Interview with Colin Lovering, Chairman of the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce,
by Andreea GUDIN
In an exclusive interview with Colin Lovering, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce (BRCC), we delve into his career, achievements and outlook for the chamber’s future.
Join us in unraveling his intricate journey as we explore the intersections of trade, leadership, innovation and psychology in the dynamic landscapes of Romania and the United Kingdom. Discover how BRCC not only shapes business strategies but also ushers in a new era of collaborative and purpose-driven growth.
Nine O’Clock: Mr. Lovering, you are an influential business leader. What motivated you to take on the role of Chairman of the BRCC?
Mr. Lovering: I came onto the board of Directors over 10 years ago as I have always believed that, as an expat in any country, we should be making the effort to give something back to the country we have the pleasure of living and working in. Joining the Chamber was one thing, becoming Chairman was a desire to support, influence and even challenge the ongoing growth of the BRCC in Romania.
Nine O’Clock: You have been a prominent figure in the Romanian business community for over a decade. How has your journey contributed to your unique perspective as the Chairman of the BRCC and what do you envision for the chamber under your leadership?
Mr. Lovering: I think the main learning for me was the dynamics of Romanian business versus the more traditional approach that I have been used to. The technological advances in Romania have definitely accelerated the country’s growth. The combination of cultures and skills are definitely a good recipe for success and an attractiveness factor for British investment.
Nine O’Clock: Your commitment to business performance and leadership consulting is evident. How do you plan to leverage these skills to drive the BRCC’s mission forward?
Mr. Lovering: I have always stood firmly with the belief that every good leader surrounds them selves with people much more capable and skill diverse as they are. My mission has been to capitalise on the incredible talent and expertise within the chamber board and team and to be the person, hopefully, that simply keeps the momentum and dedication strong.
Nine O’Clock: In your role as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bucharest, how do you balance academic insights with practical business acumen to prepare students for the challenges of the modern workforce?
Mr. Lovering: This is a big question as there is still too much theory in many schools and universities that creates a huge gap between graduation and business life. This life transition can be a tough one and I am always happy to work with the University of Bucharest in closing this gap a little along with some great initiatives by organisations helping students make a seamless move in their young careers.
Nine O’Clock: As an advocate for both business and education, how do you envision the symbiotic relationship between these realms shaping the future of economic growth in Romania and the UK?
Mr. Lovering: Without sounding too much like a cliché, the youth of Romania really are the future particularly in the areas of sustainability and the environment which will transition from a desirable to a necessity in all business transactions and relationships. Romania is very firmly on the map and young Romanians have certainly contributed to this in areas such as IT. This provides the necessary confidence to the UK to further invest in the country as we are seeing with investments as well as expansions of British organisations.
Nine O’Clock: Partnerships between nations and organizations are instrumental in economic growth. How does the BRCC balance fostering collaborations while ensuring the unique value it brings to its members?
Mr. Lovering: The BRCC is, and always will be, a member led organisation. I always say that you only get out of being a member, what you put in. We listen hard and act on suggestions and advice from a wide range of membership. Some of the big investments in Romania and the UK bring opportunities for our members in services, legal support, and collaborations. Our strength in being that link between members and opportunities is why people join and stay with the chamber.
Nine O’Clock: In the ongoing dialogue surrounding the concept of hybrid work, the dynamic interplay between remote and office-based work arrangements has become a focal point of discussion. As we delve into this intricate issue, it is clear that the notion of hybrid work extends beyond mere logistical adjustments; it encompasses multifaceted aspects of human preference, relationships and organizational culture.
As organizations strive to strike a balance that optimizes productivity and nurtures employee contentment, a fundamental question emerges: How can companies adeptly navigate this paradigm to achieve the twin goals of enhanced output and heightened job satisfaction?
Mr. Lovering: Another great question and one that is still being deliberated in the boardroom and office.
For me, life is all about options and parents and organisations alike need to give the correct options along with wisdom for people to make the right choice. Parenting goes way beyond teenage years so it’s important that these options of hybrid work are clearly explained and not just given away like a piece of candy.
Statistics show that nearly 30% of long-term relationships start in the workplace!
We are in danger of taking that away if we don’t guide and encourage people to be a visible part of an organisation, not just working for it.
I monitor closely, the in-depth research carried out by Steelcase and my colleagues at COS (www.cos.ro) where not a single day goes by without business leaders and HR managers asking advice about the wellbeing and loyalty challenges of today’s new trending office environments.
Nine O’Clock: In your opinion, what are the distinct cultural elements shaping workspace preferences in Romania and how do they influence the evolving trends in office design and utilization?
