[:en]We start the year by interviewing our Executive General Director, Hernán Pérez Lovisolo, a utopian man who, at the time of his death in 2004 co-founded WORKOUT EVENTS, with the clear objective of professionalizing the personnel in the events sector, a company that today is a benchmark and a reference for service to more than 1,500 companies nationwide.
As a leader?
Those who know Hernán know that more than a boss, he is an example to follow, highlighting his involvement, perseverance, determination, as well as an innate gift for negotiation and great commercial skills.
The line that divides his personal life from his professional life is so thin that there is no doubt: everything that involves workout (clients, employees, suppliers, etc) is his true PASSION!!!!
In this interview Hernán reveals his dreams, his goals for 2020 and his history in the events sector… Let’s get to know him!
THE PERSON BEHIND THE ENTREPRENEUR
What made you become an entrepreneur? Has anyone inspired you?
I have always had a great attraction for the entrepreneurial world and although I have not had a clear reference, I consider that any entrepreneur, regardless of the size of his project, deserves all my respect and admiration (especially the “self-made” ones).
What do you think? Are entrepreneurs born or made?
I identify much more with the term “entrepreneur” than with the term businessman.
For me, the meaning of entrepreneur goes beyond that and implies everything that lies behind it: work, effort, endless nights, and a long etc.
As for the other question, I believe that an entrepreneur is born and an entrepreneur is made.
What qualities do you think an entrepreneur should have?
- Constancy, self-confidence, determination and the basic component…Passion!
- Basically, a total commitment, since, for an entrepreneur, the line that delimits the professional from the personal is so thin that it practically does not exist.
Tell us about your career path before WORKOUT
I started very young working in this sector of events and doing everything…. loading and unloading, driver, security, promoter, etc. … something that allowed me to have a great knowledge of the environment.
In parallel I graduated in Sales and Marketing Management, collaborated in various marketing/sales departments, then spent a few years in Uk getting to work in the City of London at The CWC Group, where we organized conferences for the energy sector worldwide.
I returned to Spain in 2004 and after working in the advertising area of the Prisa Group carrying corporate media, I started, together with my partner and friend, the project that today is Workout.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced? A situation that has put you to the test!
In general, the challenges we have gone through at Workout Events I remember with nostalgia and affection.
For example, the 2009 crisis was a challenge for Workout. Turnover decreased significantly, delinquencies increased and therefore, we had to be agile in making difficult decisions to restructure the project.
It was a really complicated time, we suffered a lot, but we also learned a lot.
What is the virtue you value most about yourself and the one that has gotten you where you are?
- Absolute commitment and involvement.
- Passion for what you do… It is fundamental to succeed in life!
How do you visualize yourself in 5 years?
Well, that would be 20 years of Project Workout and my 50th … a good number! Haha
I see myself achieving many of those goals that we have wanted to achieve for years, true to who we are, and at the same time innovating in what we do.
I am sure we are going to make it, plus we will all have 5 more years of experience and a lot more to contribute.
HIS LIFE, HIS PROJECT
Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur and opt for the events sector?
I honestly don’t know if it was a decision, I think the circumstances of my life led me to be one, and although I have dedicated myself to other professional activities, the events sector has a great attraction to me, hence I dedicate myself professionally to it.
What was your original goal?
I have always thought that “if you are able to dream it, you are able to do it.”
… but in 2004, 15 years ago, I don’t think we were aware of what we were dreaming ha,ha… of what thanks to the team we have been able to create and of what we are today.
What do you consider to be the most important thing when it comes to running a company?
That the team believes you are the best person to lead it.
It is important to lead and not “command”, this is achieved when the team is able to understand most of the decisions that are made and when they are clear that the objectives are common.
Why WORKOUT?
One of the definitions of the anglicism is “Working together to solve a problem” … it is clear why, as this is what we do every day, collaborating with many clients in their projects, which we feel as our own.
With what three words would you define WORKOUT?
For me it is a dream, a daily lesson and my life.
And as for the perception I would like people to have of Workout, it is that we are honest, professional and involved in the event industry.
What do you value most in the work of your employees?
All the work they unconditionally contribute every day and , above all, that they feel the project as their own.
What do you think determines the success of a company in the event industry?
These factors apply not only to a company in the event industry, but to any company in the event industry….
Seriousness, involvement and teamwork.
If you were to go back in time, would you change any decision you made regarding WORKOUT?
With the experience of these 15 years, maybe some different decision I would make, but not a really significant one. We have always we have bet on the sustainable growth of the project and exclusively in the area of personnel, something that I believe is part of our philosophy and why we have come this far.
How is WORKOUT facing 2020/2021 and what are your goals?
Digitize the company and be able to provide much more service, especially by improving control and management.
SERVICE IN THE EVENTS AND TECHNOLOGY SECTOR: 2 COMPATIBLE THEMES
How does a service company in the events sector experience the digital era?
Because of our type of activity, digitization is a tool that allows us to better manage the project, it does not compete with us, on the contrary, it helps us to improve our processes.
For 2020, will there be any technological changes in WORKOUT?
We have many projects aimed at streamlining internal and external processes. The objective is to provide the client with information in a more agile and simple way.
WE WANT TO KNOW A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOU…
What is your main daily motivation to remain at the helm of a company?
Believe in the project!
I have had bad days and very bad days, but I have never wanted to throw in the towel.
In a word, how would you define your past, present and future?
- Past – experience
- Present – Today, the only thing!
- Future – Continue to enjoy and be happy
What does …mean to you?
- Commitment: Involvement
- Teamwork: Basic
- Living: Enjoying
- Partnership: Necessary
- Success: Being happy
- Punctuality: Mandatory
Your favorites…
- Book: Management and business books
- Hobbies: Sports, boxing, skiing, scuba diving, movies and traveling
- Music: I like everything in general, I usually listen to a lot of music.
- Food: Mmmmmm I like everything, except tripe.
- Color: Blue
- Number: 7
- Superstition: If salt falls, throw it over my shoulders.
- Hobby: I am extremely tidy
- City you would like to go to: Sidney
- A historical figure: Hernán Cortés? Haha…
- Series: Suits
- Movie: Midnight Express
AND TO CLOSE WITH A FLOURISH
Which phrase do you like the most?
I love the phrases, just to mention one:
When nothing is certain, everything is possible…
Hernán, thank you very much for letting us know more about you![:]
