Q7Leader

Founder

Q7 leader is an HR Tech consultancy company specialized in boosting company performance through collaborative leadership augmented with  people analytics and insights. It owns the exclusive distribution rights on "thehrframework.com", a platform designed for the optimization of Return on Human Capital Investment (ROHCI) through the simplification, the integration and the standardization of six key HRM practices every line manager should master: (1) Organisation Design, (2) Competence, (3) Performance, (4)Talent, (5) Reward management and (6) Resource Planning. 

This solution includes a series of on-line apps which greatly simplify the measuring and monitoring of companies' HR indicators, analytics and insights. 

It is is designed to support companies during 6 stages of their lifecycle: start-up, due-diligence/ acquisition, merger, restructuring ...and moving away from overengineered HR. 

It now runs in over 20 countries on 5 continents. It is compatible with most major provider of HRIS and Reward & Benefits providers.

Pulse Foundation, Beyond Program supporting scale-ups

Coach in HR strategy and management

Solvay Brussels school of Economics & Management

Maître de Conférence lecturing in 
- Master in Management at Solvay School of Economics and Management
- 2d year Master in Human Resources Management
 Includes: mastering HR for non HR, Leadership, Designing organisations, Performance, Competence and Talent management in Learning Organisations. Reward & Benefits strategies.
Publication: "the 6 fundamentals for CEO & CFO to get their HR basics right"

Maître de conférence  Solvay Brussels school of Economics & Management

Promethean Plc

$300 Millions Revenue; up to 1000 employees.
Led the Group HR functional area through Promethean's transformation (including IPO) into becoming a global player with key focus on designing and developing transformational interactive hardware and sofware solutions that support education, business and governments in teaching and learning best practices,new skills or launching new methods and processes within organisations.

Chief Human Capital Officer

€4 Billion revenue, up to 12,000 employees.
- End to end HR accountability for EMEA & Latin America regions.
- Worldwide HR accountability over Sales and Marketing functional areas. 
- Design and implementation of a “GloCal” HR service organisation across 30 countries (including Peoplesoft deployment). 
- Global Program leader for BT Group on matrix operating model implementation
- Variety of M&A, integrations and transformations of 20+ companies (Benelux, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, LATAM, Dubai and USA)

Vice-President HR BT international

Mobistar

Director Human Resources & Hotelling Services

Xerox Corporation

Company Secretary & HR director Belgium Luxembourg

Allen & Overy (Loeff Claeys Verbeke)

Lawyer, Avocat at the Bar of Brussels, Belgium

Procter & Gamble

Legal counsel detached by law firm to assist line managers in FMCG marketing campaigns.

Legal advisor

20 years of International HR, 17 years of Faculty at Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management, 8 years of Entrepreneurship in HRtech. 

Reggy-Charles Degen

Most leaders say people are the main asset. I say that’s simply not true.

You hear it everywhere.

“Our people are our biggest asset.”

It sounds good. It feels good. But look at what happens when a company announces a big layoff.

The stock price goes up.

Not down.

If people were the main asset, losing them should hurt the company. But the market rewards the move.

This tells me something important.

It’s not the people alone who drive value. It’s what they can do. The skills. The knowledge. The experience.

A company is not a family. It’s a system built on useful competencies.

When those competencies go out the door, the company only cares if they are hard to replace.

If you keep people who do not bring needed skills, the value does not go up. It goes down.

The lesson here:

• Companies do not reward headcount. They reward impact.
• The market does not care about slogans. It cares about results.
• Leaders need to focus on building, keeping, and growing the right competencies.

I am not saying people do not matter. I am saying that the value is in what people know and what they can do.

And, most importantly, I'm saying we can't lie to people anymore. Or when big layoffs happen (which can happen to any company), our big words won't have any meaning anymore.

Curious to hear your views on this topic.

P.S. If you want to be seen as an asset, keep learning. Keep building skills that truly matter.

Founder of Q7Leader | Author of the People Model Canvas | Human Resources Professor at Solvay Business School

No alternative text description for this image

I can profile any employee in just 10 minutes. Here's how.

After 20 years in international HR, I stopped wasting time on endless meetings and vague discussions.

