In the dynamic world of professional sports, everything revolves around speed and precision, both on and off the pitch. At FC Twente, behind the scenes they work just as hard on speed and precision by streamlining business processes. Jordy Lucassen, Sales Coordinator at FC Twente, explains how ValidSign helps them operate faster and eliminates time-consuming administrative tasks.
From paper stacks to a digital sprint
Jordy starts with how things used to work: "When I joined, we were still using a manual signing process. A single contract could easily run to nine or ten pages. That meant typing, printing, and having the management sign and initial every page. A massive and time-consuming job." This process was not only inefficient but also vulnerable to human error and delays, which in a fast-paced environment like football can have direct consequences for, say, a transfer or a sponsorship deal.
The switch to digital signing three years ago was therefore a logical step for an ambitious club like FC Twente. "We wanted to keep pace with major parties that were already working digitally, and sustainability also played a role," Jordy explains. They were looking for a reliable partner with a strong reputation, and they found it in ValidSign. Jordy continues: "We were able to replace the stacks of paper with digital documentation almost immediately. We now also use ValidSign for the entire HR department, so players, staff, volunteers, and on-call workers all sign with ValidSign for FC Twente."
The accelerator behind the scenes
The onboarding of ValidSign went seamlessly. "It was very easy and simple," Jordy says. "The consultant walked us through a hands-on presentation in about an hour. It was easy to understand for everyone and very accessible." This underscores the importance of a user-friendly interface when adopting new technologies within an organisation. What started with a small group of users for only commercial contracts has now grown to 13 users across various departments.
Digital signing has had a significant impact on the daily operations of FC Twente. Especially with player contracts, speed is crucial. Think of last-minute transfers where the ability to sign quickly and legally digitally can make the difference between securing a top player or missing out. But efficiency has also improved enormously for commercial agreements. With roughly 900 sponsorship agreements annually, it is essential to streamline processes. This means an enormous saving in administrative time and error reduction.
Jordy emphasises: "For a number of processes, we have a standard template. We only need to fill in a few things, and then it rolls out." This not only speeds up the handling of quotes and sponsorship agreements but also contributes to a professional image towards partners. The same applies to contracts with employees, volunteers, and procurement agreements.
More than just match days
FC Twente's speed is not limited to the pitch and contracts; it runs deep in the club's culture. Jordy describes the commercial department as a "flat" team full of young energy, where everyone "gives it their all" and works closely together. This dynamic atmosphere is essential, because the commercial department's tasks extend far beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch.
Besides the well-known skyboxes, business seats, and exposure opportunities, FC Twente organises a wide range of commercial activities. Think of complete hospitality concepts around matches and various activities on non-match days. The Meetings and Events department ensures the stadium stays lively even outside of match days. Because the stadium is often sold out on match days, FC Twente continuously seeks innovative revenue models to support the club. The diversity of activities requires flexibility and speed, and good digital support is indispensable.
Growing together with digital power
FC Twente's ambitions reach further. "The club has experienced wonderful growth in recent years, and you can see that reflected in the number of users and transactions via ValidSign. We naturally hope to continue this growth in the coming years," says Jordy. The feedback from all departments is unanimous: 'It simply works well.' This confirms the chosen digital path and forms a solid foundation for future efficiency improvements. FC Twente and ValidSign continue to build a faster and smarter future together, both on and off the pitch.
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