Craftsmanship means daring to challenge the customer and taking them along in a growth process

A natural transition

For many within Axelio, the announcement that Harro was taking over was not a surprise after the retirement of Mirjam. "We have been working together for so long that the course and values we share are deeply ingrained in the team."

Harro is described by Mirjam as a leader who is exceptionally strong in content but always keeps an eye on the human side. That combination is essential for the role of Operations Manager at Axelio Academy and Improve, where technical expertise and coaching go hand in hand.

Fully in sync

The success of the past sixteen years was largely due to the dynamics between Mirjam and Harro. While Mirjam was often the commercial 'closer' who sealed deals, Harro brought the substantive depth. Mirjam confirms that this understanding was the foundation for the current structure: "I leave things behind with peace of mind because Harro is just as unwavering on quality as I am. Half measures simply do not lead to customer retention, and he understands that better than anyone."

The human dimension as a legacy

In addition to the business connection, there has always been a strong human bond, something Harro absolutely wants to maintain in his leadership. Mirjam's main advice to her successor is as simple as it is effective: "Stay true to yourself, even now that the playing field is expanding due to Axelio's growth. We have now separated the roles more clearly to grow, but never lose that genuine attention for each other."

The future: from application knowledge to business consultancy

Under Harro's leadership, the focus of Axelio Academy & Improve will shift further. "With the rise of AI, our field is changing dramatically," he explains. "Pure application knowledge is becoming less distinctive; it's about how you use technology to truly elevate an organization to the next level. What we have been doing, we want to maintain: from an independent role, we want to be our clients' partner."

This calls for a new type of consultant and trainer: the business consultant who not only understands the buttons but also sees the process and the people behind the software. We are already doing our work from that perspective, but it will only become more important. "Craftsmanship means to me that you dare to challenge the customer and take them along in a growth process, rather than just setting up a system."

Room for direction

For (future) employees, Harro has a clear message: at Axelio, you get the space to truly become a specialist. "Our consultants are highly self-directed; they take their clients along and work closely with the user organization to achieve good results. That can be challenging, and it requires courage, but it is the place where you can make the most impact as a professional and grow the fastest."

That freedom and responsibility form the core of the Axelio culture. Harro absolutely wants to maintain the collegiality and the 'helping hand' that is so characteristic of the unit. "You are only as good as the collective here. We share everything with each other: successes, challenges, and above all our knowledge."

Ambition for the next 5 years

Harro does not hide his ambitions for the future. "In five years, 'Axelio Academy' must be a household name in the market, just like Mprise was," he states resolutely. In addition, he wants to develop Improve into the go-to partner for companies that want to continuously improve.

"IT is not a one-time project; it is a continuous process of growth," Harro concludes. "We are here to support that growth step by step, with passion for the profession and genuine attention for the people."