INTRODUCTION
Dear colleagues,
Organigram
In this regular feature
The Word looks at
potential scenarios
for K I's future.
>4-7
Client focus
The pursuit of 'proac-
tive partnerships' with
clients niay be the
current buzz, but it
can be a reality.
>21-2. ic
The past year bas been a period of
stabilization for Rabobank Interna
tional. Our aim as the Managing
Board bas been to give you the oppor-
tunity to perform successfully in a
stable environmentwith no distrac-
tions. In this period, we have pursued
successfully a number of goals. One is
the consolidation ofRl into a strong
performer within the Rabobank
Group. This bas been achieved by us
all through our commitment to our
business, our customers, and through
greater interaction between our
specialist disciplines. Another is the
reduction ofcosts. The results, both
financial and in terms of our busi
ness, show how productive this period
has been. We have reached a stage in
our development where Rl does what
it is supposed to do.
By reaching that stage, we are now in
a position to look to the future front a
firnt base. The vision we have for Rl
is explained in this brand-new publi-
cation, The Word. Our aim with The
Word is to create a platform for the
communication of ideas and con-
cepts, including best practice, and
strategie and organizational issues. It
will also act as a means of providing
you with information on the
Rabobank Group itself, and RI's role
within the larger organization.
You have in your hands a so-called
'zero' issue. Like Rl itself, the publi-
cation is a 'work in progress'. We
need your input and cooperation to
help us meet our mutual communica
tion goals of transparency, clarity and
added value as we pursue togetber the
ongoing evolution of Rl into a
mature, indispensable part of the
Rabobank Group.
Rik van Slingelandt
Chairman, Rl Managing Board
The Word I 3
