agap2 celebrates its 20th anniversary: interview with the founders

A vision that lasts, a community that moves forward

agap2. Three syllables, an intriguing name, derived from the expression “a gap to fill”. This may make you smile, but it embodies a simple idea: to fill a void. The void we are filling is that of a different kind of engineering consultancy, based on proximity, human commitment and high standards.

September 2005. Lisbon. It was here that it all began, in a flat with no lift. The desire to become a key stakeholder in the consultancy sector, motivated people, a telephone and a slightly crazy idea: doing consultancy differently. In an era dominated by low-cost offshoring, agap2 is going against the tide by staying in Europe, relying on local teams and building lasting relationships of trust with customers. And above all: never losing touch with the field.

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Bumps in the road, but never deviating

With the support of a local Portuguese bank (the only one to believe in the project at the time), agap2 was up and running in just a few weeks. Everything seemed to accelerate and then, a few months later, the main customer reduced our partnership from 30 consultants to just 5. "The account manager at the time was devastated. Today, he is part of the Group’s management and governance.” Franck Deschodt - co-founder

This was just the beginning. Over the last twenty years, agap2 has gone through periods of reorganisation, difficult decisions and investments that have not always borne fruit. We have had to close some branches, open others, review our priorities and reassess ourselves. Yes, there have been mistakes. Yes, there have been adjustments. But never at the expense of our chosen direction.

"We have never doubted. Faced with these challenges, we threw ourselves wholeheartedly into the project, putting all our energy into it,” adds Patrice Giudicelli - co-founder

The teams stayed the course because it was clear, shared and realistic. This ability to cope and to adapt without sacrificing our fundamental principles has become a culture. A culture embodied by the values of our slogan LA FORCE.

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Progress lucidly, grow conscientiously

The years have gone by and the issues have changed. Artificial intelligence has made its way into our processes, teleworking has reconfigured the way we work, and certain practices are shaking up our daily lives. And yet, a foundation remains: our ability to provide human intelligence, whether for our customers, in the support we provide to our candidates or in the development of our employees.

"We’ve seen trends, models and buzzwords come and go. But we have never deviated from our course. Our job is to understand, interpret and connect.”

To do that, you need to be as close as possible to the teams, to the issues and to the field. This proximity cannot be taken for granted; it is built on a daily basis, in exchanges between teams, in the feedback of specific needs, in this optimistic and benevolent synergy. In every project, every sector and every customer, this attitude is confirmed: keep it simple in a complex world. ”We are true partners, facilitators of intelligence.”

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We are all consultants

Where many see consultancy as a black box: consultants on one side, internal functions on the other, the founders defend an overall vision of a community united by the same ambition.

”There’s no difference between a works engineer and a business engineer. We’re all consultants. I’m one too!” - Patrice Giudicelli

We are all harnessed to the same carriage, all moving forward together, whatever our position or status. This approach goes beyond titles. It’s based on mutual recognition and the desire to grow together.

"What makes us stronger is our ability to surround ourselves with brilliant people and to recruit the best.” - Franck Deschodt

And that’s also the strength of LA FORCE - agap2’s watchword: a corporate culture that is lived in every professional move. Entrepreneurial Liberty means giving everyone the opportunity and the freedom to act autonomously in their assignments. The Audacity to innovate means proposing, testing and thinking outside the box when it makes sense. Fun in everyday life because it’s a pleasure to be part of this adventure. Shared Objectives are the ability to align personal ambitions with collective priorities. Responsiveness is our way of acting quickly and efficiently. Consideration is what we give to ideas as well as to people. And finally, Exchange is the way in which we build the success of agap2 together on a daily basis.

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20 years, and tomorrow?

Twenty years ago, some people said that this model would not stand up. That French-style consultancy was doomed. That mass solutions outsourced to emerging countries were the future. ”20 years ago, we were told that consultancy was dead.” - Franck Deschodt

Twenty years on, 5,000 European Agapians continue to move forward together, day after day. It’s not about revenge. It’s a choice. A collective commitment. A daily requirement.

"We built agap2 without raising capital and without compromising our values. What drives us is the desire to do things well, and together.” - Franck Deschodt

If this story is still being written, it’s because it was never written by a just few. It has always been driven by everyone. So it’s up to everyone to put their voice, their ideas and their ambitions behind it because the future of agap2 will be built, as always: together.

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A changing society, the same course

These 20 years are proof that a model based on commitment, proximity and responsibility can last, adapt and continue to generate value (for both Agapians and customers). In a constantly changing environment, we are asserting our uniqueness: that of a partner focused on human intelligence.

With those who share this vision. Those who want to develop, contribute and help projects and teams to grow. Together, let’s continue this collective momentum, true to our convictions and focused on the challenges of tomorrow.

#WeThink2morrow

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