Florin Manoloiu is the Chief Operating Officer at Exenne Technologies, a professional with nearly a decade of experience in the digital transformation of Romania’s construction sector, being directly involved in the digitization of processes in over 200 companies in the industry. He coordinates complex commercial and operational strategies based on innovation, data analysis, and the development of sustainable partnerships.

C&B: If we were to look at a narrative thread of your career, what were the key moments that defined you?
Florin Manoloiu: Looking back, my career has not been linear but rather a progressive construction, where each stage was about learning and laid a brick in the foundation of what I am today. I would highlight four defining moments:
• Volunteering at BEST (Board of European Students of Technology): This was the “school” that shaped me before the job. There, I learned about collaboration, organizing large-scale events, and the dynamics of an international team.
• Experience in FMCG (Danone): Here, I had a “wake-up call” about what a career really means, beyond the romantic view I had as a student. I realized that “not everything that flies can be eaten” and that before being friends, we need to deliver results. It is a tough school that drives you toward performance, where I learned the importance of strategic marketing, working with large volumes, and extreme organization.
• Transition to Engineering and Technical Sales (Linde Gas & Schneider Electric): This stage refined my B2B negotiation skills, but the fundamental lesson was about responsibility. I learned that you are the only one responsible for the results of your work and that talent alone is not enough to achieve remarkable results. This was also where I had my first lessons as a segment leader.
• Joining Exenne Technologies (2016): Moving from a corporation to tech entrepreneurship was a moment of full maturation. Here, I could apply everything I had learned, building strategies from scratch and having a direct impact on the digitization of an entire industry. The daily lesson here is that without grit—perseverance and passion—you cannot build anything.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Florin Manoloiu: The most challenging moment was undoubtedly realizing that your product is perceived as good only to the extent that the market trusts you. My dreams of being associated with a company scaling overnight collided with the construction sector’s resistance to change. After a year, even though our numbers were almost doubling, I felt like I was trying to break down a 2-meter-thick wall with a 5 cm drill. I overcame this by understanding that the path is long and that the secret ingredient is trust. When you persevere, listen openly, and innovate, trust follows. In construction—a field addressing the fundamental human need for shelter—trust is more important than anything else.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Florin Manoloiu: Yes, my constant ambition has been to understand how the world works. To do that, you must constantly expose yourself to the stress of leaving your comfort zone. I strongly believe that if you are the smartest person in the room, you shouldn’t stay in that room too long. You need to seek environments that challenge you to grow.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have transformed to date?
Florin Manoloiu: At the start, I was an enthusiastic executor with a romantic vision of business. I believed that all interests in the market naturally converge so that everyone benefits. Today, my perspective is much more nuanced. Yes, we all want what’s best, but “best” can vary for each person, or timing can be wrong. Therefore, my focus has shifted to deep understanding and aligning interests, because without this alignment, you risk doing Sisyphean work.

C&B: If we met with your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Florin Manoloiu: I would like them to see me as an analytical person open to ideas. However, I think they would say that for me, efficiency is a “religion,” with all the pros and cons that come with it. Beyond perceptions, what is visible in interactions with me is that:
• I enjoy precise, structured discussions.
• I always ask, “what impact could this have?” and on which data that impact is based.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?
Florin Manoloiu: The decision to join Exenne Technologies in January 2016. It was a bet on myself—to leave a comfortable position at Schneider Electric to contribute to the growth of a Romanian software product. It meant moving from the stability of a multinational to the direct responsibility of delivering performance to be able to pay the team’s salaries.

C&B: What role does innovation play in Exenne’s strategy, and how do you integrate new technologies into your products?
Florin Manoloiu: Innovation is not just a department at Exenne; it is our very reason for being. In the traditionally conservative construction industry, we bring automation and innovation with a precise goal: reducing time wasted on repetitive tasks so that professionals can focus on what truly matters.

C&B: What is the main differentiator that sets Exenne apart from other companies in the industry?
Florin Manoloiu: Our differentiator is the symbiosis between technology and contextual understanding. We do not just offer software (eDevize); we identify needs that the market does not yet know how to name and develop solutions to address them. I always tell my team: a discussion that starts with presenting product functionalities is a “lost” discussion. Our thinking must always be centered on the needs of the person in front of us; only then do we learn and develop quality products.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Florin Manoloiu: A typical day is a balanced mix of analysis/introspection and human interaction:
• Morning: Dedicated to growth projects I lead and actions needed to push them forward.
• Afternoon: Meetings, discussions, and interactions with the team and partners.
• Evening: Introspection and prioritization of tasks for the next morning.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?
Florin Manoloiu: I follow three simple but essential principles:

1. Integrity: Promises made to partners or colleagues are sacred.
2. Data-driven decisions: I try to eliminate subjectivity. If the numbers don’t support an idea, we reevaluate it.
3. Continuous learning: The market changes, technology changes. If we don’t learn daily, we fall behind.