I built the People Model Canvas.

With this process, CEOs, CPOs, and HR business partners get:

→ A common language for team decisions
→ Data-driven clarity on every employee
→ Actionable plans for growth, not just opinions

I’ve seen it work across Europe, Asia, and the US. Over 90% accuracy in role assessments, faster team alignment, and much better development planning.

What changed? Managers stopped guessing. Teams stopped drifting. Everyone knows what is expected and how to grow.

The People Model Canvas makes this possible. It moves us from subjective debates to objective action.

If you want to save hours and boost your team’s clarity, try the 10-minute session. You’ll never go back to the old way.

What alternative approaches are you using for talent management?

Unpopular opinion: The 9-box grid is the biggest obstacle to talent development.

(from someone who used it for decades)

It felt safe. It gave structure. It looked “objective.”

But here’s what I learned:

- The grid is a shortcut for bias.
- It hides real performance.
- It gives managers a reason to keep old habits.

You know the drill:

• Fill boxes.
• Defend ratings.
• Hope the system finds your next leader.

But most grids do not show you the full picture.

You get numbers, not people.
You get labels, not growth.
You get the same results, year after year.

I wanted better.

I replaced (or should I say complemented) the grid with the People Model Canvas.

Here’s why:

→ It aligns performance, values, and competencies.
→ It builds clear expectation profiles (not just job descriptions).
→ It gives data-driven insights for every person.

What changed?

- Decisions became transparent.
- Growth became possible.
- Talent management became fair.

If you keep using the 9-box grid, expect mediocre results.

If you want real talent development, scrap the grid.

Elevate your process.
Make it multidimensional.
Make it (really) human.

What alternative approaches are you using for talent management?

1 in 3 employees will need to be retrained by 2030.

According to a 2025 McKinsey report, AI could automate up to 30% of our work in the next few years.

For HR, this changes everything.

Most HR teams still try to track hundreds of technical skills per role.

By the time the list is complete, it is already out of date.

Technical skills appear, grow, and disappear faster every year, pushed by AI and digital change.

I do not believe HR can win that race.

In my work with companies, I focus on one simple shift.

Stop tracking specific skills.
↳ Start tracking general competencies.

When I say general competencies, I mean skills that travel across almost every role in your company:

• Adaptability
• Team work
• Teaching and knowledge sharing
• Analysis and critical thinking
• Project management

These are not linked to one tool or one job.

They follow people when they move from finance to product, from operations to HR, from one company to another.

They are also the skills you need when AI changes 30% of the work.

You can learn a new platform if you already have strong learning and teaching skills.

You can move to a new process if you are strong in project management and team work.

HR should build one clear, shared language for these general competencies.

Map them.
Develop them.
Use them in recruitment, performance, and internal mobility.

Tools like the People Model Canvas help managers and HR speak the same language when they do this.

I stopped using the 9-box grid.

Here’s what changed when we moved to 7 dimensions:

The 9-box grid is simple.
Two axes: performance and potential.

That works if you want to talk about who steps into the CEO chair next. But for real talent management across the business? It falls flat.

You do not run Finance on two numbers.

Why would you run people decisions that way?

When I looked at what our teams needed, two dimensions were not enough. They gave us opinions, not real data. They gave us snapshots, not systems.

That’s why I built the People Model Canvas.

Seven dimensions instead of two. Because people are not numbers on a grid. They are:

1. General Expectation Profile (role clarity)
2. Operating Mode (how they work each day)
3. Competence
4. Performance
5. Potential
6. Vision & Values
7. Career & Reward

Each one tells you something different.
Together, they give you a full picture.

But here’s the real shift: We connect these dimensions with a common language. No more contradictions between “competence” and “performance.” No more guessing what “potential” means in one team versus another.

Now, managers and HR use the same words, the same framework. The process is fairer, the data is stronger, and leaders trust the results.

We moved from opinions to evidence. From fragmented HR to one system everyone can use.

That’s the difference seven dimensions make.

I recorded a deep dive video on why the 9-box grid is not enough and how the People Model Canvas changes the game.

Want the full video?

