Ton Sluiter
How HeadFirst Group is moving toward a data-driven future
From valuable insights to predictive analytics and serendipity
In this interview, colleague Ton Sluiter - Manager Data at HeadFirst Group since early 2023 - talks about his role, the work of the data team and his view of the future. And of course why he enjoys doing this for an organization like HeadFirst Group.
Data provides valuable insights
What does the work of a data team actually entail? "Our main task is to collect all the data that comes in and convert it into valuable insights," Ton begins. "This helps to optimize operations, both internally and externally. Whether generating reports for our relations or providing internal information to management, our goal is to improve the business."
Predictive analytics for the future
Ton reflects on the different stages in the maturity of a data-driven organization. Although he concludes that HeadFirst Group is already quite advanced, there are still steps to take. "While a company usually starts with collecting data and creating dashboards, we are now several steps further. We are currently in the data analytics phase, working toward predictive analytics and models that help with future business decision-making. We aim to generate more and more insights and become truly data-driven in all our processes."
Refining and serendipity
When asked what makes his work so fascinating, Ton responds enthusiastically. "Working with data is actually similar to refining: raw data comes in, is processed and eventually results in valuable insights. Along the way, we ourselves also learn every time. We not only collect data for its original purpose, but along the way we also discover unexpected applications. We call this serendipity. Data that was not intended for a specific purpose turns out to be valuable after all. It gives me energy when we can take customers or ourselves another step forward with this!"
Learning organization
Ton notes that HeadFirst Group is a learning organization. "There is a lot of room for individual development and innovation. We are increasingly developing into a data-driven organization, not only on the operational side, but for example in marketing, where we measure the effect of campaigns. We have grown quickly, but also have the ability to learn and implement new things quickly. I appreciate that drive enormously."
Finally, Ton reflects on the opportunities for advancement within the organization. "We have several examples of colleagues transferring to another position that at first glance does not seem the most obvious choice: from Recruitment to Data, from Contract Management to Account Management and from Facility to Legal. That really typifies and encourages this organization. Colleagues get - and seize - the opportunity to grow. That's great!"
Also excited to get started at HeadFirst Group? Click here for the vacancies!
Looking for a challenging internship in a cozy team? Come do an internship at Sterksen!
Looking for a challenging internship in a cozy team? Come do an internship at Sterksen!
Finding a suitable internship is not always easy. It has to fit your education, there has to be room for your assignment and of course it is nice if you enjoy yourself. Sterksen offers the possibility to design your internship according to your wishes. We asked intern Stef Kerstens about his experience.
Why did you choose Sterksen as your internship site?
"I am studying Human Resource Management and this is my final year. To carry out my graduation project, I was looking for an internship from August to December. Earlier this year I started as a Talent Sourcer at Sterksen - the perfect challenge for me to earn some extra money alongside my studies. I liked this so much that it was a logical step for me to also do my graduation internship here. Fortunately, there turned out to be plenty of room for that."
What makes working at Sterksen so enjoyable?
"I especially like that you have your own responsibility here. They are not constantly looking over your shoulder or tapping you. Feeling autonomous as an intern is not a given at all companies, but here you get the space to do your assignment independently. Once a week I have a meeting with my thesis supervisor to discuss things regarding my assignments.
Furthermore, there is a team meeting every week, where we discuss what everyone has been doing, if you are running into something and where help is needed. You don't have to feel burdened to say things or make suggestions here either. And every Thursday we get training on various IT - topics to make us a little more handy in that area too."
"You can level well with everyone here."
Why is Sterksen the ideal internship?
"At Sterksen there is a cool atmosphere. Not only do we work very hard, there is also room to go crazy together. You can have a good time with young and old. We also have a number of graduates who stayed on after their internship. Sterksen is a great place to start where you can gain a lot of experience. The onboarding program consists of a clear step-by-step plan and various trainings to get to know the organization well. You are taken through everything well and everyone is incredibly involved and helpful. For the time being, I will be right here to further expand my experience."
Are you looking for an internship and do you already see yourself working within the cozy atmosphere at Sterksen? Please contact us for the possibilities.
