ChatGPT, AI and robotics will be showcased at our internal digital release event
ChatGPT, AI and robotics will be showcased at our internal digital release event
As an HR-tech service provider, we are working hard to create "The Next World of Work." A transparent and balanced labor market, without prejudice, in which organizations and talent are perfectly connected. To realize this, we are taking huge steps in the field of technology. Not only because it fits within our digital roadmap - becoming the number one tech platform - but also because we are convinced that with technology we provide a better service. Tech Enables Touch.
Technological developments are following each other ever faster. ChatGPT, AI, robotics: these are just a few examples that we use to the organization's advantage. To bring and keep all colleagues up to date on this, we organize a special tech event "Up Next" every quarter.
Technological developments within our organization
During this event, colleagues from different departments climb the stage for an update on current projects. Using our semicircular projection screen, the coolest developments are shown. For example, our Data Manager showed a new self-developed benchmark tool. This has been made available on our smart matching platform Striive and allows professionals to easily see, for example, what an average rate is for a data analyst.
Next, our Recruitment Manager showed the results of our virtual assistant Benthe. This robot helps our recruiters enter applications, giving them more time for personal contact with suppliers and professionals. She also reduces repetitive work, which makes the work a lot more fun for our colleagues.
Furthermore, our development team is also busy with technological improvements for contract management. The goal: to reduce the contract management flow from several days to 15 minutes. Ambitious? Certainly. But not unachievable with the planned improvements.
With two editions already in our minds, the next one is scheduled for October. We are again counting on a packed program with updates of new cool technological developments. Will you be there next time? Then take a look at our vacancies. For a sneak peek you can watch the video below.
Thanks to MyCademy, we can always offer our people appropriate learning experiences
Thanks to MyCademy, we can always offer our people appropriate learning experiences
Since 1995, HR-tech service provider HeadFirst Group has been a knowledge broker between independent professionals, suppliers and clients with the aim of allowing professionals to excel in their work and clients to use their expertise without worries. Joke de Graaf, responsible for HR & Organization, tells why HeadFirst Group chose the MyCademy Learning Experience Platform and what the platform and the cooperation brings them.
Learn every day
HeadFirst Group has experienced explosive growth in recent years. In about five years we went from 70 to almost 500 employees. Such growth brings with it a transition among employees, but also clients now expect more from us. This means, among other things, that we have grown from generalist roles to more specialized roles. We also invest in the growth of our talents, which increases the bond with our organization and stimulates internal flow, which in turn is important for further innovation and growth. Not for nothing is one of the core values of HeadFirst Group: 'Learn every day'. Making mistakes is allowed, as long as we learn from them. Continuous improvement is the norm.
Learning Experience Platform
About two years ago we started working with MyCademy's Learning Experience Platform, the training platform we internally call "HeadFirst Group Academy. In this learning environment, all our employees can follow (online) trainings, virtual labs or bootcamps. It is very flexible and employees can choose what suits them, in terms of content, form and time. Every month the platform is supplemented with new training courses and other learning materials. What is also very valuable is that we can create learning paths and with this we can also offer internal training courses online. A special learning path has been created, specifically for HeadFirst Group, with all the things we focus on, such as customer relations, design-thinking, agile working and time management.
'In our view, such an advanced learning platform is a basic requirement for an organization like ours.' Joke de Graaf
Appropriate learning experiences
To encourage people to use the platform, we made it part of our onboarding process. During onboarding, new employees receive a separate session in which they become familiar with the platform. Moreover, we actively involve executives in the learning process of their team members. We generate monthly reports that give executives insight into progress. This allows them to see how much is being learned by their team members and whether additional support is needed somewhere. It gives executives concrete data to use during one-on-one meetings and feedback sessions. If employees need a specific training or course, they can search the database for suitable solutions. If there isn't one, we can always turn to MyCademy, so we can always offer our people appropriate learning experiences.
A partner who thinks along in all areas
MyCademy 's L&D team helps us with challenges around training plans and development goals, for example. We can also use their expertise when it comes to getting our employees to truly embrace learning. We especially interact with Martine Broekman, their manager of Learning & Development. She is enormously helpful, always thinks with us and she is also very nice in her contact. It's nice to have such a proactive partner. For example, when we introduced our core values, MyCademy helped us think about which training courses fit well with them. And early this year, they held a number of sessions for our managers. These not only addressed how we could further stimulate learning in our teams, but MyCademy was really curious about how they could improve their solution even further. There are many learning platforms out there, but MyCademy's Learning Experience Platform is not just another learning platform. MyCademy offers a combination of a smart learning platform, extensive training offerings, daily support and is truly a partner in knowledge development.
Source: MyCademy
HeadFirst Group climbs Alpe d'HuZes and raises 53,000 euros for KWF
HeadFirst Group climbs Alpe d'HuZes and raises 53,000 euros for KWF
On June 1, 2023, the sixteenth edition of Alpe d'HuZes took place on the flanks of the Alpe D'Huez. Under the motto "giving up is not an option," 5,000 participants started at 4:30 a.m. walking or cycling to climb the famous French mountain. Eighteen of these participants were part of HeadFirst Group. They did this not only for the sporting challenge, but precisely to raise as much money as possible for KWF. All the money raised during the Alpe d'HuZes goes to KWF for scientific cancer research within various themes.
