Vitality Week at HeadFirst Group
How we invest in your well-being
Vitality Week | 2025
At HeadFirst Group, we believe that working on vitality goes beyond a background initiative. It is a natural part of our way of working. We want you to feel good about yourself. So that you go to work full of energy and fun. That is why we regularly organize activities that encourage you to consciously deal with your health, energy and well-being.
Our Vitality Week is a good example of this. This week focuses on exercise, mental resilience, healthy nutrition and connection. You sport together with colleagues, learn from inspiring speakers and take time to reflect on what you need to stay well balanced.
Curious about what that looks like in practice? We take you along and show you how this week took shape and what it says about working at HeadFirst Group.
A flying start with Sanne Wevers
The kickoff of our Vitality Week was all about inspiration and mental resilience. For that, we had a special guest: Sanne Wevers. Sanne is among the most successful Dutch gymnasts of all time and made history by becoming the first Dutchman ever to win gold on the balance beam at the Rio 2016 Olympics . She shared her story about focus, perseverance and dealing with pressure. All valuable insights that you can also take into your work and daily life.
During her talk, Sanne took us through her journey as an elite athlete. She spoke candidly about setting goals, dealing with setbacks and pushing boundaries. Themes that are not only relevant in sports, but also in the workplace and in everyday life. For colleagues at HeadFirst Group, her story was extra valuable: it underscored the importance of mental resilience, focus and personal growth. Because those who are well balanced not only get the best out of themselves, but also contribute to a stronger team.
Movement and balance
In addition to inspiring stories, there was also plenty of room for exercise and connection during Vitality Week. During the Walk & Talk with our own receptionist Ellen, colleagues discovered the most beautiful spots in the neighborhood. The perfect way to combine fresh air with nice conversations.
The HYROX workouts with our own account manager Melvin Blaauw also provided plenty of action. From a tough leg day to a challenging upper body workout, everyone was able to participate at their own level. The result? Lots of sweat, smiling faces and a strong team spirit.
Nutrition and vitality
At HeadFirst Group, vitality is not only about exercise and relaxation, but also about reflection and personal growth. In our Open up Masterclass, dietician Roos London guided colleagues in discovering the relationship between emotions and eating behavior. By gaining new insights about personal patterns and learning to apply practical tips, colleagues immediately take something away for their daily lives. This is a great example of our core value Learn Every Day: continuous learning and growth.
Wall of Compliments
During Vitality Week, you could surprise your colleagues with a compliment on the Compliments Wall. A small gesture, but with great effect. At HeadFirst Group we find it important that everyone respects and appreciates each other, because that is the basis for a healthy and pleasant working environment. Here you can count on a place where you are seen, where your ideas count and where positivity and appreciation are a normal part of your working day.
Would you also like to work at an organization where vitality is key?
Martijn Wolf
"We want people to feel welcome from day one. The lines are short, the barriers low. You can literally walk into anyone's house.''
Martijn Wolf | Learning & Development specialist
Martijn Wolf (28) has been working at HeadFirst Group as a Learning & Development Specialist for almost two years now. His route to this role began while studying Applied Psychology, where he quickly discovered that his passion lies in training and coaching people within organizations.
Own development
After college, he started as a recruiter to gain experience. Not much later he got the chance to train customer service employees for a year and a half, under the guidance of Marelle Beune, now Recruitment Director at HeadFirst Group. When she transferred to HeadFirst and was looking for someone in the field of Learning & Development, she immediately thought of Martijn. His experience in both recruitment and training proved to be a perfect match.
