In 2023, DNS Belgium achieved a significant milestone in our long-term commitment to sustainability. We were honoured to be recognised as an ‘SDG Ambassador’ by UNITAR, one of only four Belgian organisations to receive this accolade.
This recognition underscores our dedication to setting an example for other ICT companies in Belgium. As we proudly carry this title, we remain committed to inspiring other businesses to follow our lead and set new sustainability goals for 2030.
Digital inclusion: Digital For Youth
Our initiative to promote digital inclusion, Digital For Youth, gained momentum in 2023 with the addition of new team members. With a dedicated team of three, we focused on sourcing and refurbishing laptops for children in need. Since its inception in mid-2019, D4Y has distributed over 23,000 laptops, empowering young people to participate in the digital society.
Leading in fraud prevention
DNS Belgium continued to excel in fraud prevention, leveraging Artificial Intelligence to scrutinise new registrations. We identified potentially malicious registrations, contributing to our reputation as one of the most fraud-free domain zones globally. In 2023, only 33 out of 1.735 million active domains were found to be involved in fraudulent activities.
Domain name trends
Reflecting broader trends, the number of active domain names slightly declined from 1.745 million to 1.735 million in 2023. This decrease, influenced by the post-COVID economic climate and a global slowdown in domain registrations, highlights the challenge ahead. Our mission is to convince entrepreneurs and internet users that a .be domain and website can bring them value by, among other things, creating a highly secure online environment.
HR
The figures
- On 31 December, 38 people worked for DNS Belgium, including 30 full-time and 8 part-time employees.
- Two employees left DNS Belgium in 2023. We recruited two employees.
HR policy
In 2023, we continued to focus on operational excellence, impeccable HR administration and an inspiring, sustainable working environment.
Feedback and Growth Opportunities
We continue to focus on the personal growth and development of our employees, allowing each individual within the organisation to contribute to the success of DNS Belgium. Within our organisation, advancement may at first sight seem limited. To stimulate personal growth and development among our employees, we offer every employee the opportunity to take the next step. This is why every employee can take an internal (360°) and external assessment. Based on the results and feedback from peers and managers, employees can be promoted.
Expansion HR Committee
Our HR committee deals with all kinds of strategic and operational HR issues. We had been using the same approach for years and felt it was time for a change. From 14 February, our HR committee was expanded by three additional representatives to improve our HR approach and policy. Nine colleagues applied, and during a selection in January, three employees were chosen to fill this role for 2023. This initiative provides our HR committee with a new dynamic and interesting discussions.
Right to deconnect and hybrid working
The government has introduced "the right of deconnection", which affects our flexible way of working. Therefore, we formulated an addendum to our employment contract and a policy in line with these rules, while respecting the government's deadline.
The last meeting of the hybrid working group took place in February. The decision is that one day a week is mandatory to come to the office, the other days employees can choose where to work, at home or in the office. We provide the necessary materials to be well-equipped both at home and in the office.
Employer Branding
Our employer branding project is becoming more and more concrete. Our communications department and HR are taking the next step to highlight our unique position as an employer and attract new talent. Focus in 2023 is on the design and development of the employer page on our website.
Engagement and collaboration
Every year, we measure employee engagement and satisfaction with a survey. After analysing the latest Korn Ferry engagement survey, we launched FREETALKS, a live discussion group to discuss five identified challenges, namely :
- Collaboration across teams
- Performance management
- Giving and receiving feedback
- Communication across departments
- Making timely decisions and at the right level
We use key insights from these discussions to improve cross-departmental collaboration and decision-making and emphasise the importance of continuous feedback.
Through these initiatives, we remain committed to providing a stimulating and supportive work environment in which our employees can develop and contribute to the success of our organisation.
Annual accounts
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Income | ||||
Income from registration fees | 7,545.767 | 7,557,592 | 7,516,341 | 7,253,080 |
New names | 879,336 | 940,347 | 1,122,432 | 1,040,330 |
Renewals | 6,258,580 | 6,219,208 | 5,931,759 | 5,753,722 |
Transfers | 276,525 | 272,196 | 335,422 | 332,030 |
Reactivations | 96,843 | 98,381 | 93,528 | 93,889 |
Services | 24,743 | 14,840 | 16,223 | 15,286 |
Transfers from quarantaine | 9,740 | 12,620 | 16,977 | 17,823 |
Financial income | 67,311 | 3,800 | 1,404 | 7,321 |
Other income | - | 430 | - | - |
Total income | 7,613,078 | 7,561,822 | 7,517,745 | 7,260,401 |
Expenditures | ||||
Personnel costs | 5,245,460 | 4,618,010 | 4,162,934 | 4,006,354 |
Externe consultancy | 346,435 | 308,649 | 294,241 | 263,551 |
Costs of technical operations | 1,036,132 | 943,939 | 808,063 | 705,795 |
General overheads | 997,998 | 944,482 | 863,426 | 1,005,672 |
Depreciation | 226,053 | 226,864 | 551,864 | 732,782 |
Financial costs | 16,203 | 39,849 | 29,366 | 17,581 |
Sustainability | 373,400 | 363,299 | 368,209 | 351,351 |
Total costs | 8,241,681 | 7,445,092 | 7,078,103 | 7,083,086 |
|
| |||
RESULT | -628,603 | 116,730 | 439,642 | 177,315 |
Balance
Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fixed assets | 204,452 | 273,131 | 409,215 | 875,728 |
Intangible, tangible and financial assets | 204,452 | 273,131 | 409,215 | 875,728 |
Current assets | 8,898,780 | 9,280,843 | 9,138,561 | 7,920,586 |
Receivables due within one year - Trade debtors | 947,424 | 962,669 | 943,663 | 953,018 |
Receivables due within one year - Other amounts receivable | 215,042 | 7,832 | 26,468 | 13,831 |
Cash at bank and in hand | 7,322,885 | 7,965,809 | 7,851,295 | 6,596,790 |
Deferred charges and accrued income | 413,429 | 344,533 | 317,135 | 356,947 |
Total assets | 9,103,232 | 9,553,974 | 9,547,776 | 8,796,314 |
Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Capital and reserves | 2,504,014 | 3,132,616 | 3,015,886 | 2,576,244 |
Surplus carried forward | 3,132,616 | 3,015,886 | 2,576,244 | 2,398,929 |
Result financial year | -628,602 | 116,730 | 439,642 | 177,315 |
Provisions | 78,035 | - | - | - |
Liabilities | 6,521,183 | 6,421,358 | 6,531,890 | 6,220,070 |
Suppliers | 662,899 | 694,865 | 856,487 | 739,726 |
Taxes, remuneration and social security costs | 1,262,886 | 1,082,893 | 1,030,666 | 829,892 |
Advance payment registrars | 1,193,066 | 1,210,566 | 1,217,566 | 1,250,389 |
Accrued charges and deferred income | 3.402,332 | 3,433,034 | 3,427,171 | 3,400,063 |
Total liabilities | 9,103,232 | 9,553,974 | 9,547,776 | 8,796,314 |