Mr. Lovering: More statistics on this question! Romania has a higher percentage of more introverted people than most countries (thankfully, I should add!). I believe that open space was created by extroverts for extroverts, a concept that doesn’t work so well in Romania. The evolution post-covid has seen the arrival of more neutral and natural landscapes in the office together with soft furnishings that encourage movement and those important one-2-one chats that, I know, are so vital for Romanians.
Going back to my other statistic, friendships in the workplace hold people and loyalty to an organisation. Creating these home-from-home environments will encourage people back into the office where they will be more inspired than before covid changed our world.
Nine O’Clock: Your extensive international experience includes roles in manufacturing, operations and sales management. How do these experiences inform your perspective on the evolving business landscape in Romania?
Mr. Lovering: The international flavour of Romanian business is growing each day and with it comes a need for cultural understanding and diversity. The great thing about being a foreigner in Romania is the very subtle welcome you get. No falseness, no prejudice, just curiosity and a proverbial opening of the door to come in. That is such a strong element of Romanian culture that I am sure will benefit its international attractiveness over the coming years.
Nine O’Clock: You’ve been involved with several well-known organizations, including HP, BMW and Oracle. How do these collaborations contribute to your understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today?
Mr. Lovering: As a Brit who is very people orientated, it has been a great education and enlightenment to become more efficient with in a task orientated country. Both attributes have their strength and bringing that customer orientation of the British into the efficient world of Romania makes a great combination for success going forward particularly in the service industry.
Nine O’Clock: The Carpathian Single Malt Whisky brand has gained global recognition. How does your role as Global Brand Ambassador align with your broader vision for promoting Romanian products and industries?
Mr. Lovering: This past year has really been quite a journey for me. I branded myself an ‘Honorary Romanian’ some time ago as I am very proud of this country and this opportunity to travel and speak about Romania was too good to miss.
Carpathian Single Malt Whisky is already winning global awards for its excellence, but the magic is in the story. I have always said that Romania is like its wine, you will never know how wonderful it is until you have tasted it! Now I extend that expression to Carpathian Single Malt, of course.
On a serious note, having the opportunity to stand up in front of audiences across the world and talk about Romania is key to, not only the products I talk about, but all industries should approach their communications in the same way. If I had said a few years ago that Dacia Duster was going to sell over a million cars across Europe, people would have thought I was mad.
Romania is definitely on that map and the opportunities are enormous if we all take the pride and story telling as our key message to customers.
Nine O’Clock: Your book “A Day in the Life of Exceptional Sales Professionals” has enjoyed remarkable success. Your upcoming book, “THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE”, sounds more then intriguing. Could you share your thoughts on the intersection of business and psychology, particularly in the context of enhancing leadership and organizational effectiveness?
Mr. Lovering: I think my Romanian friends and colleagues join me in a fascination of psychology in life.
The power of using psychology is not something we are always aware of hence the writing of this book that captures every aspect of business and personal life and shows how psychology can give us that extra edge or advantage.
In a task orientated world, that ‘experience’ and ‘feel’ that people get can be the major factor in decision making and how people judge a restaurant, meeting, proposal, presentation, etc.
Nine O’Clock: In a previous interview, you’ve mentioned the importance of engaging employees in the strategy of the business. Could you elaborate on how the BRCC aims to foster such engagement among its members?
Mr. Lovering: It is easy to make decisions and then expect everyone to embrace them. In reality, the more you engage people in the decision making, the more likely they will be with you on the journey ahead.
That sense of being involved is a powerful one and something we are aware of at the chamber as we seek ideas, guidance, feedback from our members that will be used to shape the organisation going forward.
Nine O’Clock: The BRCC has cooperated with influential partners, including The British Embassy and The British Chambers of Commerce. How do these collaborations amplify the chamber’s impact on economic growth and trade relationships?
Mr. Lovering: Our goal is always to be as involved as possible in all areas of business, advocacy, NGO’s, Education etc. Respecting what our partners are doing is paramount to ensuring a professional approach to everything we do with no unnecessary overlapping.
The transparency and healthy working relationships allow us all to utilise the strengths in working together or autonomously for the good of Romania/British interests.
Thank you Mr. Lovering: and have a nice day!
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Andreea GUDIN joined Nine O′Clock at the beginning of July 2023. Andreea Gudin is a communication consultant with 6 years of experience. She graduated the Faculty of Philosophy and Journalism in 2004 and holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. She obtained the Cambridge English: (CAE) diploma and in 2006, completed her MBA at Open University Business School London. With her educational background and expertise in both philosophy and journalism, Andreea brings a unique perspective to her work in communication. Get in touch with her if you want to discuss media development ideas and content proposals: [email protected] Contributor Andreea GUDIN
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