1. Like this post
2. Comment “9-BOX” below
3. Connect with me (so I can send it) ← important

Tres interessante session menée par notre collègue de Q7leader France sur l’équité et l’égalité salariale hommes-femmes - la nouvelle directive européenne

HRTech Entrepreneur & Coach | Podcast Host Beautiful People I GM France Q7Leader I UN Women France Board Member

Est-ce que votre organisation est prête pour la directive européenne sur la transparence salariale ? Juin 2026 va arriver plus vite qu'on ne le pense. Rejoignez-nous le 20 novembre pour en discuter !

Valerie Coddens, Emmanuelle Goulas and 6 other connections attending

De l’écart salarial à l’équité : la révolution de la transparence

Who wants to start the new year with stress? Not me 😄

Don’t wait for 2026 to learn about pay transparency ↓

Our CEO, Thomas, is still hosting 2 live sessions before the Christmas break to teach you all about the EU directive.

He'll share our simple 5-step methodology to be compliant (without stress).

In 45 minutes, you'll get a clear action plan for 2026.

Then you can go enjoy your loved ones for a well-deserved break, with this topic out of your mind 😉🎄

See you there?

Book your spot now: https://lnkd.in/esnk-UFD

Many HR leaders are waiting for the law to be clarified. And that's precisely what will put them behind in 2026. Why? Because in reality, we already know the essentials of what will be required ↓

The European directive is very clear about what will be mandated:

• reliable compensation data
• defined and comparable roles
• the ability to justify every salary decision
• gaps calculated uniformly, bonuses included
• accessible and explicit compensation criteria

This is not a surprise.
And it won't be simplified in national law.
Member states can only specify details, not lighten requirements.

So yes, there are still details to be confirmed at the national level.
But the foundations are already written in black and white.

And it's precisely these foundations that require months of work.

Aligning role levels.
Structuring the data.
Documenting evaluation criteria.
Ensuring hiring practices are consistent.
Being able to prove fairness, not just claim it.

This isn't something you handle "when the law drops."

It's an organizational undertaking that requires time, clarity, and methodology.

To help you assess where you stand, we've created a quick 3-minute test. Answer 15 simple questions to identify your risks and preparation priorities.

👉 Take the test now: https://lnkd.in/eJcckw5t

Si vous avez des questions par rapport à la directive européenne sur la transparence des salaires et ce que ça va changer en Belgique, ceci est pour vous ! 🇧🇪

📆 Mercredi 3 décembre à 12h

Thomas Goubau & Sarah Cluydts discuteront de :

- ce que la directive implique pour les sociétés belges
- comment vous préparer au mieux, sans stress
- les fausses croyances (et il y en a beaucoup)

On se voit là-bas ? 😉

Always great to hear enthusiastic feedback for customers. Thanks Thomas D'Hoe 🎯

🔥 Passionate Operations & People Ops Innovator at Premium Plus | Elevating CX & EX to New Heights with Zendesk 🚀

I believe in strong teams.

↳ I believe in clear models for people and work.
↳ I believe in sharing what works, not just what’s easy.

A few weeks ago, Premium Plus - Zendesk's EMEA Partner of the Year hosted the Q7Leader and their People Model Canvas Community.

Our office was full of HR leaders. The energy was real.

We opened up our playbook.

↳ We showed how we use Zendesk to serve employees.
↳ We shared how AI and self-service change the game.
↳ We explained how automation cuts out failure and low-value work.

The best part: seeing the new Q7Leader feature in action.

The updated conversations template is simple, but powerful.

It helps teams talk better. It helps leaders see what matters.

At Premium Plus, we don’t just talk about competencies. We build them.

We use the People Model Canvas to shape our teams and our future.

It’s not just a tool. It’s a way to make work better for everyone.

Here’s what we have learned:

- The right model brings clarity to chaos.
- AI and automation are not about replacing people. They are about removing friction.
- When you focus on high-value work, teams grow faster.
- The best HR leaders share, adapt, and build together.

The future of employee service is here.

It’s built on strong models, smart tools, and people who care.

That’s how you create real impact.

I'm building a middle management layer.

It's hard. It's risky.

