Plan.Net Group Global CEO Shares Plans for Global Expansion with New South African Plan.Net TechNest Hub
In a strategic move to bolster its global digital experience services, Serviceplan Group has launched internal service team provider Plan.Net TechNest in South Africa.
Positioned in Cape Town, the new hub will play a pivotal role in scaling the group’s UX/UI capabilities, drawing on the region's vibrant talent pool and advantageous time zone.
LBB’s Olivia Atkins speaks to Wolf Ingomar Faecks, global CEO of the group, to find out how the initiative aligns with Serviceplan's vision to expand its global footprint while leveraging local expertise and meeting growing client demands.
LBB> What are the primary strategic goals for establishing Plan.Net TechNest South Africa, and how does this expansion align with the overall global vision of the Serviceplan Group?
Wolf> Before we founded Plan.Net TechNest South Africa, we had already successfully collaborated on various customer projects with our existing network in the region. The location is advantageous due to the similar time zone, which enables smooth collaboration in virtual teams, as well as access to an existing talent pool — especially important given the current challenges in recruiting skilled workers in Europe and the US. With our new hub in South Africa, we can now scale our UX/UI services and deliver them internationally under the umbrella of 'Plan.Net TechNest'. This is a significant strategic expansion of our experience services, as our other TechNest subsidiaries focus primarily on providing technology services.
LBB> How will the collaboration between the Cape Town team and other international Plan.Net units be structured?
Wolf> The team in Cape Town will collaborate with all international units of our agency group to serve global customers. The central Plan.Net TechNest operations team will be responsible for steering and planning resources for Plan.Net TechNest South Africa. To make the hub in South Africa part of our overall group experience strategy, our experience design team in Cologne will provide strategic support. As managing partner of Plan.Net Cologne and managing director of Plan.Net TechNest South Africa, Jens Krahe is responsible for the content direction and ensures the optimal setup of the team.
LBB> What specific advantages does Cape Town offer in terms of digital creative talent and resources for Plan.Net TechNest to launch here?
Wolf> There is a palpable dynamism and a sense of new opportunity that is clearly present in South Africa. The combination of promising young talent that we aim to promote and attract through cooperation with various local universities, and immigrants coming to the country to study or work, bringing valuable connections to international markets, creates a fascinating melange. We encounter highly motivated people who want to make a difference and position themselves confidently on the global market.
LBB> What initiatives will Plan.Net TechNest South Africa undertake to attract and develop young talent, particularly in the highly competitive UX/UI sector?
Wolf> Employees at Plan.Net TechNest South Africa are integral to a globally integrated company, catering to a diverse clientele. This includes product development clients focused on UX/UI, as well as major international clients requiring experienced services combined with complex technical projects. Additionally, our work culture is defined by entrepreneurial values, empowering every employee to contribute significantly to our success. To further acquaint the team in Cape Town with our corporate culture, we offer them to visit our headquarters in Germany.
LBB> In what ways will the new South Africa location contribute to scaling up and expanding Plan.Net’s UX/UI services, and what impact do you expect this to have on the client base?
Wolf> The establishment of our new hub in South Africa marks an expansion of our capabilities in the experience sector, responding to increasing client demand. Previously, we've successfully implemented customer projects leveraging our network of UX/UI designers. Drawing on this expertise and market insights, we're now creating a base for local talent, thereby strengthening our global footprint in the UX/UI domain.
LBB> How does Plan.Net plan to build and sustain a cross-border infrastructure that facilitates effective collaboration and delivers outstanding digital experience services to clients globally?
Wolf> As the Plan.Net Group, we act as a one delivery network: on the one hand, we have a strong headquarters infrastructure in Germany, and on the other hand, our international collaboration teams under the umbrella of Plan.Net TechNest. Combined with the expertise of our local experts, this setup helps us to deliver services in a coordinated way across all markets. Plan.Net TechNest South Africa is another building block to further expand this network and extend it to experience services.
