With the International Factory, Berger-Levrault accelerates its development in the world and initiates an innovative, multicultural and agile way of working. Launched in May 2016, the new entity based in Spain is hosting three pilot projects.
As says Guy Beaudet, the Factory’s purpose is to develop solutions in line with the international needs. From the beginning, these projects are designed to be aimed to French, Spanish, Canadian and Moroccan markets. The Factory is today located in Ecija, Spain.
By Bienvenido Espinosa Cano, project director of the International Factory and Jean Del Goleto, deputy director of the Citizen Relations Division.
Five months after the launch of the International Factory, what is your own view on the start-up of this brand new collaboration?
Jean Del Goleto: I already consider our mission a success for Berger-Levrault. In less than six months we have succeeded in putting in place an agile pool of resources and skills at international level. We have premises, a team, an organisation and our projects have already started and run smoothly.
Bienvenido Espinosa Cano: I am happy! In record time, ten new employed developers managed to collaborate with the team based in France and started delivering a first product that already enjoys positive feedback from customers.
How are the missions divided up between France and Spain?
BEC: The Spanish team focuses on product development. The variety of experiences and members profiles of the structure ensures innovation, which is a key point of success.
JDG: Our product managers are close to the market and to our clients. They write specifications, imagine the offers and functionalities and pilot the development team in Spain.
How can we work genuinely in a different way?
BEC: The international dimension creates particular conditions, which need to be identified to overcome obstacles. It is inevitably more difficult to start an unknown relationship with a colleague abroad, and who in addition does not speak your language!
What are the inputs of the Agile approach?
BEC: In Agile method, the project belongs to each and all. The main lines of the method are motivation and autonomy in the organisation within the team, in the management of time and the possibility for everyone to gain skills. It also provides the keys to improve both work and processes shortly, allowing rapid productivity improvement.
JDG: The Agile method define a frame for a project, with detailed roles -scrum master, product owner, etc.-, a clear protocol and short terms. This is a new competence needed to be learned by the French team which training has started.
What are the challenges?
JDG: The Factory is an inner entity within Berger-Levrault settled in Spain, sending out a strong signal of our goal to internationalize. It is an important investment to accelerate our growth and capacity to produce innovating, modern products to meet time-to-market needs throughout all Berger -Levrault and its subsidiaries. It should be further on a basis for developing new international markets.
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