Our "In Conversation With" series offers a behind-the-scenes look at life at emerchantpay, showcasing the diverse career journeys of our amazing team. In this edition, we delve into the exciting world of International Business Development through the perspective of Robert van Vuure, our SVP of International Business Development.
In the following Q&A, Robert walks us through his role, and his approach to ensuring that clients have the best possible experience.
Can you tell us about your journey at emerchantpay?
My journey in the payments industry began when I joined one of the first payment processors in the Netherlands, a company established by a group of acquaintances. Over the years, I gained valuable experience across various departments, building a strong foundation in business development.
In December 2013, I joined emerchantpay, drawn by its international focus and the opportunity to work with multi-national teams on innovative cross-border solutions. Since then, I have built a wealth of experience by working across several departments, enabling me to build a solid skillset for business development. What drew me to emerchantpay was its international focus. It combines my passion for collaborating with multi-national teams and my drive to develop innovative solutions for cross-border clients.
How would you describe your role as SVP International Business Development?
emerchantpay’s mission is to build a global payment ecosystem that seamlessly connects businesses and consumers worldwide. The task of the international business development unit is to enable and support that mission.
Specifically, international business development is multifaceted and involves laying the groundwork for our company’s expansion into new markets. The role also involves coordinating with various stakeholders within the company, from the management team to the product teams, ensuring that the global expansion aligns with our strategic goals.
No two days are ever the same in my role at emerchantpay. I work alongside a talented group of dedicated professionals, each focused on specific regions. My position involves extensive travel, often taking me far beyond the Netherlands and frequently into the dynamic markets of Asia. Immersing myself in diverse cultures and adapting to local nuances is not only essential to my work but also one of the most rewarding aspects. Every trip brings new perspectives and unique challenges, and that variety keeps the role both engaging and inspiring.
What would you say is the most exciting part of your job?
The most exciting part of my job is the international aspect and the continuous evolution of the payments landscape. In the early days, the pace of change was almost impossible to keep up with. With changing regulations across different regions, there are greater complexities to navigate today which is another reason why the industry keeps evolving and remains interesting, no two days are alike in payments. Innovations like digital wallets and payment methods such as Pix in Brazil have significantly shifted the way payments are processed, completely transforming the world of payments.
The dynamic nature of the payments ecosystem ensures continuous learning and provides the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from highly diverse backgrounds. I thrive on change, and in this industry, there is plenty of it, which presents both a challenge and a source of excitement.
What personal qualities or skills have been instrumental in your success?
There are several skills you need for international business development, one of the key skills in this line of work is adaptability. The payments industry is ever-changing, with new technologies and regulations constantly emerging. It’s advantageous to know how the industry operates in general, alongside various understanding of local market conditions and regulations. This will allow you to understand what your options are if you need to quickly pivot and adjust strategies.
There’s also the stakeholder management side, which requires strong organisational skills, communication skills and open-mindedness. You need to be a good negotiator, which requires you to be able to be a good decision-maker to balance various stakeholder requirements and find solutions.
Moreover, the role covers a wide range of areas, from operations, legal and compliance, to product, so being an all-rounder is highly beneficial. This multi-layered approach allows me to connect and align the varied priorities of different teams. As a result, I can ensure that our global expansion efforts are both feasible and aligned with the company’s overall mission.
What three words would you use to describe emerchantpay?
I would say family, growth and diversity. emerchantpay has a strong sense of family. Many of my colleagues have been here for a long time, and we’ve built strong relationships over the years. The work environment is supportive, and it’s easy to communicate and collaborate across different departments.
Growth because the company is always evolving, both in terms of our global reach and the development of our services. There’s a strong focus on growth, not just in expanding into new markets, but also in personal and professional development.
Working at emerchantpay means interacting with people from all over the world. The diversity of cultures, languages, and perspectives is something I truly appreciate and find enriching in my day-to-day work.
How do you keep your team inspired and motivated to reach new heights in their performance?
In any team, maintaining motivation is all about clear communication and shared goals. I make it a point to ensure that everyone understands the larger vision we’re working towards and how their contributions fit into that vision.
Regular check-ins and open discussions help in addressing any challenges and keeping everyone aligned. Celebrating small wins and acknowledging each person’s efforts also goes a long way in keeping the team motivated.
Do you have a favourite book, podcast or other educational material that has been especially helpful for your career?
My all-time favourite books are the Rama series written by Arthur Clarke, about humanity’s first encounter with extra-terrestrial civilisations and the Memoires of Hadrian, beautifully written by Marguerite Yourcenar. In this book the Roman emperor Hadrian looks back on his life.
I constantly learn from the people I meet and the experiences I gain in different countries and cultures. The payments industry is incredibly dynamic and much of what I’ve learned has come from being on the ground, dealing with real-world challenges and opportunities. That said, I do keep up with industry news and trends through various online publications and forums, which help me stay informed about the latest developments.
For daily and weekly Payment Systems news, I follow Payments, Cards & Mobile, PaymentsJournal and The Paypers. These journals keep me updated with the current fintech industry trends.
Robert’s story – using a multi-faceted business approach to tap into new markets
Robert’s unique focus on long-term business expansion and building strategic business relationships has enabled emerchantpay to support more clients worldwide. His solution-orientated and extensive experience across multiple business areas has helped teams explore untapped business development opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
Stay tuned for the next part of our “In Conversation” blogs!
Did Robert’s experience inspire you to become a member of our emerchantpay family? Explore our open roles and join our vibrant team today!