4_DiscoverBenelux_Issue17_May_2015_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 28/04/2015 13:13 Page 59
Discover Benelux & France | Business | Divitel
vision; the world of digital television had yet to be developed. It took more time than I hoped for the world to get the same view on digital television.” Kornmann persisted and successfully started Divitel almost 20 years ago.
An overview of Divitel - Divitel was established in 1996 and provides television solutions for any business scenario. - It was the first Dutch company to realise a digital video connection. - Divitel created the interactive video connections for the Big Brother television programme.
One of the strengths is that the company does not go along with hypes. Because of this, Divitel is able to grow and expand calmly but steadily. Regardless of this, at this moment they are one of the fastest growing companies in Europe. Kornmann: “In 2008 we launched a growth scenario, exactly when the worldwide economic crisis hit us. We have carefully thought about it and implemented it with precision. Don’t do anything too fast, you have to grow steady.”
- Creators of: liveTV on your iPad, (un)managed television platforms and advanced, multiscreen video solutions. - Its customers include ziggo (Netherlands), zDF (Germany) and Telesur (Suriname). - Nominated for innovative television platforms; MKB Innovatie Top 100 and won the FD Gazellen Award twice.
Business of knowledge To become the best video solutions provider of Europe, Kornmann believes one has to be able to take good care of his employees. “Some people think it’s something extraordinary and exceptional, but to me it is really important to take care of my employees. We are a business of knowledge. I need their brains, so they have to feel good about their work and life.” Divitel has no middle management, the company therefore has a flat corporate structure to make things easier and more humane. “We have a Human Development Department, instead of a Human Resources Department. Most of our workers are highly educated, but foremost ambitious people,” says Kornmann. “We want to provide the best circumstances for them to work. Let them grow and the company grows. ”
Centre of Excellence for New Media Technologies In search for new top talents, and to accelerate the developments of advanced expertise, Divitel became the initiator and driving force for the Centre of Excellence; a place where students or young professionals get a chance to prove themselves as the next best thing, and at the same time create new solutions. The concept, supported by VNO-NCW (the Dutch foremost employers’ organisation), assumes
broad co-operation, not only with the world of teaching and education, but with wellestablished international businesses as well. Kornmann: “The centre organises events such as hackathons. Which are perfect opportunities for people to prove to us that we need them. It is a great chance for young people to go international at the beginning of their career.” The programme is extra special because the initiative did not come from governmental or educational circles, as most similar programmes are. Kornmann: “The goal of the initiative is to accelerate the development of advanced expertise by sharing knowledge. A lesson learned from Silicon Valley: sharing knowledge means innovation and innovation leads to economic growth.”
The Engineers behind the Screen Divitel is a high-tech knowledge company that enables digital, interactive television in the Netherlands and far abroad. Divitel delivers services and systems to cable companies, internet providers, radio and television broadcasters and the hospitality industry. Without Divitel there is no on-thespot video, which makes them the geniuses behind the screen. www.divitel.com
Issue 17 | May 2015 | 59