Leading with innovation: Bisly welcomes new Chief Commercial Officer from Schneider 

October 31, 2024
Image - Leading with innovation: Bisly welcomes new Chief Commercial Officer from Schneider 

The focus on creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly real estate market has paved the way for the rapid growth of smart building automation solutions not only in Europe but globally. To ensure we are keeping up and expanding with the market whilst continuously improving our product, we are passionate about growing our team and bringing on more forward-thinking and innovative people. 

We are beyond delighted to share that last week Bisly welcomed its new Chief Commercial Officer Eric Haitjema to the team. Bringing along decades worth of experience in account management, sales, and business development, Eric is a long-anticipated addition to our team.  

Hailing from the Netherlands, Eric has worked in various corners of the globe, gaining vast experience from multiple industries, roles, and markets. He sees challenges as opportunities for growth and is never afraid to tackle hurdles head on. Eric knows how to lead teams to success and believes that no target is too big to reach. 

We recently sat down with Eric to learn more about him and find out what about working with Bisly he’s most excited about.  

Without further ado, here’s all you should know about our latest addition. 

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself. 

I initially graduated from university  as an electrical engineer. Since then, my career has included starting and scaling businesses, hiring and training successful sales teams, and leading them to achieve ambitious targets. I´m a confident and emphatic leader with over 25 years of experience in account management, sales, and business development. I believe in empowering people through trust and enablement while fostering an environment of self-ownership and high accountability. I challenge the status quo to reach goals and succeed, ensuring that things are done right on the first try. I’m competitive, people-focused, and passionate about building strong teams that are self-managed whilst still being  driven by a shared vision. 

2. How do you see your role in Bisly’s future success and what will be your main focus? 

As Bisly’s Chief Commercial Officer, I see my role as pivotal in driving the company’s commercial strategy and growth trajectory. My primary focus will be on expanding Bisly’s footprint in Germany and UK&I, while deepening relationships with our existing customers in the Baltic and Nordic countries. With my background in building and leading high-performing teams, I will work closely with our sales, marketing, and product teams to foster a culture of empowerment and accountability. It is my goal to ensure that Bisly continues to innovate and deliver cutting-edge solutions, positioning the company as a thought leader in the smart building and automation space. My ultimate goal is to drive sustainable growth while making Bisly a trusted global provider of affordable, innovative and easy-to-use automation solutions in the field of real estate. 

3. What excites you most about working with Bisly? 

I’d have to say it’s the opportunity to take the lead in a rapidly evolving industry. Bisly’s commitment to innovation in smart building technologies aligns perfectly with my personal passion for driving meaningful, impactful change. The combination of modern solutions and a hands-on focus on sustainability presents an inspiring challenge that I’m eager to tackle. I’m also excited to work with a young and talented team to contribute to Bisly’s expansion and help shape a smarter, more sustainable future for building operations. I hold fond memories of the early days of my career in Estonia and the Baltic region, and I have a deep appreciation for Tallinn — the beautifully situated medieval city that Bisly calls home. 

4. What will be your approach for driving Bisly’s sales? 

My main focus will be on identifying new business opportunities both locally in Estonia, its direct neighbouring countries, and specifically on market expansion in some of the West-European markets. I aim to build strong, trusting partnerships with end-users, system integrators and technology players, ensuring that we continue to meet their evolving needs. I will also prioritize expanding our client base by exploring new markets and segments where Bisly’s innovative solutions could make a significant impact. A key part of my strategy will be fostering a team culture based on self-ownership, where accountability and high performance drive results. By empowering my team and delegating authority, we’ll be able to move quickly and make the most of the opportunities presented, whilst continuously exceeding client expectations. 

5. What sets this role apart from your previous positions? 

Bisly presents a unique blend of technology and sustainability. I fully embrace the company’s motto of “building smarter, managing easier”. In my past roles, I focused on scaling businesses, but at Bisly, there is a greater mission — to create smarter, more sustainable environments. This focus on sustainability adds an important layer of purpose to my commercial work, allowing me to contribute to something that has both business and environmental impact. Leading a team in a space where innovation meets responsibility is an exciting opportunity and one that aligns with my competitive drive and focus on people. 

6. Where do you see Bisly making the biggest difference? 

I see Bisly having the biggest impact with its easy-to-use products, scalable set-up, and open-system architecture for the smart building automation segments. Simplification in all aspects isn’t easy, but will ultimately lead to a real cost-efficiency and a win-win for all involved parties. With the increasing global focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, Bisly’s innovative solutions provide scalable and practical answers to these challenges. The innovative products optimize building management systems, reduce energy consumption, and improve overall functionality, positioning Bisly as a leader in this space. By addressing both operational needs and long-term environmental goals, Bisly is well on its way  to making a difference in how buildings operate and contributing to a more sustainable future. 

7. What growth opportunities do you see for Bisly in Estonia and beyond? 

Estonia has proven to be a fertile breeding ground for startups and innovative companies. Its strong focus on digitalization and innovation creates a perfect environment for Bisly to thrive as a leader in smart building technologies. Estonia also provides the ideal platform to test and scale our solutions before expanding further into Europe. Beyond Estonia, there’s immense potential in the Nordic countries, UK&I, DACH, and Benelux countries, where sustainability and energy efficiency are also top priorities. Central- and Southern European markets also present significant opportunities as infrastructure development accelerates, and there’s a growing demand for smart, sustainable building solutions. I’m excited to help Bisly capitalize on these trends and expand its presence in new and existing markets.