But it's the only way to scale.

☑ Most scale-ups fail here
☑ They skip the bridge between leaders and teams
☑ They forget: managers drive team engagement

Gallup found that 70% of the difference in team engagement comes down to the manager.

That means the manager is the lever. If the manager is strong, the team is strong. If the manager fails, the team falls apart.

A people manager only wins if their team wins.

So, what do we expect from our people managers?

→ Set clear expectations
→ Give feedback, early and often
→ Support the team and clear roadblocks
→ Recognize and celebrate team members

These are not one-off tasks. They are habits. They are the job.

But habits need support. Here’s what we’re doing to make sure our people managers succeed:

• We wrote down exactly what we expect from every people manager. No guessing. No confusion.
• We built a monthly people manager community, with help from Open Org. Managers learn from each other. They share what works and what doesn’t.
• We’re writing a people manager handbook. It’s a playbook for the hard stuff: tough talks, feedback, recognition, and more.
• We’re building a people manager scan. Managers get feedback from their teams, not just from above. This keeps them honest and helps them grow.

This is how we avoid the middle management trap.

This is how we build a real bridge between leadership and the team.

This is how we turn managers into ambassadors.

It’s hard, but it’s the only way to win at scale.

Maybe the toughest HR question I received this year:

« How do I fairly include an autistic colleague in our framework? »

We were in a workshop, doing a simple team scan.

At some point, someone raised their hand and said, almost apologetically:

“This colleague is autistic. Our framework gives them a negative label. But it does not feel fair... What do we do?”

In the People Model Canvas, we have a Vision & Values matrix, with profiles like “role model”, “nice person”, or “prima donna”.

The “Prima donna” is what we call someone who models business excellence but may not model corporate values and culture.

On paper, that is probably where this colleague would land.
If you only look at visible behaviour, you simply apply that rule.

But autism is not a “bad attitude”.

It is a recognised condition, with its own way of communicating, processing information and reacting to stress.

So the real question is not only “which box do we tick”, it is:

↳ How do we keep our system honest and transparent for everyone while recognising that some behaviours are linked to a medical condition?

This is where the real value of a model like the People Model Canvas appears.

If you spend your time reinventing your HR basics every time a difficult case shows up, you never reach this level of discussion. All the energy is lost in defining roles, expectations, behaviours, labels.

When those basics are already clear and shared, HR and managers can use their time where no model can fully help: on the exceptional, very human cases like autism at work.

Then you can make an explicit choice that fits your culture on a case-by-case basis.

Now I am very curious about your take:

How would you handle this type of case? Finding a fair way to help this person develop while not overprotecting.

And if some people already have experience in managing this type of situation, I would love to hear more about it!

Lawo

I've started with LAWO as a global Media Infrastructure Engineer but transitioned into the Academy in 2020.
 
As an Educational Architect, I play a crucial role in transforming the Lawo Academy to meet the evolving needs of the company and its product lines. Recognizing the necessity for a comprehensive educational program, I collaborated with subject matter experts to develop a Trainers Guide encompassing all product lines. This involved setting timelines, identifying contributors and stakeholders, and ensuring timely delivery of the content.
 
To address resource limitations and enhance the accessibility of trainings, I spearheaded the development of a cutting-edge learning platform and implemented remote training solutions. Understanding the importance of aligning the academy's mission and vision with the company's strategic outcomes, I harnessed modern technology and agile work methods to create a proof of concept over a weekend. This approach allowed for rapid experimentation and adaptation, resulting in successful outcomes.
 
The proof of concept received positive feedback, and we are currently preparing for the public launch of the platform. Throughout the development process, more than 350 trainees, including internal staff, partners, and clients, actively participated in testing and provided valuable feedback. This iterative approach enabled us to continually improve the platform and ensure its effectiveness.

