BvdV Advocaten & Fiscalisten: A Progressive Legal Firm

The RenDanHeYi model, developed by Haier Group CEO Zhang Ruimin in 2005, is revolutionary management philosophy aimed at transforming traditional hierarchical corporate structures into highly adaptive, customer-centric ecosystems. Rooted in the belief that employees (Ren) and their entrepreneurial capabilities should align with customer needs (Dan) to create value, the model emphasizes individual accountability and dynamic organizational roles (HeYi). By dismantling conventional silos, the RenDanHeYi model fosters a network of autonomous micro-enterprises within the larger corporate entity, transforming the organization into a nimble startup factory.

To develop and share the idea of Zero Distance and its broader management philosophy of RenDanHeYi, Haier hosts an annual forum to celebrate the world's most progressive organizations. This September marks the 8th edition of the forum, taking place in Haier’s hometown, Qingdao, on September 20. Working with the Business Ecosystem Alliance and the Management Lab, the Haier Model Institute will release the inaugural listing of the progressive companies which are putting Zero Distance and related ideas into practice.

These organizations are characterized by:

• Zero Distance to customer | Decision what to build is based on insights from the marketplace

• Autonomy | Small teams with full decision-making autonomy enable speed in execution

• Shared Rewards | Everyone in the micro-enterprise participates in its financial success

For the 2024 inaugural ZeroDX awards, Haier approached us to list 50 self-managed organizations that showcase the principles of RenDanHeYi in how they organise their work. BvdV is one of the 50 organisations we listed this year.

Introducing BvdV

Founded in 2006, BVDV Advocaten & Fiscalisten is a distinguished law and tax consultancy firm based in Utrecht, Netherlands. The founders of the company established it with a clear vision in mind - to sustain high professional standards while allowing for a more enterprising approach to work and removing all the red tape. At its core, BVDV aims to cut complexity in the legal profession and, where possible, give priority to simplicity and trust.

The firm employs around 25 professionals and is known for its innovative approach to legal and fiscal services. Specializing in corporate law, tax law, employment law, and insolvency law, BVDV differentiates itself through its commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, as evidenced by its B Corporation certification. ​

BvdV is a prime example of RenDanHeYi in the legal services industry. Every lawyer communicates directly with the end - customer, working to craft a tailor-made solution to their needs; decision-making is distributed among team members and every employee receives 50% of their billings above the break-even point.

Organizational Structure

BVDV operates with a non-hierarchical, democratic organizational structure. From its inception, the firm adopted a model inspired by Brazilian entrepreneur Ricardo Semler. This self-managed approach encourages all employees to participate in decision-making processes, ensuring that every team member has a voice in the direction of the firm. Monthly meetings are held to discuss and decide on various issues, from hiring to setting salaries, fostering a culture of radical transparency and collaboration​.

Customer Centricity and Autonomy

BVDV places a strong emphasis on customer centricity by empowering its employees to engage directly with clients and make autonomous decisions. Lawyers at BVDV set their own hourly rates and work closely with clients to tailor solutions to their specific needs. This autonomy ensures that employees can respond swiftly and effectively to client concerns, enhancing satisfaction and building long-term relationships. The firm’s focus on reducing costs rather than maximizing turnover allows for more flexible and client-oriented service delivery.

Internal Culture and Employee Engagement

The internal culture at BVDV is built on principles of trust, ownership, and work-life balance. The firm operates on a four-day workweek, which is designed to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Employees work a maximum of 1120 billable hours annually, ensuring that they have ample time for personal development and rest. BVDV also implements a profit-sharing arrangement where employees receive half of their billings above the break-even point, promoting a sense of ownership and collective responsibility​

BVDV has also adopted a unique shareholder model where shares are not bought or sold but are earned based on contribution and commitment to the firm. In order to offer every employee an equal opportunity to succeed, BVDV has chosen to limit the period of share ownership to 13 years, thus safeguarding promotion opportunities for all. After all, employees must have a realistic shot at share ownership, which, in turn, means that talent is kept in house. All of this goes towards ensuring innovation and continuity, both for the firm and its clients.

Conclusion

BVDV Advocaten & Fiscalisten stands out as a progressive law firm that combines innovative legal services with a strong commitment to its employees and clients. Its network organizational structure, customer-centric approach, and shared rewards fully align with the RenDanHeYi philosophy and allow BVDV to set new standards in the legal industry.