Andre Rieu spends about 120  concerts in dozens of countries on five continents. Andre Rieu at the company Productions 120 people working under his wife Marjorie and son Pierre. He is among the top ten top selling artists worldwide tour.  In 2009 he finished six spot, even for world artists such as Britney Spears, Beyonce and Coldplay. 

In sackcloth and ashes

Creativity, vision, financial acumen and guts are often cited as essential properties for an entrepreneur. I want to add another: improvisation skills. My god, I was a nervous wreck when the Icelandic ash cloud disrupted air traffic. At the gate we heard forty crew members, responsible for setting technology and logistics, that their flight was canceled. Booking another flight was impossible. No crew, no concert. Furthermore, I and the entire orchestra also had to get to Cape Town. In short, our South African tour was called into question. It is fascinating to see what happens. The whole "Rieu-management 'gets on the phone.' Friends and acquaintances are involved, there is googling, calls and negotiating. Great euphoria when it finally succeed in a DC9 to charter the next day leaving from Barcelona. Yet soon are four regular buses and coach the women's clothing and the microphones are already ahead towards the Spanish coast. Everyone can breathe easy again.

But then suddenly the Barcelona airport closed and we may not get DC9 depart from Maastricht! The latter is good news because the sooner we South Africa, the better. But a new logistical dilemma presents itself: how do we get the dresses and  microphones, which are in Barcelona to  South Africa?  For resolving this issue took quite some improvisation and organizational skills. Exactly two hours before the start of the concert the final material arrives.

It's amazing what your team can do for you when the need is high. Thanks to some loyal suppliers and partners of our company. People who are happy to help entrepreneurs who give you something. So we wanted in turn to help three Dutch travel agents meeting in Cape Town where ninety stranded passengers were waiting. Ha, we thought, one and is two. "Our 'DC9 was full before, but would fly back the next day empty. No effort, I think, for a number of passengers to bring back. "No problem, "said the representative of the charter company," we do for a thousand euros a person. "I do not know what you think, but this is not the entrepreneurial ethic that I love. 

A relief it was therefore at home again after dinner with Benoit Wesly, a successful Maastricht bar owner. He told me he was very moved by the TV broadcast - our weekly road show in the cable - and our action with the African Children's choir. I told him that we are busy with the Vrijthof children for Concerts at the Netherlands. "Do they eat?" was his first and second question: "Do they have somewhere to sleep? Leave that up to me. I make sure those kids wanted nothing."  Please add me yet an essential entrepreneurial attribute to the list: selflessness,  Simply because there is sometimes happiness that does not come from making a profit.

 Used With Permission. . .Eigen Bedrijf, magazine Kamer van Koophandel.