Education Architect LAWO Academy - Freelance Consultant - CPTM

- Configuring and commissioning of V__Matrix/VSM for IP and Media Infrastructure setups (SMPTE2110)
- Creation of Media Infrastructure product documentation (NAV - V__Matrix - V__Line)
- Training for 2110 products
- Project management
- Academy support and training development

Project Engineer/Project manager - Educational Architect - Freelance consultant

- Configuring and commissioning of V__Matrix/VSM for IP and Media Infrastructure setups (SMPTE2110)
- Creation of Media Infrastructure product documentation (NAV - V__Matrix - V__Line)
- Training for these products

Project Engineer - SMPTE 2110 setups - Freelance consultant

SMPTE

As Education Director (Volunteer Role), I support the efforts of Maja Davidovic (Director of Education), Cristina Clapp (Professional Development Program Manager), and Polly Hickling (Vice President of Education) in driving impactful education initiatives and professional development programming for our community.

Education Director

VIDEO MEETS LIGHT

Video Meets Light is a international working consulting company for audiovisual support, engineering, photography and business management services. 

As the CEO of Video Meets Light bv, I went on an extraordinary odyssey in the realm of audiovisual consulting and services. With a solid foundation in the vibrant event industry, I honed my craft as a skilled cameraman, editor, and engineer, immersing myself in the captivating world of audiovisual production.
 
Under my leadership, Video Meets Light flourished, catering to esteemed clients like WWE, Tennis Channel, Studio 100, Tomorrowland and many more, delivering top-notch solutions that exceeded expectations.
 
Guided by a global mindset, I expanded our operations across borders, forging strategic alliances with industry giants such as EVS and LAWO, solidifying our position as a trusted partner in the ever-evolving audiovisual landscape.
 
This transformative journey not only fueled my professional growth but also allowed me to profound my passion for automotive history. I seized every opportunity on my business trips around the globe to immerse myself in remarkable car collections and prestigious events, enriching my understanding of this timeless industry. These encounters further nurtured my unwavering commitment to preserving and celebrating automotive heritage.

Specialized in live IP SMPTE2110, cloud and EVS workflows.

Member of Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE®) and Open Services Alliance for Media

Chief Executive Officer

Classic Car Collections Around the World

Discover the most beautiful car collections around the world through more then 40.000 pictures...

Embarking on a captivating photographic journey, I immersed myself in the world of classic car collections. Starting with the Mahy Collection in Belgium, I soon realized the immense value of expanding my knowledge and network. Eager to explore diverse collections worldwide, I embarked on a remarkable voyage, visiting renowned museums, prestigious concours events, and captivating tradeshows.
 
Through my lens, I captured the essence of automotive history and showcased it to enthusiasts across the globe. From the iconic Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and the breathtaking Blackhawk Museum in California to the renowned Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart and the fascinating BMW Museum in Munich, I documented the exceptional stories and treasures within these esteemed institutions.
 
In my photographic quest, I also had the privilege of visiting legendary locations like the Autoworld
Museum in Brussels, Belgium, and the fascinating Cité de l'Automobile/Schlumpf Collection in Mulhouse, France. These experiences allowed me to delve into the rich heritage of automotive excellence and foster connections with passionate collectors, curators, and enthusiasts from diverse cultural backgrounds.
 
Capturing the allure of classic car collections around the world, I shared my photography through various platforms of more than 260 collections and events, allowing enthusiasts and admirers to embark on virtual journeys through time and immerse themselves in the beauty of automotive craftsmanship.

Photographer

IMAGE4YOU bv

In the vibrant realm of Video Meets Light, a fortuitous encounter led me to forge a remarkable partnership with Chris De Paepe of IMAGE4YOU. Driven by a shared vision, I became a partner at IMAGE4YOU, igniting remarkable growth and transformation.
 
With a strategic mindset, we reimagined our business model, shifting from not-for-profit to value-driven. Showcasing our team's expertise, we demonstrated the unmatched value of working with IMAGE4YOU, charging market rates while ensuring sustainable margins and shared investments.
 
Expanding my role, I focused on financial management, ICT, and legal aspects. Embracing technology, we seamlessly transitioned to a cloud-based operation, enabling remote management from anywhere. We envisioned converting our facility company into a production house with a focus on creative storytelling.
 
An instrumental achievement was optimizing revenue and profit through streamlined payment cycles and strong relationships with freelancers and suppliers. Prioritizing prompt payments and prudent financial practices, we weathered the pandemic's challenges and safeguarded success.
 
