Global Kinetics

Overview

Headquartered in The Netherlands (Amsterdam periphery), Global Kinetics BV (GK) is a Dutch professional services firm that works with American companies desiring to develop and/or enhance their sales in the European marketplace. Effectively, GK is an international accelerator enabling US companies to quickly penetrate European markets, scale operations, and compete in the EU as a European entity to increase sales, access new markets, build market share, and brand awareness; all while increasing shareholder value.

GK has a unique, competitive advantage because it offers immediate access to a European Ecosystem and existing professional network. GK takes the complex and daunting task for US companies wanting to do business in Europe and walks them through a logical, phased process of internationalization. No full-service consulting firm currently offers this suite of services to US small and medium-sized businesses. These businesses can now compete with their larger counterparts because GK ‘levels the playing field’ by removing the complex barriers of internationalization that keep smaller US companies from competing in EU markets. GK understands the obstacles that companies face when expanding into Europe and works with clients to minimize their risk and maximize their return on investment. This is especially important when company investors expect rapid expansion, product life cycles are short, and time to market is critical. These variables are inherently found in the technology, software, industrial, military (defense contracting), and the consumer goods industries. GK’s services are also important for companies that want to sell to various European country governments, NATO, or local governmental municipalities and are required to be a legal EU entity to bid and propose on such contracts.

GK assists companies with the creation and execution of all aspects of business in Europe including sales and marketing strategies, management of sales people, operations scaling, and full business development for legally operating in the EU as a European company. For legal and tax purposes, this can give a US company a significant advantage when comparing to other non-European, US, or foreign based companies competing in Europe. By acting as an extension of a company’s management team, GK works with small to medium-sized companies to help them realize their sales potential in the European marketplace. GK also hires, manages, and deals with all aspects of the complex European labor laws. The firm has developed a European ecosystem of professionals in Sales/Marketing, Manufacturing, Distribution, Accounting, Human Resources (HR), and Taxation to eliminate costly mistakes. It also works with governmental agencies in the EU to ensure that American companies are afforded all of the tax and financial incentives that the EU has to offer. GK works closely with clients to navigate the complexities of the European marketplace.

GK’s business strategy focuses on providing innovative and cost-effective Go-To-Market solutions for companies wanting to increase their sales in Europe. Initially, GK will work on strategy alongside a company’s sales and marketing division executives, then execute on activities that provide immediate impact. The ultimate goal is to prepare a company for incorporation into the European marketplace, as well as operational independence. This is often referred to as “graduation”.

Because bandwidth of GK’s key executives is valuable, GK tries to find the best companies to work with and ones that strategically play a role in GK’s growth. To mitigate the risk of failure and maximize success, GK carefully and thoroughly vets clients and opportunities. This means that GK will pursue clients with aligned interests and not sub-optimal opportunities. This process is vital, as it allows GK to identify prospects with the highest probability of success, which will yield the highest return on investment for its employees and investors.

GK has chosen The Netherlands for entering the EU and as a primary incorporating location for US clients because of The Netherlands’ many strategic, geographical, and tax advantages over other European countries. With a supportive corporate tax structure, a highly-educated, multilingual workforce, and a superior logistics and technology infrastructure, The Netherlands offers companies a perfect climate to compete successfully in Europe. It is also a very cost-effective environment. When comparing to London, The Netherlands has equally qualified professionals, executive employees, and office space at about 75% of the costs in London.

Executive Team

Rob Meyer

Rob Meyer

VP Europe, Global Kinetics

Rob Meyer is well known within the European software distribution industry and Top 500 European Enterprises. Rob was involved with the first Apple shipments in Europe and the initial distribution of Microsoft, Quark, Adobe, Aldus, Letraset software and AGFA, Linotron, Compugraphic hardware products within Europe. Rob was an early European proponent of PostScript Image setters, which helped rapidly advance the growth of the digital publishing industry. Rob then joined Adobe where he became known as the “fiery ambassador of the Adobe acrobat PDF workflow” by his customers and the press. Within his eight years at Adobe, Meyer held a number of leading and senior positions in European marketing and product development—both at Adobe Europe in Amsterdam, Holland, and in Edinburgh, Scotland.

