she was promoted to head up a regional service center. As part of her development plan to take on this more challenging role, her manager has enrolled her in the organization’s mid-level manager training program. Jane is a believer in personal development, so she is pleased that she will be provided with training. Her motivation is high, but it’s unclear to her exactly how this training will support her new role; perhaps that will become clear later, she thinks. Jane attends the training program and thoroughly enjoys it; the faculty is both entertaining and inspirational. She learns a lot. Back at work, though, her new role is consuming a lot of time and energy. Jane struggles…