As a Learning & Development specialist, Martijn is responsible for everything around learning and development within HeadFirst Group. "When I started, there was very little in place. That gave me the chance to build something from the ground up." One of his first projects was revamping Onboarding, but his work goes much further. Martijn gives a lot of internal training himself, with communication as a major theme. This topic is now extra in the spotlight because of the organization-wide implementation of a new communication system. Within this project, Martijn is responsible for the communication part. How do you have a good conversation, with customers, but also with colleagues? His communication trainings play a central role in this. From giving feedback to having a good job interview, Martijn has developed a whole series of practical trainings. Each training starts with a need. "Sometimes it's about new implementation of laws and regulations. Then I gather knowledge from colleagues and translate that into practical work forms, such as a role-play." His goal is always that people not only understand something, but actually apply it in their work. "For me, that's the only measuring tool that counts: if I see it reflected in behavior, then I know the training has been effective."
Learn every day
For Martijn, Learn Everyday is much more than just a fancy term. It is a way of thinking and working. "Technology and the world around us are changing at lightning speed. If you don't keep learning, you will fall behind," he says. For him, it's about constantly improving, whether it's something small or big." Whether it's major technological developments, new legislation or just a better way of customer contact, every bit of development counts within the organization." That's why he focuses on performance-based learning that makes a real difference in everyday work.
Onboarding as the foundation of success
Onboarding at HeadFirst Group is not just an introduction. It is an extension of the culture and core values. Martijn completely revamped the process into a five-week interactive program centered on core values such as Learn Everyday, Connecting People and Customer First.
On the central introduction day, all HeadFirst Group labels come together at the head office in Hoofddorp. New colleagues get acquainted, exchange experiences and immediately build their internal network. This fits perfectly with the core value Connecting People. In addition, new employees learn through sessions and presentations how the organization works and where the key areas of expertise lie. The Onboarding is carried by eight different workshop leaders, each with their own specialty and story. Not only do they share their knowledge, but they also talk enthusiastically about their role within the organization and what you can approach them for. This makes the program personal and ensures a warm welcome. New colleagues immediately experience how accessible and committed the people at HeadFirst are.
Furthermore, each starter is assigned a buddy so there is room for personal guidance from the field. That peer-to-peer guidance fits well with the learning-oriented nature of the organization."When you're just starting out, you need someone who has time, knows your work well and is really there for you." This makes Learn Everyday not just something we say, but something you experience directly.
The content workshops include customer satisfaction, security, sustainability, diversity and laws and regulations. Everything is in line with what HeadFirst stands for: quality, an eye for people and society. In short: Customer First, and really knowing what's going on. Martijn sums it up powerfully: "We want people to feel welcome and prepared from day one. But also that they immediately experience how learning, improvement and collaboration are intertwined."
Open culture
Martijn describes the culture of the organization as professional, but at the same time open and approachable. "We are now over 400 colleagues, but everyone was immediately open to my ideas on training. You don't often see that on this scale." That openness starts at the top. CEO Marion van Happen personally takes the time for each new colleague to get acquainted and hear who they are and what they bring to the organization. "That typifies our organization. The lines are short, the barriers low. You can literally walk into anyone's house.'' It's exactly what appeals to Martijn so much: "We connect organizations with each other, but also consciously seek that connection internally."
"Change is a constant with us. If you are someone who is energized by improvement, by collaboration, by growth, then you are a perfect fit here. You don't have to be able to do everything already. What we are looking for are people who are curious, who want to learn and show themselves. If you bring that, you'll get all the room you need here."
Erix Santman
"There is a lot of knowledge and little ego here. People are eager to work together. If you have a good idea, you get the space to work it out."
Erix Santman | Product Manager
From events to IT
Before Erix joined HeadFirst Group, he worked in the event and music industry for nearly 20 years. Not a standard route to tech, you might think. But for him, it felt like a logical step. "I was doing a lot of legal stuff and systems there. So the switch to IT wasn't really that big of a deal at all." In addition to his work as a product manager, Erix is still active as a DJ and teaches part-time at the conservatory.
The core of Striive
Erix started at HeadFirst Group as a business analyst. He was immediately close to the core of what is now Striive: the platform that connects freelancers, professionals and clients. "I was involved in the very first brainstorming sessions. What should the platform be able to do? Who are we building this for? That whole process of thinking, designing and building immediately appealed to me."
