About us

 

 


Your field of work has become a VUCA field, plagued by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. Change for the sake of change is all the rage, there are no more certainties, nothing is simple anymore and everything has become vague and ambiguous. This climate makes it increasingly difficult for you to implement strategic plans, to motivate people in the long term and to ensure the success of your projects.

That is where the Institute for Business Development comes in, as we have been developing the knowledge and talent of both individuals and organisations for over 20 years. We translate new concepts into useful training courses, guiding you through the change process that you as a business professional are faced with every single day.

And although knowledge and competences are more important than ever, you also need to invest in leadership today. That is why the Institute for Business Development offers you a complete package of training courses (both competence- and talent-oriented, focusing on tasks as well as on growth), each of them essential if you want to survive in this VUCA world. In our extensive range of training courses, creativity, co-creation and innovation always take centre stage.

  • The IFBD develops your business and works for your organisation rather than for individual employees.
  • The IFBD teaches participants to take on the roles of both mentor and mentee and to pass this knowledge on to colleagues, employees and management.
  • The IFBD recruits its expert trainers from organisations akin to your own. They all have an educational background and thorough knowledge of processes, systems, concepts and models, topped off with a good sense of humour.
  • The IFBD brings more than 550 open training courses to the Benelux market and develops 80+ new open programmes every year.
  • The IFBD has sufficient critical mass (200+ trainers and 9,000+ participants per year) to offer proven technology, thereby ensuring the quality and impact of the learning solutions.
  • The IFBD instils knowledge, talent and skills into your organisation, making them an integral part of your ‘muscle memory’ and that of your employees.

We transform you and your employees into sellers – not only of your products and services, but also of your vision, motivation and leadership.

Dirk Spillebeen – programme Director

We are here for you!

Dirk Spillebeen - Programme Director

Passionate about training since 1989, I founded the IFBD together with Anne in 1995. As Programme Director, I create and monitor our institute’s programme offer, always in consultation with our advisory board of experts. Together we are always on the lookout for new programmes and excellent trainers.

Anne Carlier - Directeur

With a background in Sales & Recruitment, I founded the IFBD together with Dirk in 1995. The two of us have been defining the strategy, marketing and content of our organisation for more than 24 years now.

Geert Naessens

I love paper and e-mail, especially all messages sent by our customers and trainers. As Office Manager, I take care of the administrative and financial customer journey, from registration to invoicing to sending out payment reminders. I also like to wrestle the planning and the schedules of our various trainers into submission.

Herman Frencken

As Marketing Manager, assisted by Jana, I am in charge of the complex communication processes for over 500 training courses per year. This involves both old-school printed materials and new digital channels.

Charlotte Lemahieu - Training Officer

As Training Officer, I make sure that you not only have a seat in the classroom, but that you also have the right documentation in front of you. I sign off on every folder, badge and syllabus, and I book all the hotels.

Janne Leupe - Training Assistant

They call me the administrative jack-of-all-trades… I take on various tasks to support our trainees and my colleagues. And yes, you might just reach me if you contact us by phone… Speak to you soon !

Hilde Tastenhoye - hostess

I am there to welcome you at the venue with your badge, name tag, syllabus … and of course a hot cup of coffee and a fresh croissant. It’s my pleasure to escort you personally to the right training room.

Véronique De Keyser - hostess

I ensure our customers get an impeccable welcome at the venue. I personally provide them with all the necessary items and course materials, and show them around the hotels where the IFBD’s teaching programmes take place.

Sandra Dattiches - hostess

I welcome and escort both participants and trainers of our workshops. If you have any questions about the programme, the accommodation, or if you are allergic to crustaceans … let me know and I will be happy to help you.

Ethel Vandenberghe - hostess

It’s my pleasure to welcome you to our training venues and to make sure that both you and the trainer can start the training without any stress. I ensure that the registration process goes smoothly.


How to register

You can sign up for our programmes in various ways:

  • Preferably through our website, ifbd.be, or via e-mail: info@ifbd.be
  • By regular mail: IFBD, Zeeweg 155 – 8200 Sint-Michiels (Bruges)
  • You can always register by phone, by calling the number +32 50 38 30 30. However, written confirmation will be needed.

Once we have received your registration, we will send you a confirmation of participation and an invoice. Approximately two weeks before the course you will receive a reminder with all practical information and directions.

When is your registration final? 

As soon as you receive confirmation of your registration, which should take no more than one week after your request, your reservation is final.

Invoicing

We will automatically send you an invoice, which should preferably be paid before the start of the training course, or by the due date mentioned on the invoice.

Participation fees

The amounts mentioned on the leaflets and on the website are always exclusive of VAT and any overnight stays, but they include hot and cold drinks and an ample lunch during the course day(s). You will also receive a documentation folder which you can consult as a reference. For several of our programmes you will also receive a set of books, included in the participation fee.

Multiple participants in the same programme

If you take part in this programme with several colleagues, you will receive an extra discount. On top of any Flemish Government subsidies you may be eligible for, the IFBD awards an extra discount of 5% on the total amount per extra participating colleague, with a maximum discount of 20% (= 5 participants or more).

Overnight stays

You can always opt to spend the night at the training venue, so that you can avoid stress and the lessons learned can sink in while you relax. The details of our partner hotels are listed below.

