Inger De Volder talks about her career path and her decision to join ERA Group in 2024.
Inger De Volder is a business woman with 20+ years of experience in outsourcing and managed services. Over her career she held various management functions at Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, Dimension Data and iGrafx. In 2024 she decided to start a new chapter in her professional life and become a partner at ERA Group.
Why did you choose ERA Group?
After 20 years as an employee in large corporations, I was seeking a new challenge. I did have the ambition to start my own business, but the entrepreneurial adventure is not always a solo journey. You want to operate in a broader ecosystem with like-minded people.
How did you first come into ?
I was introduced to ERA Group through a connection in my network and was immediately intrigued by their business model. The concept of working on a success fee basis, where you only get paid when you deliver savings to your customers, immediately resonated with me. After talking to several ERA partners and going through the onboarding process, I was sure this was the right move for me.
What were your first impressions of the ERA Group network?
It was immediately clear to me that this is a network of very experienced people who are genuine experts in their field. Everyone is passionate about what they do and is very committed to delivering results for their customers. It is also a very international network and when you need expertise on a topic where you don't have the knowledge in your direct team, you can always reach out to colleagues in the network for help.
In which areas are you active as an ERA Group partner?
Based on my background, I focus on IT & technology, outsourcing and managed services. This is an area where I have deep expertise and where I know there are often significant savings opportunities for companies, both in terms of cost reduction and quality improvement.
How do you approach a new assignment for a client?
Every assignment starts with an in-depth analysis of the client's current spend and contracts. This gives us a clear picture of where the opportunities lie and how we can generate the maximum savings. I always work in close collaboration with the client to ensure that we are aligned on the objectives and the approach. This is important, as you want to deliver savings that are sustainable and have a lasting impact on the client's bottom line.
What do you find most rewarding about your work as an ERA Group partner?
The most rewarding part is when you can show a client that you have delivered significant savings that will have a positive impact on their business. It is very satisfying to see the result of your work and to know that you have made a real difference. It is also very rewarding to work with such a diverse range of clients and to be constantly learning about different industries and business models.