He now works as a product manager within the compliance team. His mission: to make the legal onboarding process for professionals as logical and smooth as possible. "Professionals have to go through dozens of separate steps before they can start working for a client. We have translated that into a streamlined process. From an average of three to four weeks to about ten days. And often even within one day."
Improve based on data
That acceleration is no accident. Erix and his team make continuous adjustments based on feedback, data and test results. "We look at where people take longer or seem to get stuck, then you know: we need to improve something there. Small iterations, but constantly in motion."
To be able to have the right conversation with developers in this, he also delved further into technology. "Among other things, I took a database management course. That helps tremendously in reading the data, making connections and ultimately making better product choices."
Moving forward together
On office days, the team at Erix starts as early as 7 a.m.. Not because they have to, but because it works. "The developers were already doing it, and I really like it now too. You start fresh and can discuss a lot with each other before the rest come in. The team also consists of those real North Holland, hard workers."
What appeals most to him? The collaboration. "With us it is very equal and independent. We make decisions together and everyone feels ownership. That makes the work not only more efficient, but also just more fun."
Learning, growing and staying sharp
"What I find both challenging and incredibly fun is that I work with really smart people. I hear developers and product managers say things that make me think: wow! They make connections at lightning speed and have in-depth knowledge of how to build software as well as how the entire platform works technically. It's just a cool environment to be in." After four years, Erix himself has a good understanding of how everything works. "Certainly within my field and through experience from outside IT, I feel I can really contribute something. But it's that constant interaction with people who each think and build from their expertise that makes the work so fascinating."
According to Erix, that is exactly the strength of working at HeadFirst Group. "I always say: you should never be the smartest person in the room. Well, that's not the case here, and that keeps you on your toes. This is not a job where you can run on routine. It requires you to keep thinking, shifting gears and developing yourself." And there is plenty of room for that. Since he started at HeadFirst Group, Erix has already attended five training courses. "There are ongoing opportunities here that you can tackle, but then you have to make sure you keep up, and that is encouraged here."
A place for people who want to build
What Erix appreciates about HeadFirst Group compared to his previous industry is the open, substantive atmosphere. "There is a lot of knowledge and little ego here. People like to work together. If you have a good idea, you get the space to work it out."
His advice to future colleagues? "You don't have to be able to do everything already. If you are curious, take responsibility and enjoy working together, this is a place where you can grow. "You work here on something that is seen by thousands of people in a short period of time - exactly what I loved most about the dance industry, and I have that same feeling again now at HeadFirst."
Will you become Erix's new colleague?
Diederick van Tellingen
"What does a user think? That's where it starts for me."
"What does a user think? That's where it starts for me."
Diederick van Tellingen | UX Designer
After years of working externally through agencies, Diederick was ready for a place where he could really contribute, grow and build something for the long term. This he found at HeadFirst Group. About his work he is clear: "I love the puzzle. What does the user need, and how can we make that as intuitive and pleasant as possible?"
The road to UX Designer
Diederick studied Communication & Multimedia Design, a course that pairs creativity with technology. "That's where my passion for UX began. Interfaces are everywhere, from ATM to platform. You learn how to create user-friendly digital products."
After eight years working at an agency, for clients ranging from agricultural products to addiction services, he discovered that he preferred to work long-term on one product within one domain. "I was hired as an external by HeadFirst, I saw potential and then knew pretty quickly: this is where I want to stay."
UX: the mix of psychology and design
At HeadFirst Group, Diederick is responsible for the entire user experience of Striive. He does this both on the front end for external users and on the back end for internal colleagues. "For me, UX is psychology and creativity all in one. It's about understanding what users want and how they want it. What's going on in their heads and how do you translate that into something visual and working?"
He works closely with Product Owners and Developers. "We design interfaces that help users get from A to B in a logical way," he says.
