The Power of Communication: Luciano de Vries on Customer Relations and Team Management

Effective communication can be the difference between success and failure — particularly when it comes to business. Few understand this better than Luciano de Vries, whose entrepreneurial journey across multiple industries has been marked by a keen focus on the power of clear, purposeful dialogue. From customer relations to team management, de Vries’ approach to communication offers valuable lessons for business leaders at all levels.

For de Vries, the foundation of strong customer relations lies in a deep understanding of the customer’s perspective. “To understand their paradigm from their perspective, from their issue, from their life or business, how it goes. Because otherwise you will not completely understand the issue,” he explains. This empathetic approach allows de Vries and his team to truly listen to client feedback and respond in ways that create value for both the customer and the business.

Luciano de Vries: The Art of Listening

De Vries emphasizes that gathering information from customers isn’t just about asking questions or conducting surveys. It’s about engaging in genuine dialogue. “I think the best thing is if you talk to people, just try to understand their point, where they come from, where the issue is, and not only looking from your own perspective,” he advises.

But customer communication is just one piece of the puzzle. De Vries is equally passionate about the importance of clear communication within his own staff. As his businesses have grown, he’s had to adapt his style to manage larger, more diverse workforces.

One key lesson de Vries has learned is the importance of empowering his leadership team to communicate effectively. “We hired more professionals to go in the roles of, in this case, managing director, finance director, legal director,” he shares. This transition required de Vries to step back and allow these managers to establish their own channels with their crews.

Transparency and Trust

Luciano de Vries believes in encouraging an environment of transparency and trust with open dialogue at all levels of the organization, recognizing that good ideas can come from anywhere. This approach improves decision-making while boosting employee engagement and satisfaction.

However, de Vries is quick to point out that effective communication isn’t always about more talking. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to listen and when to step back. “If they go behind the back of the managing and finance sector toward me, then they lose their power, their function, everything,” he notes, emphasizing the importance of respecting hierarchies to maintain organizational effectiveness.

De Vries sees challenges and opportunities for business communication. He’s a strong advocate for embracing new tools, particularly artificial intelligence, to enhance processes. “If you don’t implement it in your day-to-day business, then you’ll lose the battle big time,” he warns. However, he also stresses that technology should complement, not replace, human interaction.

‘More Quality of Life’

De Vries anticipates a growing emphasis on quality of life and personal experiences in business communications — and he’s all in. “I do see people wanting to have more quality of life, which means physical things,” he observes. This trend, he believes, will require businesses to communicate in more holistic, lifestyle-oriented ways with both customers and employees.

The key takeaways from Luciano de Vries’ philosophy are clear: Listen more than you speak, strive to understand diverse perspectives, empower your team to communicate effectively, embrace technological tools while valuing human interaction, and always be ready to adapt your communication style as your business evolves.

As the business sector increasingly goes more global and digital, de Vries’ focus on the human element of communication is refreshing and vital. It reminds us that at its core, business is about people — their needs, their aspirations, and their relationships. By prioritizing clear, empathetic communication, leaders can build stronger customer relationships, more effective teams, and ultimately, more successful businesses.

As de Vries continues to explore new ventures and adapt to changing market dynamics, one thing remains constant: his belief in the power of communication to drive business success. For aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business leaders alike, this commitment to effective dialogue offers a valuable lesson. In business, as in life, how we communicate can be just as important as what we say.