C&B: What are the core values underpinning the organizational culture at Exenne Technologies?
Florin Manoloiu: Exenne’s culture is based on:
• Customer Orientation: Everything we develop must solve a real user problem.
• Transparency: We communicate openly, both internally and with clients.
• Pragmatism: We do not innovate for the sake of innovation, but for efficiency and profitability—both ours and our clients’.
• Accountability: The most important thing is identifying what we could have done better in a situation, not looking for excuses.

C&B: If you were to give a message to those following your example, what would it be?
Florin Manoloiu: Don’t look for the easy path and let go of corporate romanticism in favor of pragmatism. Talent is important, but without grit and perseverance, it is useless. Seek environments where you are not the smartest person in the room, because only there will you truly grow. And, last but not least, base your decisions on data but execute them with integrity toward people. Efficiency without direction is just noise, and ambition without work is just a dream.

Florin Manoloiu’s story demonstrates that success does not happen overnight but through perseverance, continuous learning, and trust in the team. His experience shows how innovation and authentic leadership can completely transform a traditional industry.

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Significant Economic Impact

Online trade boosts courier and postal services, software development, digital advertising, and even local goods production. Cristian Pelivan, Executive Director of the Romanian Association of Online Stores (ARMO), states: “Online commerce is no longer just a convenience for consumers; it is a real engine of economic and fiscal growth, connecting Romania to the European Single Market.”

Read full article here: turnovernews.com

Read also: Packeta Romania Expands Operations with New Logistics Hub in Oradea

Photo: freepik.com

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AHEAD integrates data from various systems and departments, transforming it into relevant information. The platform helps companies manage resources efficiently, reduce operational risks, and make fast decisions based on customized AI models.

“Our strategy has always been to invest in areas that bring resilience and long-term value. Technology is an integral part of this direction, and AHEAD is a relevant example: an AI platform that brings structure to complex processes and generates measurable value for organizations across various sectors. Launching AHEAD gives us the opportunity to reaffirm our belief that artificial intelligence is not just a passing trend, but an essential factor for efficiency and competitiveness in business,” says Sorin Preda, CEO & Founder of Global Vision.

Read also: Digitalization in the Cement Industry: Holcim Aleșd Implements Predictive Maintenance with AI and Machine Learning

Flexibility and tangible results for companies

AHEAD can be implemented in the cloud or on-premises and adapts to the needs of each organization. The platform’s applications range from optimizing back-office operations, where it analyzes contracts, processes documents, evaluates suppliers, and automates procurement, to supporting industrial processes through machine learning models that detect anomalies, provide predictive analytics, and optimize production in real time.

“We wanted to make AI usage more relevant for companies, through personalized models adapted to each organization’s context. AHEAD marks an important step in this direction: it brings information into the right context and transforms it into relevant outcomes for management and operations. Instead of isolated answers, companies obtain orchestrated processes through customized AI models, context-based decisions, and consistent results,” explains Marian Anghelache, Managing Partner of AHEAD.

For complex organizations, the platform integrates with existing ERP and CRM systems, facilitating consistent and transparent decisions across departments. AHEAD thus provides coherence and visibility, helping companies achieve their strategic goals and leverage artificial intelligence as an essential factor for competitiveness.

Photo: globalvision.ro

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“Electric motors are the heart of any industrial facility, and at Holcim Aleșd, they support a production flow that is essential for the local economy. Through this project, we have not only prevented critical failures but also redefined how maintenance is carried out in the industry,” said Lucian Enaru, General Manager of Schneider Electric Romania, Moldova, and Armenia. “AI and Machine Learning technologies allow us to act proactively, before problems occur, protecting operational continuity and ensuring client performance.”