Continue to develop yourself at Sterksen
Continue to develop yourself at Sterksen
She has now been working at this growing company for almost 10 years, but Julianne Maas is far from bored with Sterksen. Having done several jobs, she still finds challenges in her work. We talked to Julianne about her development within Sterksen.
How did you get started at Sterksen?
"This is my first job, making me the prime example of advancing within an organization: starting at the bottom, to eventually a management position. I started as a Recruitment Consultant, which I did for about 3 years. Then I started combining recruitment with a lead function. Then I became responsible for this Business Unit and now I am part of the Management Team.
My current position is Business Unit Manager IT Recruitment & Executive Search. I am responsible for IT Recruitment (W&S) and Executive Search within a wide variety of clients. Within W&S we focus on the permanent recruitment of IT professionals and in Executive Search we focus on filling crucial senior and management positions (also non-IT). So it's incredibly diverse and challenging."
What makes you love working here so much?
"No day is the same, there is always a lot happening. Sterksen is a very entrepreneurial organization that likes to think out of the box. There are therefore continuous developments going on here. New initiatives or business lines ensure that you stay challenged. There is always an opportunity to specialize in a field or to develop yourself further in your career.
It feels like a small company here, but every day you can walk into larger companies we work with. So you get to many different places. Even now that we are part of a larger organization with HeadFirst Group, there are just more opportunities to enter new companies. We strengthen each other."
"There are always opportunities to develop here."
How is cooperation with the team?
"We set the bar high within Sterksen and want to continuously improve ourselves. Quality is very important to us, but in doing so we make sure we strike the right balance. There is little hierarchy and we do it together. For example, we have a buddy system where you can spar with each other or help out when necessary. Many recruitment agencies work in a more individualistic way.
So it is a very professional organization, but we interact informally. The teams are close and the atmosphere is friendly. We celebrate successes together. All kinds of initiatives are also organized among colleagues, from an evening of sports to drinks or festive activities."
Where do you see growth opportunities for yourself?
"As Business Unit Manager, I feel responsible not only for my own business unit, but ultimately for all of Sterksen. My focus now is on how we can create even better cooperation within the business units. Being one Sterksen together, instead of each unit working on its own. So I'm looking for challenge across the entire organization: to maximize the connectedness, also in the cooperation with HeadFirst Group. After all, with our extensive range of services and many specialists, we are the partner for recruitment."
Would you also like to work at this versatile company with a lot of growth potential? Then take a look at our vacancies to see what positions are currently available.
Getting a little better every day
Getting a little better every day, both as an organization and as individuals, is what we strive for
Joke talks about the ambitions of HeadFirst Group
HeadFirst Group has received the certification of a 'Great Place To Work' for the second year in a row. "We have grown on all fronts compared to last year, thanks in part to the commitment of all teams to address areas for improvement and that has paid off," says Joke de Graaf, Head of HR & Organization.
Why is certification so important to HeadFirst Group?
"Listening to our employees is the essence of our organization. Their input is invaluable to us and central to our efforts to be an excellent employer. We can say we are a good employer, but with this certificate we can really demonstrate this and communicate what employees experience and feel. What makes this survey very valuable is that it provides us with concrete tools to continue to improve. The independent employee survey uses the Trust Index to measure trust, pride and pleasure. Themes that are very important to us."
"The survey shows that employees feel the same way. Everyone feels welcome, at home and appreciated, with the freedom to be themselves, regardless of gender, origin or age. On that last theme we even achieve a score of almost 100, how nice is that!"
What has improved from last year?
"Last year we took a close look at onboarding and adjusted it based on feedback from new colleagues. We looked at what went well, but especially what they missed. And we noticed that those adjustments had an effect."
"In addition, we have worked on communication. With us there is no rigid hierarchy, but rather bottom-up leadership. Of course there are issues that are discussed first in the MT, but communication to the teams could be better. Therefore, together with the marketing and communications team and management, we discussed how to improve this so that the teams are even better informed about what is going on."
What are you most proud of within HeadFirst Group?