Connection to each other
With great enthusiasm, 18 colleagues signed up. Each with their own reason. Organizer Koen van Rijn's reason was clear. "I am cycling for my mother who lost the battle to cancer last year, but also for all my dear family, friends and colleagues who are currently fighting for recovery. In addition, I think it's great that we took on this challenge with a large group of colleagues. This definitely adds to the connection with each other."
Co-organizer Tamara Boeff also agrees. "Health is not self-evident, because I am healthy, I want to dedicate myself to KWF. I think it's great that I was able to climb the mountain together with my colleagues. It was absolutely grueling, but that also gives a fantastic feeling when it succeeds."
Sponsors thank you!
In total, our colleagues raised 53,000 euros for KWF. A huge amount that we are extremely proud of. We would therefore like to thank everyone who donated and in particular our sponsors: Alicia Insurance, Nétive VMS, Intelligence Group, Energize, Basis Cloud Solutions, Werf&, Ciphix, Millenaar Adviesgroep B.V., FinanceFactor Executive Finance Professionals, doen'r, Scotty Technologies, IT Topdogs, MyCademy - The Learning Platform for Guaranteed Growth 🌱, CodeBridge, Simon-Kucher, That's Lease, ImpactWork.io, Branding Office Furniture B.V., FTI Consulting, Buckles and Up In Business!
Together we achieved this wonderful amount to hopefully increase the life chances of people with cancer.
Our Today's Boss switches with Tomorrow's Boss on Thursday, June 1
Our Today's Boss switches with Tomorrow's Boss on Thursday, June 1
Every child has talent. That is why we are fighting together with JINC for a society in which your background does not determine your future. We are therefore extremely pleased to welcome the "Boss of Tomorrow" to our headquarters on Thursday, June 1!
About Boss of Tomorrow
JINC is an organization that helps young people on their way to work. Together with companies and schools, JINC fights for a society where your background does not determine your future. Baas van Morgen is an initiative of JINC and consists of an exchange between children and the Dutch business community. They introduce children who could use a helping hand to professional success. During JINC Baas van Morgen, these young people sit in the chair of a CEO, director or politician. They sit in on meetings and research a particular issue. In this way, JINC seeks to increase opportunity for young people throughout the Netherlands.
Our Bosses of Tomorrow
On Thursday, June 1, elementary school students, Nigel and Lakeysha, will climb into the chair of Simone van Groeneveld, Managing Director Staffing MS. This day they will work with Simone and consider various issues. We are very much looking forward to their arrival and their new ideas and creative expressions!
Back to the 70s with the 'Disco Classics Reloaded' party
Back to the 70s with the 'Disco Classics Reloaded' party
For one evening we were back in the 70s with the disco hits of the time. At the end of April all colleagues from our various locations came together to party, dance and toast in our own theater. Completely transformed into a true disco club, our colleagues walked around completely themed. Flared pants, glitter suits, sequins, wigs and especially lots of color. It was a party to remember! Want to get an idea of what kind of company parties we organize? Then be sure to check out our aftermovie!
Annual Report: HeadFirst Group as an employer
Annual Report: HeadFirst Group as an employer
Our annual report for 2022 has been presented. We had a successful year on all fronts. We welcomed new clients and once again succeeded in helping more professionals - independent and employed by our suppliers - find valuable assignments. The new brands in our group found their niche. And to top it off, we were named a Great Place to Work.
We developed tremendously as an employer in 2022. We opened our new, state-of-the-art and energy-neutral headquarters in Hoofddorp and also improved our location in Rotterdam. We focused on making a place that could easily compete with home. And it worked. We had no problems with employees struggling to find their way back to the office after Covid-19. That said, we still facilitate hybrid working and encourage an optimal work-life balance.
Fully in line with our core value 'Connecting People', in 2022 we invested a lot in connecting our own people. We organized parties in our own HeadFirst Group Theater, various teambuilding activities and an end-of-year 'Roaring 20's dinner'. To optimally support our employees in circumstances when things are unexpectedly less good mentally, we entered into a partnership with OpenUp. This gives our colleagues easy access to a qualified psychologist, with whom they can discuss all kinds of issues, small or large, private or work-related.
All of this was greatly appreciated: in 2022, we were 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. We are enthusiastically working on the areas for improvement that emerged from the GPtW survey.
Curious about all our Facts & Figures on HR? Check out this dashboard: (pg. 43 & 44 from the annual report)
A good and varied lunch at our headquarters
A good and varied lunch at our headquarters
A sumptuous buffet of healthy smoothies, sandwiches or flavorful coffee and fresh tea. That's what we do it for! At HeadFirst Group we think it's important that all colleagues can enjoy a healthy and varied lunch. But not only that! Our new caterer 'Leo' is present from 09:00 to 14:30 so you can get different thanks or something tasty throughout the day. For this purpose, the first floor of our headquarters has been completely transformed and furnished for the buffet and coffee bar since Monday, February 6.
