"IT Person of the Year" nominee Lode Peeters: "IT means many things, and limitless learning is definitely part of it."

What does Tobania do?

As a Belgian leading specialist, Tobania supports companies in all their data-driven digital transformation challenges. These include for example business consulting, software solutions, testing, support services, IT infrastructure, and professional and innovation services. Thanks to our easy-going communication and open learning culture, continuous improvement and innovation are at the top of our to-do list each and every day.

What do you consider your most important job as CEO?

My main task is to ensure that our organisation achieves the strategic objectives discussed with our Board of Directors. This seems quite straightforward, but the reality is somewhat different. Writing a plan that includes well-defined KPIs isn't a fixed fact. After all, we live and work in a complex society with constantly changing circumstances that force us to adapt. And that's the challenge that every CEO has to tackle. I have to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that the motivation continues to flow.

You have already accomplished a lot with Tobania. What achievements are you personally most proud of?

To be honest, I am proud of what we have achieved each and every day. Every event, big or small, excites me even more to continue. So it's hard to choose, but if I had to ... I would say that I am most proud of all the wonderful colleagues with whom I have been able to surround myself over the years.

I get to meet them every day on our adventure together. Sometimes it's a quick "hello", on other occasions it's a 5-minute conversation, and on other days it's an extensive meeting. I am especially proud of the fact that they are all incredibly lovely and talented people who put in an extra effort every day to make sure that our customers are satisfied by Tobania.

As you know “Together" is one of our values, and that is no coincidence.

How would you describe your management style?

I would describe my style as adaptive, since I can very easily adapt to the circumstances and the people I work with. Simultaneously, I grow with them.

For let's be clear: running a small company is completely different to running a large company with corporate processes. In a small company, you have to do everything yourself, whereas in a big company, for example, you have to respect the procedures.

Growing as a leader in this is a challenge: for example, allowing others to make decisions, letting go, giving time, while being open to new technologies and new forms of reporting.

In a positive sense, I would say that a good manager is like a chameleon: purposeful in the pursuit of his goals, but at the same time adapting to the environment. That is the kind of manager I try to be every day.

How do you try to leave your mark on the Belgian IT landscape?

I am a true advocate of transparency. To me, sharing knowledge within Tobania, but also to the outside world, is of utmost importance.

We live in such a small politically and economically divided country, that it imposes many barriers on us, which also affects our culture and habits, for example. Working together and sharing successes can help our local ICT companies so much further and put us on the international map.

As far as I am concerned, the government has a big hand in this by doing business with its local entrepreneurs.

How would Tobians describe you in three words?

Well, ask any of the Tobians (laughs)! I would say pragmatic, driven to the max and jovial. In other words, I like to share, I am ambitious and I always have an action-orientated outlook.

What were you thinking when you heard that you had been nominated for Computable's IT Person of the Year?

That was a remarkable moment. At first, I put it into perspective, but then someone said to me: "You are in the top 10 and you should be proud of that! So, I am very happy and now secretly hope that I can take home the prize for our Tobians.

What dreams do you still have professionally?

I still have a lot of dreams on my mind, which is how this adventure started more than 15 years ago as well, when I founded this company. Subsequently, I wanted to grow and today I can proudly say that we are a team of more than 1.000 Tobians.

Tobania is a family business, independent, debt-free, fast-growing and healthy. My dreams today are to continue to grow, to remain a true entrepreneur, to start new initiatives within the company and possibly to expand Tobania internationally.

Who inspires you?

Many have inspired me, and many will inspire me. I love to read short biographies of entrepreneurs. And then I always ask myself: what made them grow? What can I learn from them? And how did they deal with certain challenges? My motto is to keep learning from others. And with respect for everyone who is an entrepreneur, large or small. There are always insights you can carry with you on your own journey.

Why do you love IT so much?

IT is the abbreviation of two words, and together they have a great meaning. So, IT is many things. It is widely interpretable, complex if you try to understand it and never-ending. When you dive into the world of IT, there is always a great challenge ahead and that is what I like about it. In short, you will never be finished gaining knowledge, and isn't that something wonderful?

Why would you like to be "IT Person of the Year"?

Simply because Tobania deserves it. My entrepreneurial spirit is also one of our four company values and my team and I have been able to accelerate this value within Tobania.

In fact, when I take home the award, all our colleagues, customers and suppliers also get the recognition they deserve. Because together we have made Tobania what it is today and what it will become tomorrow. Thanks to each other, and by working together.

Isn't that beautiful?