Technology and Collaboration for Performance

Schneider Electric currently monitors nine medium- and low-voltage electric motors at the Holcim Aleșd plant using Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) technology. This system captures data directly from the power panel without prolonged equipment downtime, providing a precise view of the motors’ condition. The collected data is processed in Microsoft Azure cloud and analyzed by Schneider Electric experts at the regional hub in Novi Sad, who interpret the signals and provide recommendations for preventive maintenance.

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“Collaboration with the Holcim team and our specialists was essential to the success of this project. The 90% validation rate of the alerts confirms the solution’s efficiency and the real impact on client operations,” added Lucian Enaru.

This initiative is part of a broader partnership between Schneider Electric and Holcim Romania, established under an international agreement in 2021. Implementing predictive maintenance increases equipment safety and reliability, optimizes maintenance costs, and provides an innovative perspective on how technology supports industrial production.

By adopting intelligent digital solutions, Holcim and Schneider Electric demonstrate that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand, supporting both industrial performance and the economic development of the local community.

Photo: holcim.com

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On average, companies reported 7.6 material topics, with report sizes ranging from 50 to 400 pages. Many organizations faced difficulties in structuring sustainability data, particularly in their relationships with indirect suppliers. This outcome highlights a clear need for transparent mechanisms to engage with stakeholders.

Different Directions Across Industries

The report highlights significant variations across sectors. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies emphasized supply chain transparency and circular economy practices. Among the 62 companies analyzed, more than 90% included policies on recycling and waste management, while 79% announced deadlines for implementing these measures.

In the energy and industrial production sectors, the central theme was the reduction of Scope 3 emissions. Of the 55 companies assessed, 30 set net-zero targets and outlined roadmaps for energy transition and electrification of processes.

Financial institutions integrated ESG criteria into lending and investment practices. Seven out of ten banks established emissions targets for at least five sectors, while all 20 banks in the study applied the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) methodology to calculate financed emissions. Eleven out of twelve insurers also relied on this framework.

Sustainability Reporting as a Strategic Process

“The experience of companies that reported in the first CSRD wave provides a valuable reference framework, governed by three essential principles — structure, transparency, and collaboration,” said Ovidiu Popescu, Partner at Deloitte Romania. According to him, reporting must be seen as a repeatable and strategic process, not simply as an administrative exercise.

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A central element of reporting is the double materiality assessment, which allows companies to evaluate both their impact on the environment and society, and the risks external factors pose to their own operations. Deloitte notes that this tool, together with stakeholder engagement policies, supports decision-making and strengthens trust.

Corina Dimitriu, Partner Audit and ESG Assurance Leader at Deloitte Romania, emphasized the difference between financial and sustainability reporting. “The outcome of the process is not only an audit opinion but a set of performance arguments and sustainable development directions, convincing for clients, partners, financiers, and investors,” she explained.

Digitalization of Reporting

The study shows a clear orientation toward digitalization. Companies highlighted the need for technical solutions to collect and consolidate data. Some invested in new systems, while others adapted their existing IT infrastructure.

A key step is digital tagging of content, which allows automated reading of information. This practice will become mandatory with the adoption of the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) format at the European level. Deloitte sees this standardization as a path to greater efficiency and comparability between reports.

An outlook for the European Market

Deloitte’s study analyzed 200 reports from companies in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and 13 other European countries. The industries represented included FMCG, energy and industrial production, financial services, technology, and healthcare.

The results show that CSRD reporting extends beyond a legal obligation. The process requires companies to redefine their role as part of a broader ecosystem with multiple responsibilities toward stakeholders. Organizations that combine compliance with a clear sustainability strategy gain a competitive advantage and greater appeal to investors.

The first CSRD reports mark the beginning of a phase where data serve as tools for development and as indicators of credibility. Deloitte anticipates that as digitalization progresses, reporting will become less burdensome and more focused on added value.

Photo: freepik.com

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Ioan Mihai is a specialist in marketing and web development, with extensive experience in project management and entrepreneurship, known for his initiatives in creating digital content and promoting local communities.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to spark the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?
Ioan Mihai: I am a self-taught entrepreneur who has turned failures into lessons and who understands that the true value of digitalization lies in connecting people and building something lasting, whether it’s a business or a community.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Ioan Mihai: If we were to look at the narrative thread of my career, I would identify three key moments that defined me:

• Launching my personal blog (2006–2008): It was my decision to enter the digital world at the early stages of blogging in Romania. Here, I learned the basics of content writing, SEO, and marketing, laying the foundation for everything that followed.
• Role as a digital content creator at PC Garage (2014): This was an essential experience in which I learned how to interact with a large community of clients and fans, understanding their needs and adapting content to provide them value.
• Relaunching eComplex.ro (2022): This represented my entrepreneurial maturation, being the culmination of accumulated experience. I managed to transform an online business idea into a viable and successful project, which is exactly what eComplex.ro represents today.