Build, test, improve
Creative and technical
Why HeadFirst Group?
Will you become Diederick's new colleague?
From desk to obstacle course: colleagues brave Mud Masters
From desk to obstacle course: colleagues brave Mud Masters
Mud Masters 2025 | Haarlemmermeer
Together through the mud: this is how we do it at Team HeadFirst Group
A temperature of 30 degrees, gallons of mud and dozens of obstacles - that may sound like hard work, but for us it was mostly enjoyment. With 37 colleagues from HeadFirst Group we were at the start of Mud Masters Haarlemmermeer 2025. Spread over 6 and 12 kilometers, we braved slippery slopes, crawl tunnels, ice baths and rope constructions. Together. Because at Team HeadFirst Group you don't push boundaries on your own.
Collaborate
This day was about more than just physical challenge. It was about helping, motivating and encouraging each other - exactly what Connecting People, one of our core values, is all about. In our striking Team HeadFirst Group shirts, we dragged each other through the toughest parts. Not for nothing do we say: we dare to win.
Top sportsmanship on and off the job
Besides the sweat and sore muscles, this day provided a lot of energy above all. Energy that we also put into our work. Because within HeadFirst Group we believe that the power of sports - perseverance, team spirit, focus - fits perfectly with the way we work and grow. That is also why we Team HeadFirst Group created: a program that connects colleagues through sports, health and shared experiences.
Also part of HeadFirst Group?
Eva Voskuil and Danieck van Geijlswijk
''Working at HeadFirst Group helps me tremendously. I immediately recognize theory in practice, which makes studying easier.''
Eva Voskuil & Danieck van Geijlswijk | Working students
Working as a working student at HeadFirst Group
Are you a student and looking for a challenging side job that perfectly matches your studies and boosts your resume? At HeadFirst Group as a working student you get the chance to gain practical experience in a professional working environment. Eva Voskuil (19, Marketing & Communications) and Danieck van Geijlswijk (22, HR) both work at HeadFirst Group for one and a half years and tell us what it's like.
For both students it is clear: practical experience is super valuable. Danieck, who is in the final year of her HR studies, says: "Working at HeadFirst Group helps me tremendously. I recognize theory directly in practice, which makes studying easier." Eva, first-year Business Studies, adds: "My studies are broad and through this work experience I now know better which side of Marketing & Communications I like best." The flexibility in working hours makes it easier to combine work and study. Eva: "Sometimes I work two half days and one full day, and another week differently. That makes it easy for me to combine my work at HeadFirst Group with my studies." Danieck adds, "I can determine my days myself, which allows me to coordinate work, study and private life well."
The ideal mix of flexibility
HeadFirst Group offers the opportunity for working students to work hybrid. This is convenient if you have just had college, for example. Eva: "Sometimes I work at home for a few hours after a morning lecture, which saves travel time and is efficient." Still, both prefer working in the office. Danieck: "You learn the most by being physically present. At the office you also develop socially and build a bond with your colleagues faster." Eva adds: "The social contact and sociability in the office make the work extra fun."
Not a working student, but full-fledged colleague
What sets HeadFirst Group apart is the way work students are treated as full-fledged colleagues. Eva and Danieck, for example, have official job titles: Eva as Marketing & Communications Officer and Danieck as HR Assistant. What do you do on a workday in this role?
Eva: "I work on internal and external communications, from social media to newsletters and website management. That gives a lot of responsibility and ensures that I learn quickly." Danieck plays an important role within HR, supporting various operational tasks: "For example, I deal with contract renewals, salary changes, absence registration and the Onboarding for new employees. "
''I really like that I can arrange my hours flexibly - that way it's always easy to combine with school.''
Lots of learning, lots of variety
Both Eva and Danieck work closely with different departments within HeadFirst Group. Eva: "Our Marketing and Communications team works a lot with HR, Facility & Events and team Engineering, especially for managing the website and internal communications. We also support Public Affairs in disseminating updates on legislation and regulations."