"Mutual trust is important to us and we like to give employees the freedom to do their jobs. Making mistakes is allowed and is of course part of the job. That is why 'Learn every day' is one of our core values. It is positive that the survey shows that employees are innovative and try to do things in an innovative and better way. Getting a little better every day, both as an organization and as individuals, is what we strive for."
"I like to see that, despite the growth we have experienced and continue to experience, the employees indicate that everyone is approachable, and we are able to maintain the open and accessible culture . That's what made us great and that's what we continue to maintain."
What will you be working on in the coming year?
"Although technology is our strength, we are a people company. That's why one of the spearheads is innovation. We are going to investigate how we can use technology better, so that repetitive tasks can be automated and we have even more time for personal contact with our partners and colleagues. At HeadFirst Group, employees are given the freedom and responsibility to get started themselves when they have a good idea. Using technology in the right way creates space for creativity and new ideas."
Would you like to experience working at a Great Place To Work for yourself? Take a look at our vacancies and find the position that suits you perfectly. Want to know more about HeadFirst Group as an employer or a vacancy? Please contact Charlie Windhorst, our Corporate Recruiter on 06 - 36304235 or werkenbij@headfirst.group. We like to think along with you!
"At Sterksen, it's about much more than work - the most important thing is fun."
"At Sterksen, it's about much more than work - the most important thing is fun."
As a recent graduate, it's always a bit of a search for the next step. What are you going to do when all options are open? For Amber Lambregts, a great opportunity came her way: to continue working at the same organization where she did her graduation project. Below you can read how she came to this choice and what she thinks of it so far.
How did you end up at Sterksen?
"I was approached by a fellow student of mine. He told me about the nice atmosphere and the possibilities available. Soon I was at the front door of the monumental building in Breda. During my intake interview and application process, I became very excited to complete my graduation project at Sterksen. Now since last summer I have graduated and am in permanent employment at Sterksen."
What made you stay?
"I got a good picture of the organization during my internship. My graduation project consisted of researching how the different business units within Sterksen could work better together. My colleagues were very helpful and involved, allowing me to apply research methods such as focus groups and a Sterksen (world) café.
The nice thing about this was that as a result, many steps had already been taken by the colleagues themselves to strengthen cooperation. For example, different business units sought each other out more often and involved each other more in ongoing projects. The fact that everyone is listened to, there is a lot of room for personal input, and of course the great colleagues have ensured that I stayed on after my studies. The many fun outings organized to enjoy together besides work also contribute to this. "
What does your role now look like within Sterksen?
"I stepped into the role of corporate recruiter. My colleagues within Sterksen are an expert in the recruitment field, so I find it very instructive to get started here and gain experience. However, I did want to find colleagues for our own organization so that I stay in touch with HR. I really like it so far and am very much in place within Sterksen. Everyone is extremely helpful and there is room to make mistakes. That is especially nice for me - as a newcomer to the job market. After all, I expect to learn a lot here and develop myself as a professional."
Would you like to join the Sterksen team? Then take a look among our vacancies.
Have you spotted our new employer branding video yet?
Have you spotted our new employer branding video yet?
When you think of recruitment, you can't ignore marketing anymore. That's why we offer the service Recruitment Marketing, to help organizations create or expand the employer brand and translate this into targeted campaigns, work-at-home websites and content. And how can it be otherwise than that we also use this for ourselves! For example through our cool new employer brand video.
Our corporate culture revolves around personal attention and commitment, both to our clients and our colleagues. Our team is young, innovative, informal and professional. At the end of 2022, we were even officially certified as a Great Place To Work (GPTW). This was a great recognition of who we want to be as an employer. In the GPTW survey, our employees rated us highly on the themes of fair treatment, diversity & inclusion, responsibility and independence within the job. An example of one of the many great metrics: over 86% of colleagues look forward to coming to work and would recommend Sterksen to friends and family.
This is just a sampling of the Sterksen story we have to tell. For more, check out our employer branding video. And after watching, do you think, "gosh, I want to work in this cozy environment where I can learn and grow a lot?". Then take a quick look at our job openings.
Join the next world of work
Join the next world of work
The next world of work - a theme that indicates how advanced technologies are reshaping the way we work. We are currently in a world where technological advances and human connectivity are increasingly important. As an HR-tech service provider, our ambition is to lead the journey into this new world of work.
