Strategie challenges confront RI in brief contents Rabobank Getting acquainted International What's NewS in the network hat'sNewS Monthly newsletter for Rabobank International fQf j flt€ YD QI US6 Otlly Issue 6 June 1999 As the dedicated strategie review team considers options relating to our future strategy and sourees of growth, Maarten Hulshoff, the new CEO of Rabobank International (RI), has moved swiftly to implement immediate short term measures to respond to a serious backlog in RI's budgeted performance targets. Initial measures unveiled in recent weeks inelude a headcount freeze for the JMini-Luroland comprised of London, Utrecht, and head office, together with a six-month moratorium on new business initiatives and a 20 percent cut in travel and entertainment expenditures. Meeting with the entire staffs at Utrecht and in London, Hulshoff has also presented a frank assessment of the competitive realities that prevail in the global financial services industry - a sector marked by quickening consolidation - and has sketched out the strategie challenges that confront RI. We need to reach a level of efficiency that enables all of us to spend as much time as possible out with the customer, he says. The goal is to trans- form RI into 'one of the most entre- preneurial' of banks. To reach this goal, Hulshoff says, RI will have to moderate its spending pattern and engineer a far- reaching improvement in management information systems. We must continue our evolution front the Dutch consensual tradition towards the Anglo-Saxon model of accountability, and also improve the procedures of corporate governance. 'There is a shared perception that some- thing needs to be done: that we need to focus our strategy, clarify our immediate objectives, and make decisions. These challenges are now being addressed.' Furtber developments on pages 3-4. Hulshoff on defining our objectives itelected employees new to Rabobank International were treated to a real insiders view of the organization in a special 'Introductory Week' meeting orga- nized by network deve- lopment and support, end of May. The 15 participants, nominated trom various offices around the world, spent the first few days in Utrecht before flying to London for the conclu- sion of the meeting. Following introductions at head office in the Netherlands on subjects like structure, cliënt focus strategy, fcprporate banking and head office functions, came a special visit to member bank Gouderak including presentations by their Fltr - Josphine Chiu, Anjd Pater, Emily Sun, Jörg Hoermann, Chris van Helleputte, Chan Kwang Jong, Geert Berben, Wandy Riady, Damian Olech, Magda Straczynska, Lynn Ng, Mari Toda, Candan Eksioglu, Heitor Portugal, Mauricio Rojas, Cem Mengi staff and being hosted further by two clients. 'This visit provided our participants with grounds for comparison between RI and a member bank, and provided insight into the roots of the Rabobank organization,' said Anja Pater, meeting organizer. 'We believe this completed the picture of the bank as a coope- rative institution for the new staff, which was the original goal of the meeting.' Partici pants went to London the second part of the week, where the agen da included presenta tions from corporate finanee and global financial markets as well as a networking luncheon. Introductory week, held for the first time this year, has traditionally been offered twice a year in order that new staff 'become acquainted with Rabobank and motivated by the possibilities our specific knowledge-driven network has to offer,' explained Pater. Hard times ahead - devising solutions 3-4 Sustainable energy - wind sector a breeze 5 Knowledge tools - inputing expertise 6-7 Country profile - Australian update 8-9 Centenary projects - ongoing commitment 10-11 Talking heads -Alain Younes speaks out 12

Rabobank Bronnenarchief

blad 'What's news' (EN) | 1999 | | pagina 1