Danieck works with almost all teams within the organization: "HR deals with everyone. For example, I have a lot of contact with Marketing & Communications and with Corporate Recruitment for offers to possible new starters. This makes the work very dynamic." These collaborations provide broad development, according to both ladies. In addition, their work experience at HeadFirst Group gives them a new perspective on their field. Eva: "At school I mainly learn about marketing models, but here I notice how creativity and strategy come together in practice. That is a valuable addition to my studies." Danieck: "I learned how HR policy really works. What sometimes remains abstract in college, I can directly apply here."
"I thought I would mainly put school knowledge into practice, but through this work I actually understand my studies better - and that's a nice bonus.
projects to be proud of
Both students have already completed impactful projects. Eva: "I spent months working on the launch of the new Striive website and I'm getting to work on revamping HeadFirst Group's social media channels." Danieck: "I have a role in the onboarding of new employees and it's nice to see that colleagues appreciate it." Onboarding is the process in which new employees are introduced to the organization. This begins on the first day of work and continues for five weeks until they are fully settled in.
A work atmosphere where you can be yourself
What makes HeadFirst Group such a great place to work? Eva and Danieck quickly agree: the open and warm working atmosphere. Danieck: "You can be 100% yourself here. Everyone is accepted as they are." Eva adds, "It's a place where you are challenged to grow, but where you also really feel at home."
Eva also emphasizes how important her supervisor Natasja Spooren-Wassenaar (Manager of Marketing & Communications) is to her: "Natasja gave me a lot of trust and space to develop myself from the beginning. Her guidance ensured that I quickly felt at home within the team and that I could really contribute something."
Finally, tips for prospective work-study students.
For students looking for a side job alongside their studies, they have a clear message: just do it! Danieck: "My studies are easier thanks to this place. You have your evenings and weekends free, it's well paid and you get a warm team in return." Eva also emphasizes the benefits for your career: "Many students get stuck after their studies because they have no experience. This is the perfect way to get a head start already and build your network."
Will you become Eva and Danieck's new colleague?
Wouter Schils
''The best thing about my job is the autonomy I experience - the freedom to make my own choices and the responsibility to really make an impact.''
Wouter Schils | Online Marketer
From recruiter to Online Marketer
Originally from Maastricht, but now living in Amsterdam, 33-year-old Wouter began his career as a recruiter after studying Labor and Organizational Psychology. Soon his interest in digital marketing grew, upon which he decided to further specialize in this field through an external education and a traineeship. After various roles as Campaign Marketer, CRO specialist and Brand Marketer, he made the move to HeadFirst Group. "I regularly saw HeadFirst Group passing by and already knew a few people within the organization. It quickly became clear to me that this is a professional group of people and a great organization within the HR & Recruitment sector. When I saw that there was a vacancy open for Online Marketer, the choice was quickly made."
The challenge and autonomy in his role
As an Online Marketer, Wouter focuses on developing and optimizing digital marketing campaigns with a focus on measurable results. He strategically deploys channels such as SEO and social advertising to maximize online visibility, growth and conversions for clients, professionals, partners and potential colleagues. "The best thing about my job is the autonomy I experience. I get the space to make choices and develop strategies independently. This has helped me mature professionally. Moreover, I can identify the needs of stakeholders within the organization and respond proactively. The freedom and trust I get in this makes my work enormously valuable." Wouter continues: "He also finds it important to support colleagues within the Marketing & Communications team and share his knowledge. I notice that colleagues seek me out with questions about how to measure the effectiveness of their own projects using data."
Projects to be proud of
Among other things, Wouter has an important role in Employer Branding campaigns. "We work continuously to make HeadFirst Group more visible as an employer and to position it more attractively. Through data analysis and optimizations, we can make increasingly effective choices, bringing more professionals into contact with our organization and the opportunities we offer. This leads directly to more interaction."