A sumptuous buffet with a smoothie, sandwiches or a cup of coffee. That's what we do it for! At HeadFirst Group we find it important that all colleagues can enjoy a healthy and varied lunch. But not only that Therefore, since Monday, February 6, the first floor of our headquarters is completely transformed and decorated to our new lunch buffet and coffee bar.
So what can I think of?
In the morning, you'll find tasty croissants, muffins and snack bars in the restaurant. When lunch starts at noon, there is a colorful salad buffet, several fresh sandwiches and a tasty soup, among other things. And, because it's best to spoil ourselves after a hard week's work, Friday is snack day! All this from fresh and honest products for a reasonable price. In short: something for everyone! All this is provided by our caterer 'Leo'. Every day all colleagues come together to relax around lunch. This allows for productive work in the afternoons.
Have you become curious about the range of our restaurant and are looking for a new challenge? Then have a bite to eat during an interview for one of the following vacancies soon!
Do you join the next world of work?
What does HeadFirst Group stand for? Why do we do what we do? And what do we want to achieve? We kick off 2023 with the answer to these pressing questions: join the next world of work!
Purpose is the moral foundation of the company. It guides how we conduct ourselves, how we act and the decisions we make. In short, who we are and how we do our things. Whereas we had a lot defined and described around our strategy in 2022, our Home Run program revealed that it was not felt sufficiently. By establishing our purpose, we put a perfect layer on this strategy, making it live for everyone inside and outside the organization. Together, we set one ultimate goal that is clear to everyone. This is the only way we can work toward success. With all our locations, departments and colleagues.
The search for our purpose
A project team with colleagues from (almost) all teams got the chance - with the help of marketing agency Energize - to flesh out what HeadFirst Group stands for as an organization and how to describe our common purpose. And because there is no lack of team spirit within HeadFirst Group, it was important for us to kick off the purpose together. We did this in a festive way with a dinner, for which all colleagues came together at headquarters.
We are ready: Join the next world of work! We are proud to take you into our purpose through this fantastic video.
The world is constantly moving and changing faster and faster. Technological, ecological, social and political changes have an impact on the labor market, for professionals and the way we organize work. At HeadFirst Group, we believe that continuous change is the only constant here. Together with our fast growing network we strive for one common goal: a transparent and balanced job market, without prejudice, in which organizations and talent are perfectly connected. At HeadFirst Group, we are driven and constantly challenge ourselves to improve the job market for professionals.
Join us!
Meanwhile, more than 350 passionate colleagues contribute in his or her own way to this common goal. Will you join too? We are always looking for talent 'to join the next world of work'. For example as a Contract Manager or Agile Test Engineer. Take a look at our vacancies and apply immediately!
Attention to your mental well-being
Attention to your mental well-being
How employees feel, are in their skin and whether they have enough energy. We think mental health is important. That is why we have joined forces with OpenUp - an organization whose mission is to make mental well-being accessible to everyone - so that we can make tools available to colleagues. With these tools, they can work on their own development. Both emotionally and mentally, in private situations and at work.
Personal development
Mental health is a big part of your personal development. Within HeadFirst Group, we think this is very important and is also included in our core values of 'Learn everyday', 'Connecting people', and 'Customer first'. As an organization, we strive to make everyone feel good. With various initiatives such as the Power Up club, D&I task force, and now joining forces with OpenUp, we are taking a big step in this direction. But more importantly, from now on all employees within HeadFirst Group have access to all kinds of resources to work on their mental health, such as 1 on 1 consultations with psychologists, mindfulness consultations, online handbooks, and more. These tools help everyone become more resilient, something that is not unnecessary in today's times.
Keep on developing yourself
In addition to having access to the online platform OpenUp to work on mental health, all colleagues have access to the HeadFirst Group Academy. So colleagues now have the opportunity to work on multiple aspects of their personal development. Together we continue to work to create a safe environment where everyone can talk openly about mental wellbeing.
Do you want to keep developing yourself? And do you like to work on your mental health? Within HeadFirst Group we are always looking for new talent. View the current vacancies here.
Flying through our headquarters
Flying through our headquarters
At the beginning of this year, we moved into a colorful, ultramodern and energy-neutral headquarters in Hoofddorp. By now, all colleagues have found their way to the flexi-workstations, make fanatical use of the gym and enjoy the bar to the full. In addition, various internal and external events have already been organized in our exclusive in-house theater, including a real Family Day and the largest HeadFirst Group HQ Housewarming for all our external relations.
Working hard to create a 'home'
In the past six months we have worked hard to completely redesign the office to the wishes of all our colleagues. For example, the bar has been remodeled, there is a homely atmosphere - due to the redecoration - and the core values of our organization are excellent to find through beautiful wall visuals.
We are proud of our "home" and don't want to deprive you of it any longer. Have you always wanted an exclusive glimpse of our new headquarters? You can with a cool flight through our headquarters. Check it out here!
Do you also like the idea of working here? And would you like to drop by? We are always ready with a cup of coffee or tea and for a pleasant conversation. Take a look at all vacancies!