This includes an appropriate digital roadmap of technological innovations. Therefore, last year several projects were launched to shape this progress. In our inspiring live tech event "Up Next," we provide quarterly updates on the projects currently in full swing. The third edition of Up Next was marked by the completion of several projects and thus the going live of new platforms and systems, focusing on the customer experience.
So we were taken through the process of implementing improvements in various systems, based on the Kaizen method. Even good processes can be made even better. But how can we specifically improve our services? This became concrete in the explanation of the customer journey. With certain tools we gain insight into the entire customer experience. The foundation of the customer experience is set.
It also highlighted a special moment we are now moving into. Indeed, with the launch of our new platform Striive, our digital strategy is taking concrete form. This is not about the platform itself, but what it can solve for the user. A platform like this can create a lot of added value. With our Partners & Professionals services, for example, we make complex technology seem easy. And that is precisely what we want to create for our users: convenience!
Do you also want to make a difference in the new world of work? Then take a look at our vacancies for all open positions within HeadFirst Group.
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!
It's October again and that means Oktoberfest! Also at Sterksen we celebrate Oktoberfest every year. From the beginning of the month we were already talking about it in the corridors of Sterksen: "Are we really going to wear Oktoberfest outfits?", "Are you looking forward to it too?" and "Have you arranged your dirndl or lederhosen?".
Thursday, October 26 was the day! The Breda office was transformed into a real Oktoberfest with a complete beer cantus: long beer tables, Tiroler hats, beer mugs, Apfelkorn and bratwurst for dinner. Everyone sang along to the German songs in their lederhosen, dirndl and ski suits. After the beer cantus we played games together like table soccer, beer pong and sang some great songs at the karaoke.
What also made this evening so successful? Everyone was present; new colleagues (who had yet to start) as well as colleagues who have been working at Sterksen for some time and even former colleagues. But you didn't notice that because everyone clicked well together. One thing is for sure: gemütlichkeit, that's what you can expect at Sterksen parties!
Cruising the canals of Breda
Cruising the canals of Breda
On September 8, 2023, in the sun-drenched city center of Breda, it was time for the annual Sterksen boat outing. A tradition we maintain to enjoy each other besides working hard. For us a good and pleasant team feeling is the basis of good results on the work floor.
A large club of Sterksen colleagues gathered in the afternoon to sail the canals of Breda for 2.5 hours. With refreshing drinks and a gentle breeze, it was a great time. The BBQ was then turned on to provide everyone with delicious snacks. When the sun with its last rays colored the sky orange, the outing ended with one last drink on the terrace.
It was an enjoyable evening where the focus was on getting to know new colleagues further and above all having fun - and we certainly succeeded. We are already looking forward to the next outing!
Sterksen celebrates 20 years
Sterksen celebrates 20 years
We did not let Sterksen's 20th anniversary go by unnoticed. In 2022, an activity was organized each month to work toward December 2, the day Sterksen was allowed to blow out 20 candles.
The past years were full of adventures, successes, new talents and challenges. Without a team full of motivated and specialized colleagues, we could never achieve this milestone. Therefore, we felt it was important to work towards Sterksen's "birthday" throughout the year. Think of nice surprises at the office, such as massage chairs, scoop ice cream, chocolate milk with whipped cream during working hours. But certainly also the necessary parties. Like a barbecue with live music for all colleagues, their partners and children. We also organized a cocktail party on a hot summer day, where Lead RPO Consultant Naveen delighted us with delicious drinks as an accomplished cocktail shaker. And in October, of course, only one kind of party could take place: an Oktoberfest including German Schlager music.
So under the guise of "birthday treats," founder Donald Derksen dealt out big time. Since Sterksen would not be the same without him, he also deserved to be put in the limelight. That is why a group of colleagues behind the scenes was busy working on a very special gift. A unique painting by and for Donald, which of course got a prominent place in our Breda office.
Just a few days later, we celebrated - to top it off - our anniversary with a smashing party in Roaring 20's theme. A great time to celebrate together, reflect on the past years and certainly also look ahead. Because we are ready for the next 20 years!