“Those with ambition are in the right place at LCL”
For more than 11 years, Abdellah Mahlous has been pulling the cart at LCL. This makes him of the most proverbial miles on the clock in our data center business. But suppose he came to apply today, what would attract him the most? “The good atmosphere and work ethic and the speed with which we can change gears. Here you don’t have to collect a resembling of signatures before you can move forward.”
When Abdellah joined LCL a good 11 years ago, the company was still in its infancy. “A small team ran the data center to the best of their ability, but it was essentially a family business where everyone did just about everything. Every employee pulled out all the stops, but you couldn’t catch us at much organization yet. What there was, however, was the vision of founder and current Managing Director Laurens van Reijen. By gathering the right people around us and structuring the organization, we have translated that vision into a strong strategy in recent years. We have made great strides by making the right investments in technology and training. In fact, employees can always register for relevant training at LCL or make their own suggestions.”
“The same great strides we have made for our customers. The pleasant environment we have created for our customers and employees is no longer reminiscent in anything like the place it was in the beginning. It is also a pleasure for us to be able to work here. We have nice offices, welcoming seating areas and … the best coffee in Diegem. (laughs)”
“For us, social contact with customers is crucial – we like to address them by their first name. You should know that many of those technicians spend a lot of days here. Not only is it enjoyable, but it helps to exchange a lot of information and knowledge with each other informally. It lays a foundation of trust.”
Success is merit of all
The number of employees has quadrupled in Abdellah’s 11 years at LCL. As Operations Managers, how does he treat his employees? “For me, the good atmosphere between colleagues is crucial. No backbiting here – we speak out what we want to put on the table and give everyone the same level of respect. Whatever job you do. What we have achieved with the data center business is the work of technicians, is the work of engineers, is the work of management, is also the work of third-party vendors who come to work here, of the cleaning crews… That’s how the entire management team looks at our way of working, and I’m sure our customers notice that as well.”
“We work in a super critical environment and then you have to be able to count on each other as colleagues. That we succeed in this is one of the reasons why we are successful today - as is our work ethic.”
Abdellah Mahlous — Operations Manager
Abdellah is in charge of operations, but he doesn’t think and look in silos. “We need each other. Operations, sales, support services … a department can only run well if the cooperation with the other departments is good. We work in a super critical environment and then you have to be able to count on each other as colleagues. That we succeed in that, I think, is one of the reasons why we are successful today – as is our work ethic.”
Growth Path
LCL is on a growth trajectory of a hefty 10 percent per year. How does that change the company, its dealings with customers and employees? “Running a data center successfully requires a good strategy and a lot of investment. As a result of our growth, the type of customer is also changing. In the beginning, we often joined hands with smaller IT companies. Start-ups of the time like a Combell and a Dstny grew with us – we strengthened each other. The customers who come to us now are often already larger, as are our installations. And it is not illogical that the number of employees is also growing.”
“If I were to apply for a job at LCL now, I would certainly be charmed by the speed with which the company can respond and its willingness to make the necessary investments. Laurens (van Reijen, the Managing Director) is very approachable which makes the decision lines short so we can move quickly. You don’t have to collect a resembling signature here before you can move forward.”
“The advancement opportunities also ensure that employees are motivated. Our former receptionist has advanced to Operations Assistant and today leads internal projects. An Operations Assistant is now Service Manager and our IT manager once started here as a service technician. Just to say: a degree is of course a nice ticket of admission, but in the long run, much more depends on your gusto, your entrepreneurial spirit, your mindset and your skills. Those with ambition can flourish here.”
“A degree is of course a great ticket of entry, but in the long run, much more depends on your gusto, your entrepreneurial spirit, your mindset and your skills. Those with ambition can flourish here.”
Abdellah Mahlous — Operations Manager