Championing accountability, I drove comprehensive ROI analyses and risk assessments for investments, aligning ventures with strategic goals and delivering tangible value.

In an evolving landscape and with 2 partners who wanted to exit, we made the bold decision to close IMAGE4YOU and IMMO4YOU.
 
My journey at IMAGE4YOU honed leadership acumen, strategic acuity, and financial stewardship.

ICT & Financial Manager - Managing Partner ( CIO - CFO )

EVS Broadcast Equipment

Joining EVS was a transformative chapter in my career, driven by a vision to revolutionize tapebased workflows and embrace the tapeless future. Recognising the cost-saving potential of tapeless recorders, 
I developed an Excel calculator to showcase their advantages, revealing significant savings for productions with over five cameras.
 
Impressed by my findings, EVS invited me to test their innovative entertainment product and present it at industry trade shows. This opportunity paved the way for me to become a key trainer within the EVS Academy, specialising in entertainment and news workflows.
 
In my role, I spearheaded the development of comprehensive course material, ensuring our training programs remained at the forefront of industry advancements. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in designing immersive demo scenarios, collaborating closely with marketing and product experts to showcase EVS's cutting-edge solutions. I also provided support to sales and pre-sales teams, conducting proof-of-concept initiatives and on-demand demos throughout North America.
 
My tenure at EVS was defined by a relentless pursuit of innovation, a commitment to excellence, and a deep dedication to customer satisfaction. I bring with me a wealth of experience in transformative technologies, a global perspective shaped by diverse cultures, and an unwavering passion to drive the automotive industry to new horizons of success.

Trainer & Engineering Consultant

Cars in Cinema

- Suggesting possible television and movie featured cars for the exhibition.
- Research on the history of the cars.
- Tracking down the possible vehicles and their current owners/location.
- Online & Social Media startup.
- Curating automotive and movie related expo elements

Automotive & Audiovisual Consultant

Videohouse

- Canal+ voetbal
- Klara "Plankenkoorts"
- Europeese Top
- VRT/RTBF BK Veldlopen Oostende
- Concert Nekkerhal Mechelen
- Puzzeltijd, VT4, Vijftv, Star Academy, 
- Chef tech CallTV Endemol
- De klas van Frieda, LSM operator
- ....

This client is now serviced by Video Meets Light BVBA

Freelance video engineer

Outside Broadcast

- Veldrijden
- Big Brother
- Canal+ Voetbal
- Atletiek Stade de France Parijs
- Sinterklaas komt aan in Oostende ...
- Bluf
- Zamu Awards
- Nachtwacht
- ...

This client is now serviced by Video Meets Light BVBA

DB Video

- DVD M-Kids Sportpaleis
- Canvas Villa Politica (Chef-techniek)
- Seat Beachrock
- TMF Clublife
- Red Bull zeepkisten
- Jim-TV Night'Clubbing
- Zamu Awards 2003
- Red Bull Flugtag
- Europeese Top
- 11 jaar Radio Donna Brabanthal (Chef-techniek)
- ... .

This client is now serviced by Video Meets Light BVBA

Seasoned media and entertainment consultant with a passion for driving innovation through technology. Equipped with 20+ years of industry experience across editorial, engineering, vendor, and consulting roles. My background spans the full production pipeline - from camera operator to implementing enterprise workflows.

Since 2009, I have focused on training customers and advising media facilities on optimizing workflows. My global work has allowed me to develop solutions tailored to local needs while transitioning teams to modern ways of working. I thrive on listening to challenges and devising creative solutions that tangibly improve operations.

My multi-cultural exposure from working across 5 languages enables effective collaboration worldwide. 
I balance my professional drive with a background in hospitality and intrest in classic cars - valuing service and craftsmanship in all pursuits. At the core, I simply pursue excellence and enable others to achieve it.

taplio

The Battle

Reggy-Charles Degen

Wim Van Roy - CPTM - MBA

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taplio

The Battle

Reggy-Charles Degen

Wim Van Roy - CPTM - MBA

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Reggy-Charles Degen's LinkedIn Performance

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