After his work at Adobe Systems, Rob Meyer joined LizardTech, where he was responsible for the overall sales and marketing activities of LizardTech’s product lines in the EMEA market. He set up the EMEA matrix organization with branch offices in Munich, Paris, London and Amsterdam. “We were very fortunate to have Meyer heading up our European operations,” said John Grizz Deal, LizardTech’s former president and CEO. “He is extremely well-respected within the industry and by the European community for his business and product expertise.” Throughout his career, Meyer has been an advocate of intelligent, next generation technologies. He sees the roles they play and how significant technologies can truly alter the way people think about their world. Meyer is a frequent speaker at trade events regarding European Imports and Exports and Marketing opportunities and is frequently found investigating breathtaking new technologies to find an angle to help get these technologies off the ground.

Ken Levandoski

Ken Levandoski

Executive Director, Marketing & Alliances

Ken brings extensive experience from both the private and government sectors pertaining to business development, project management, internet presence, marketing strategy, and organizational structuring.

A University of Notre Dame Business School graduate, with over 30+ years experience focusing on; business development, program/project management, marketing/branding, and organizational analysis with focus on “high concept and high touch”. Ken works with all levels of organizations, specifically advancing: strategic vision, marketing & brand positioning, and growing/nurturing the “entrepreneurial spirit”. Ken’s real world business experience, combined with the ability to creatively and empathetically organize, manage, and communicate, makes him an valuable asset to the executive team.

Ken continues to serve on several Boards of Directors in various industries, and has assisted over a hundred businesses with their strategic visions. He has held positions as CTO for an International Museum Reproduction company, Director of Business Development for a International Simulation company, Senior Systems Analyst with Lockheed Martin, and has Founded and Directs an International Soccer Non-Profit Organization. Ken continues to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in any size organization, helping them grow and reach their true potential.

Nic Smith CMC, FIC

Nic Smith CMC, FIC

Senior Management Staff, Global Kinetics

Nic is a management consultant with a over 25 years experience partnering with executive and management teams of global organizations to improve their decision making and build the capabilities within their organizations. He facilitates planning and decision making sessions, develops leaders and specializes in working across cultures. Originally from the UK he has worked in over 30 counties with blue-chip organizations such as: AT&T, Sun Microsystems, Symantec, Smiths Group PLC, Novell, QUALCOMM, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Schott Solar, FedEx, Revlon, Max Factor, Starbucks, Halifax Building Society, Grant Thornton, Philips and Origin BV. He obtained his BA honors degree from the University of East Anglia in England and holds a post-graduate Diploma in Management Studies from Norwich College, also in England. He is a Certified Management Consultant, a Fellow of the Institute of Consultants in London, a member of the Institute of Management Consultants in the US and a member of the International Coaching Federation. He has lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico since 1992, and outside of work most of his spare time is spent involved in soccer where he is President of the Santa Fe Adult Soccer League; the Santa Fe Soccer Complex and part-time Executive Director for Northern Soccer Club in Santa Fe.

Dr. Lee Caperton

Dr. Lee Caperton

Senior Advisor Board, Biomedical

Dr. Caperton spent his undergraduate years at Vanderbilt University and ultimately at the University of Colorado where he received his degree in Chemical Engineering. He focused on bio-engineering systems, molecular biology, biotechnology, and reverse osmosis techniques. His love and expertise in bioengineering led him to pursue a doctorate in clinical medicine. In his Residency, Fellowship, and tenure as a Faculty member at the University of Texas, he dedicated his research efforts to molecular mechanisms. Dr. Caperton developed, with a team of world-class biologists, the areas first stem cell center and primate embryology basic science facility.

One of a small group of clinicians published in the Proclamations of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Caperton extensively evaluated the effects of assisted reproduction on molecular genetic mechanisms, publishing the first article on epigenetic alterations in primate models. Dr. Caperton spent years heading his laboratory that performed all forms of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms.

Dr. Caperton owns, with partner Jason Merkoski, a cutting edge technology company focusing on human interaction, communication, and the evolution of social networking.

Dr. Caperton is also the owner of Caperton Fertility Clinics, one of the nation’s leading fertility centers.

Take Your Company Global

Global Kinetics is an international accelerator enabling US companies to quickly penetrate European markets, scale operations, and compete in the EU as a European entity to increase sales, access new markets, build market share, and brand awareness; all while increasing shareholder value.