Wouter's development within HeadFirst Group shows how many opportunities the company offers. "I started here with a focus on execution, but now I work more and more on a strategic level on projects and processes.
"Within our team, we are always there for each other and help each other out the moment someone gets stuck. This cooperation not only makes the work more fun, but also ensures that we continue to grow as a team."
The top sports mentality as a driving force within HeadFirst Group
The top sports mentality within HeadFirst Group is all about continuous improvement, collaboration and getting the best out of yourself and the team. 'Together' and 'better every day' are important values within the organization. As in top sports, this is about a winning mentality, in which innovation and knowledge sharing are central.
Wouter recognizes this mentality in practice. "Colleagues want to get the best out of themselves. However, this does not mean that you always have to work at full speed; instead, there is room to set your own pace and approach." Within Team HeadFirst Group, this mindset is actively encouraged by learning together, challenging each other and continuously looking for improvements, both individually and collectively.
Why work at HeadFirst Group?
Wouter encourages everyone to come and experience the atmosphere at HeadFirst Group for themselves. "You get the space here to take initiatives and suggest improvements. You are really listened to and you have the freedom to shape your own work."
And as icing on the cake? "For the Limburgers among us: you get an extra day off that you can use during Carnival, for example, a nice bonus! Within our working method we use the D&I day: an extra day off that you can take to celebrate a holiday that is not standardly recognized as an official day off in the Netherlands. This allows you to celebrate what is important to you.
Do you want to be part of an organization where autonomy, growth and collaboration are key? Check out our vacancies and discover what HeadFirst Group can do for you!
Will you become Wouter's new colleague?
Christine Koekkoek
"I didn't completely let go of my medical background - I wanted to do something with and for people, but in the technical corner. That comes together at HeadFirst Group: Tech & People connected."
Christine Koekkoek | Product Manager
Christine Koekkoek begon haar loopbaan in de medische wereld, maar ontdekte al snel dat haar hart ligt bij creativiteit, technologie en het oplossen van complexe vraagstukken. Via verschillende startups rolde ze het productmanagement in, waar voor haar alles samenkomt: bouwen, samenwerken en continu verbeteren.
At HeadFirst Group, Christine started as a Business Analyst and in no time advanced to Product Manager. Now she leads the team that is responsible for Enrolment & Retention within Striive - the platform for professionals, suppliers and clients. "We develop functionalities that really help people - from registration to long-term use - and do so in close cooperation with our users. Feedback is our fuel."
From feedback to innovation
One of her first projects? Improving the search experience for freelancers. "Users reported that the assignment page was not intuitive enough. We listened, designed, tested and rolled out. The result: a faster and more enjoyable assignment search," Christine says. That customer-centric approach is deep in HeadFirst Group's DNA. "We continuously analyze feedback and translate it into concrete product improvements. This is how we build a platform that is ever more attuned to the real world." She doesn't do this alone. "I work with a fixed product team: a designer, software engineers and a tester. At the beginning of the week, we set a goal, and every morning we review what is needed to meet that goal. We work pragmatically and agile, continuously delivering value in small steps, and always improving based on what we learn."
International growth with impact
Christine works with her team on projects that make an impact across borders. For Impellam Group - the international company with which HeadFirst Group forms HeadFirst Global - they are developing, among other things, a self-service module for supplier onboarding. "With this we save time, increase quality and ensure that suppliers can start faster," Christine explains. But it's not just about efficiency. "We are also looking at new ways to attract talent, both locally and internationally. This is essential for our ambition to become the largest flex talent pool in Europe and an attractive partner for international clients. That's where things get really interesting." And there's more in the pipeline. "We are preparing Striive for international rollout. Think about integrating systems, data structures and processes that work not only in the Benelux, but also in the UK, US and Australia. Each choice we substantiate with data, prototypes and validations - this is how we build sustainable, scalable solutions."