Cancellations

We understand that other priorities may arise between your registration and the training course. We will always be happy to welcome one of your colleagues in your place at no additional cost.

  • If you find that you will be unable to attend the training course more than two weeks in advance due to unforeseen circumstances, we ask you to contact us right away. We will then work together to find the best solution for you, and we can:
    • either cancel your registration
    • or move your registration to another date.
  • If you find that you will be unable to attend less than two weeks before the start of the training course, the full participation fee will be payable in any case. You can always send a colleague to attend the training in your place.

We may charge an administrative fee (max. € 95) to move or cancel your participation if you notify us less than 2 weeks before the training course.

It may happen at any time that we have to cancel a training course due to force majeure or unforeseen circumstances. In such case, we will contact you personally.

  • The IFBD is a 100% pure player and only offers training courses.
  • The IFBD organises over 550 unique open training courses each year.
  • The IFBD trains more than 9,000 professionals from the Benelux per year with its various training programmes.
  • The IFBD develops more than 80 new open training courses every year.
  • The IFBD employs 8 FTEs who work solely for you, the customer.
  • The IFBD provides training courses in 6 languages (Dutch, French, English, German, Spanish, Italian).
  • The IFBD organises training courses in 32 countries across Europe, Asia, the UAE, Africa and the United States.
  • The IFBD has built up a network of speakers consisting of more than 400 trainers.
  • The IFBD has received its 7th QFor quality label and is CEDEO certified.
  • The IFBD is 100% independent.
  • The IFBD has an average satisfaction rate of 92%.
  • The IFBD has experienced non-stop growth since its inception and has three branches (Bruges, Wavre and Utrecht).
  • The IFBD has trained 98 companies in the top 100.
  • The IFBD has trained 430 companies in the top 500.
  • The IFBD was founded in 1995 by Dirk Spillebeen and Anne Carlier.

The IFBD partnership with Te mana o te moana

Gerelateerde afbeeldingGerelateerde afbeelding

 

Since 2016, IFBD has been a partner of Te mana o te moana for the Sea turtle care center, for the conservation programs on Tetiaroa atoll and for the association’s education actions.

As part of this partnership, Te mana o te moana develops and runs educational programs for school children and creates awareness programs for the general public on turtle protection and more globally on environmental protection issues.

IFBD plays an important role in the association. Firstly at the financial level with the business partnership in place for nearly 4 years but also through Anne and Dirk, volunteers of the association that help in the daily care of the resident sea turtles of the Care center during their stay in French Polynesia (feeding of resident turtles, specific care, etc.).

A big thank you to the IFBD for its support!

 

 

What is the mission of Te mana o te moana?

For the past 15 years, Te mana o te moana has been acting for the protection of the Polynesian marine environment and more specifically sea turtles through actions of discovery, education and protection. The activities of the association are organized around  these 3 main domains.

1. Education with the creation of learning supports and the offering of educational programs and projects to raise awareness on the protection of the Polynesian marine environment.

– More than 90 000 kids educated on environmental concerns

Educative Marine Area Project reconducted in 2019

– Over 40 educational projects conducted on various themes: sea turtles, coral reefs, marine mammals, environmental protection, waste, etc.

– More than 40 educational supports created including 10 board games designed and manufactured

 

2. Sea turtles with the implementation of actions to understand, care for and protect the sea turtles of French Polynesia.

– in Moorea

More than 500 sick and injured sea turtles cared for in our Sea turtle care center in Moorea

More than 10 000 visitors per year visit Te mana o te moana and are educated on the importance of environmental and fauna protection

About 800 sea turtles are photo-identified and registered by our teams

– in Tetiaroa

More than 11,300 km covered by the teams of Te mana o te moana

Over 3,740 traces of emerging sea turtles inventoried with an estimate of more than 120,000 eggs laid

80 sick emerging sea turtles were transferred to the Care center in Moorea

 

3. The environment with the development and facilitation of participatory networks for collecting data combining science, nature and culture.

Implementation of the 1st participatory network in French Polynesia: Hei moana, the sentinels of the ocean on the observation and data collection on marine species

Coordination of the Reef Check network in French Polynesia

40 tons of waste collected during cleanup days

Close to 1 000 marine mammals observations

For more information on Te mana o te moana

Please visit us at www.temanaotemoana.org

or contact Dr. Cécile Gaspar – Executive Director

cecile.temana@gmail.com

For 8 years now, Te mana o te moana counts IFBD (Institute for Business Development), a company based in Bruges, Belgium, as one of its key supporters. Anne and Dirk, directors of the company, both regular volunteers during their visits to Polynesia, initially provided financial support for the sea turtle rehabilitation Center. This important support has enabled the Center to develop and broaden its scope of action. 

 

 

Since 2023, IFBD has supported the actions carried out by Te mana o te maona’s teams on Tetiaroa, particularly in terms of the green turtle scientific monitoring on the atoll. IFBD also financed the “Turtle container“, a new space enabling the teams to work more efficiently.

 

 

We would like to thank IFBD and Anne and Dirk for their constant support, their enthusiasm on every visit as well as their kindness. 

Mauruuru from the buttom of our hearts!

 

Cécile Gaspard  & Team

Founder, Director of Strategy and conservation programs Te Mana O Te Moana Foundation Veterinary Doctor, Doctor in marine ecology, MBA

Please contact us for more information