C&B: What is the main mission of the Brezoaele.ro platform, and what needs of the local community does it aim to address?
Ioan Mihai: The main mission of Brezoaele.ro is to be a digital voice for the Brezoaele community. Its goal is to transform the locality from a simple point on the map into a vibrant and relevant digital entity. Through this project, we aim to address three essential needs:

• Information need: local news, events, and important announcements, providing residents with a reliable source of information.
• Connection need: an online space where citizens, authorities, and local businesses can interact and collaborate.
• Development need: promoting cultural events, civic initiatives, and local businesses, thus contributing to the visibility and economic growth of the community.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Ioan Mihai: The dream or ambition that has always guided me was to use the power of digital tools to create a positive and visible impact in communities. I have always believed that technology should not be just a business or an entertainment tool, but a driver of development and a means to connect people. Regardless of obstacles, I have remained faithful to this idea, from my first blog to community development projects like Brezoaele.ro.

C&B: How did you look at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have transformed until now?
Ioan Mihai: At the beginning of my journey, I was a technology enthusiast, full of energy and eager to learn. I was self-taught, ready to experiment and make mistakes to find my path.
Today, I feel that I have transformed into a professional with strategic vision. I have learned how to combine creativity with pragmatism. The experience I’ve gained has given me the ability to see the big picture of a project, from idea to implementation, and to ensure that each stage leads to a concrete and successful final result.

C&B: If we met with your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Ioan Mihai: I believe my former collaborators would say that I am a self-taught and solution-oriented person. They would probably mention that, even though I work independently, I am very open to learning from others’ experiences and contributing to common goals. I think they would appreciate my proactivity and perseverance, especially in moments when I overcame technical or logistical challenges.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?
Ioan Mihai: The most important decision was to take an independent entrepreneurial path, leaving a stable job. It was a risky leap, but it allowed me to fully develop my project management skills, learn to take full responsibility for the success or failure of my projects, and build a diversified portfolio.

C&B: How do you see the role of digitalization and online platforms in the development of local communities in Romania?
Ioan Mihai: I see digitalization and online platforms as essential catalysts for the development of local communities. They can transform a locality from a point on the map into a vibrant and connected digital entity. Through digitalization, communities can facilitate access to information, promote small businesses and local artisans, and increase civic participation.

C&B: How do you manage to combine local information, news, and business promotion in a useful and attractive way?
Ioan Mihai: I manage this by balancing useful content with content that provides value. Every post is designed to provide value to the reader, whether it’s important news, a local success story, or subtle but strategic promotion. The key is not to turn the platform into an advertising board but into a trusted resource for the community.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments of the day give you the most satisfaction?
Ioan Mihai: A typical day for me is a mix of planning, management, and technical work. I handle website updates, content creation, and respond to partner requests. I feel the greatest satisfaction when I see that my work has a real and tangible impact, whether it’s increased traffic or positive feedback from the community.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day by day?
Ioan Mihai: The principles that guide me are integrity, proactivity, and perseverance. I apply them daily by being transparent in collaborations, anticipating problems and seeking solutions, and never giving up on a project, even when major obstacles arise. I firmly believe that these values are essential to building sustainable and trustworthy projects.

C&B: How was the Brezoaele.ro project born, and what was the motivation behind it?
Ioan Mihai: The Brezoaele.ro project was born out of the personal need to create a digital platform for my hometown after seeing the potential of such an initiative. The motivation was simple but powerful: I wanted to provide residents with a modern tool for communication, promoting culture, and attracting investments, to contribute to the development of the place where I grew up.

C&B: What development plans do you have for Brezoaele.ro in the coming years?
Ioan Mihai: The development plans for Brezoaele.ro include expanding the news section with a focus on video reports, implementing a local volunteer platform to facilitate citizen involvement, and developing a mobile app that centralizes all important information for the community. We aim to continue being a driver of innovation and connection at the local level.

Digitalization can be a real driver of development when it is used to connect people and communities. Projects like Brezoaele.ro demonstrate that technology, combined with passion and local engagement, can turn ideas into tangible and lasting results.

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