A look back at the 3rd edition of bol breakfast in Belgium
What do you get when you bring bol and its selling partners to the same (breakfast) table? Good conversations and a hunger for an even better collaboration!
On August 26, we gathered at our Antwerp office for the 3rd edition of the bol breakfast: a small-scale panel with about 20 Belgian partners and the presence of our senior leadership. On the agenda: interesting conversations, valuable insights, and good energy.
Partnership as a guideline
We deliberately chose open dialogue instead of long presentations. In small groups, partners discussed with each other and with bol about what is going well, what could be improved, and where we can make a difference together. What emerged will inspire our future initiatives and further strengthen our collaboration with our partners. In this article, you can read what 4 participants thought of the morning.
I could immediately apply the information in practice.
Els Maes – BIC
For Els Maes, Category Manager Benelux at BIC, the bol breakfast was a successful mix of new insights and valuable exchange. “There were really new things in the presentations, but at least as interesting was learning from other partners. Someone shared how they tackled a certain challenge, and I could also give tips back. I really enjoyed that interaction.”
According to her, the small scale of the event also made it extra strong. “You see if you are doing well and what can be improved. Bol does that well: smaller events, with room for personal conversation. This makes it feel qualitative and inspiring.”
Els also immediately started working with what she had learned. She adjusted her approach to Sponsored Products, planned additional conversations to deepen analyses, and ensured she received more data insights from colleagues. “The great thing is that you can immediately apply the information in practice. That makes it very relevant and impactful.”
It was really about dialogue.
Jasper Demeurie - J-Line by Jolipa
Jasper came to the bol breakfast for the first time and immediately felt at home: “I find the human aspect important. Bol really focuses on personal contact.” He especially appreciated that familiar names from email and phone now also got faces: from Partnerservice to colleagues involved in Logistics via bol. The small scale lowered the threshold: in the breakouts, partners recognized each other's themes, which gave weight to the conversations and made it easier to tackle things together.
What Jasper finds most distinctive compared to similar events? “At bol, you notice that it's really about dialogue: letting partners speak, discussing problems, and finding solutions together.” Thanks to the direct lines at the event, his team now knows faster who can contribute ideas. Transparency around data (such as search behavior and market insights) provides direction for next steps. “By speaking to the right people at the bol breakfast, I now better understand how we can approach this internally.”
Great opportunity to brainstorm with other partners.
Emir Sarvan – VGBrandShop
For Emir Sarvan of VGBrandShop, the bol breakfast is now a fixed appointment in his agenda. “Honestly: very positive. The quiz at the beginning was immediately a fun opening. It is especially valuable to get to know people and make connections. Of course, other partners are also present, so that provides opportunities to brainstorm together.”
During the sessions, Emir discovered new possibilities that can also help his own company move forward. For example, he gained inspiration about tools and AI solutions that can strengthen the product range and support sales. “Internally, we are now looking at how we can apply these insights in our processes. Such ideas really give a boost and make you think.”
What also struck him is bol's open attitude: “They are very interested in what can be improved and what pitfalls partners experience. You feel that they really listen and that there is room to share experiences.”
Branded Shelves helps us better showcase our product range.
Dov Dzialoszynski – Royalty Line
Dov Dzialoszynski, brand owner of Royalty Line, an international brand in kitchen and household items, participated in the bol breakfast to share ideas directly with bol and exchange experiences with other partners. “You also learn through blogs or newsletters, but personal conversation has much more value.”
The morning sessions mainly provided him with insights into Logistics via bol and Sponsored Products, with Branded Shelves as a concrete example. “For us as a brand, visibility is crucial. Branded Shelves helps to position Royalty Line more strongly on bol and better showcase our product range.”
He also appreciates the fact that bol actively gives partners a voice: “It shows that bol wants to grow together with its partners. You hear how other entrepreneurs work, but also how bol itself views our challenges. You don't often see that on other platforms.”