Growing as a professional and a person
International cooperation brings not only technical challenges, but also personal growth. "I work with people from all kinds of countries, each with their own way of working and culture. That requires flexibility and good communication. It is challenging, but also incredibly educational - especially in the area of change management and strategic international cooperation."
You + HeadFirst Group = building the future
For Christine, it was important to work at an organization that fit her values. "I didn't completely let go of my medical background - I wanted to do something with and for people, but in the technical corner. At HeadFirst Group that comes together: Tech & People connected." Her message to future colleagues? "At HeadFirst Group you get the freedom and responsibility to really build something. If you are curious, show initiative and enjoy working at the intersection of technology and people, you will feel right at home here. You don't have to be able to do everything already - if you want to grow, you'll get all the room you need."
Will you become Christine's new colleague?
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!
Joris de Vreede
"We do it all ourselves: problem & solution discovery, and then ultimately building, deploying and managing software."
"We do it all ourselves: problem & solution discovery, and then ultimately building, deploying and managing software."
Joris de Vreede | Product Owner
Joris de Vreede is product owner of the Select platform, which will get a new user interface and new name (Striive) later this year. He joined HeadFirst Group on a permanent basis after years of freelancing. "I was a client myself. An (independent) professional who picked up projects at several of our clients. So in that sense I have affinity with the business, but that is not the reason I joined. The main reason was the team and the fact that I can really make a difference here with my colleagues. We are at the controls ourselves and determine - in consultation with our stakeholders - which customer problems we want to solve, in what way and for whom. As a result, a lot of growth is possible and fortunately so, because I don't like to sit still."
Close to the organization's strategy
In the four years Joris has been with HeadFirst Group, the organization has grown as much as ten times in several areas: revenue, number of users and transaction volume. As a result, the demands on the product have also increased at a rapid pace. "If we are even a few minutes down with the platform we immediately have our colleagues at our desk because professionals are already reporting by phone."
In the beginning, the team consisted of three engineers, but now there are three full-fledged teams creating and managing the entire platform end-to-end. "That's also what I love about our team. We are close to the strategy of the organization because the organization runs on our product. We are responsible for the product vision, product strategy and also software delivery. We do it all ourselves: problem & solution discovery, and then ultimately building, deploying and managing software."
"That's also what I love about our team. We are close to the strategy of the organization because the organization runs on our product."
Customer First
What problems are our customers running into? That's what the BizDevOps team focuses on. "Together with stakeholders, we examine the bottlenecks among our independent professionals, suppliers, clients and our colleagues. We then devise possible solutions, create software or integrate software from the cloud onto our platform. This is how we make our customers' lives a little better."
What is your product vision?
"We want to give zp'ers, suppliers and clients access to the entire market of temporary knowledge supply and demand and let them trade with each other as easily as possible, with and without our intervention. On our platform you can already find the most assignments, the best and most professionals. At the same time, you see that we can still improve a lot in searching and matching professionals and assignments, especially with the revolution in AI going on right now. We want to enable zp'ers, suppliers, clients to have an agreement with each other or with us with one click. Our compliancy is intense, files are getting more and more extensive. We want to make this as easy as possible. Our aim: to prepare an agreement within 15 minutes on a mobile device. In addition, we want to unburden professionals in their entrepreneurship and career through our Professionals & Partners services."
We support four value chains: search & match, contracting & invoicing, Professionals & Partners services and, today, a new service "Direct clients." For these chains, teams will become more organized around solving specific problems. "That work is incredibly valuable. Based on feedback and data, we start by defining a question or challenge that exists among our clients. Then we interview customers about it, create prototypes, validate them and then build software and deploy it to production. This is how we get closer and closer to solving our customers' problems."
Will you become Joris' new colleague?
We are always looking to strengthen our organization. Take a quick look at our open positions in Hoofddorp or at one of our other locations!
