A job, a career or is it a dream escape?
Sander de Wit (1986), cell director Hero Alkmaar.
A job, a career or is it a dream escape?
Sander de Wit (1986), cell director Hero Alkmaar.
“You don't have a job, but a career at Hero”. That sounds good, but how does it work in practice? This is my personal story. Sander de Wit (1986), cell director Hero Alkmaar.
On 1 April 2017, I started as the twelfth employee of Hero, which also made me the first ever trainee in the history of this growth company. I signed my contract in Hoorn and my very first working day I helped move to the new premises in Wognum. That meant lugging, eating pizza and lots of laughter. A great way to get to know your colleagues, if you ask me.
“You don't have a job, but a career at Hero”. That sounds good, but how does it work in practice? This is my personal story. Sander de Wit (1986), cell director Hero Alkmaar.
On 1 April 2017, I started as the twelfth employee of Hero, which also made me the first ever trainee in the history of this growth company. I signed my contract in Hoorn and my very first working day I helped move to the new premises in Wognum. That meant lugging, eating pizza and lots of laughter. A great way to get to know your colleagues, if you ask me.
A job?
I worked at Deen and was on my way to becoming a branch manager. A family-run business with a dynamic environment where you are open 7 days a week and work with young and old.
One day, my neighbour Jeroen de Vries asked if I would like to come and have a look at his company? The click we had as neighbours also turned out to be a match professionally and by the end of the week I had a proposal employment contract in my mailbox. I was allowed to step in as Trainee Recruitment, as mentioned, the first trainee ever. It seemed like a good idea to start working with myself from a slightly more relaxed position. It became a “YES”.
From “hunting” interim professionals, I developed myself towards making the right matches. That worked out very well because then you also have intensive contact with clients and candidates. Within a year, I already got the chance to replace a colleague who went on paternity leave and so I grew further, in my role as Senior Recruiter. Sounds fast and it was.
Some time later, the role of Operations Manager beckoned. Jeroen had already asked me based on my previous work experience and the ambition he experienced. In my mind, I was already preparing myself for that role and to lay a good foundation in terms of content as well, I was offered the Foundation of Management course at Nyenrode. A fantastic course and the network I tapped into there is something I still use today. In May 2019, it was (finally 
) so far. I could confidently take the step to Operational Manager. After all, even with several new colleagues on board as well as a good successor, our team was on strength and continuity guaranteed.
A career?
In the role of operations manager, I worked closely with Jeroen. Clients, growth, quality and recruitment had our continuous attention and focus. We researched what actually makes Hero so unique and successful and formulated our core values:
- Framily:
we believe in networking, cooperation and family spirit - Work Hard, Play Hard:
roll up your sleeves and put your feet in the clay - Super Service-oriented:
we are not service-oriented, we are super service-oriented - The Perfect Match:
Quick scoring does not suit us, we go for the perfect match
We also developed the Hero culture during that time and still monitor it daily. Important aspects of our culture include: anything to get ahead, personal development, exercise and relaxation, onboarding of new colleagues (in my time two half-days and now grown to two whole weeks), team building, the Hero Game Room, consultation structure, HeroToday (the internal platform), coaching, Hero of the Month and much more.
It often sounds so easy “mistakes are allowed” or “everything we say is 100% true”, but how does that translate to practice? We spent hours talking about that with each other during onboarding. Customer name, margins, etc. To me, that's really the core of this company! And the guts to go outside your comfort zone and put your ego aside for a while.
Before the wind ... fun, not always easy
It has not been all hallelujah. Certainly not. A business that grows so fast throws you out of your comfort zone almost daily. During the Corona period, for instance, I had to say goodbye to people I liked. That really wasn't fun and I regularly lay awake because of it.
However, crisis is also often a time for organisational change and personal development. For instance, we introduced the heartbeat of Hero. A consultation rhythm with daily and weekly starts, weekly review meetings and quarterly sessions. We supported departments with pathways for team lead and MT. My part of the MT programme consisted of coaching, off-sites and buddy pathways.
However, rapid growth also led to so-called “corporate traits” where the temptation becomes greater not to take responsibility yourself, to look the other way, or even worse, to blame someone else. This is contrary to the Hero culture as well as the young dog mentality we experienced in the beginning. Time for change, again.
From trainee to cell director
I am fortunate, we are growing very fast and we are getting too big to maintain our essential and distinctive culture as one big branch: short lines of communication, being critical, entrepreneurial and fast. And that's why we choose the cell structure once conceived and applied by Eckart Wintzen of BSO.
Once a branch has around 40/50 employees, it is time to split. Set up two new branches, put together a small management team from your own ranks, the incumbent guards the culture and help pass it on to the new colleagues to be recruited. Lasting enthusiasm and growth opportunities are thus guaranteed.
That step is now in full preparation and we will take it by January 2023. We will split the current head office Wognum into three: the head office in Wognum will remain, Alkmaar and Hoorn will be new.
On 9 January 2023, we will celebrate the kick-off in Alkmaar with a joint New Year's breakfast. Some 25 colleagues will move with us from Wognum and we will also recruit new people. My role will be that of cell director Hero Alkmaar. “Just” rubbing shoulders with each other again. As a team, developing and growing further. This is what has appealed to me from the very beginning at Hero.
Cell division is just such an exceptional organisational choice that supports the growth and development of trainees and offers plenty of opportunities to explore the ideal career.
Headwinds ... spicy and also instructive
What a story. From trainee to cell director in five years. I can hardly believe it myself. Neighbour Jeroen asking me to join him, especially because our sons were in the same class, played together and played football in the same team. Now we call each other over the fence (so to speak), stand together along the line and enjoy our special company Hero.
It has not come to me, certainly not, and I have worked hard for it and enjoyed it. Blood, sweat and tears, I might add. In hours, in energy and in training. You really have to be on top of the ball yourself and that demands a lot. Well, is this a job or a career (judge for yourself). I am truly proud ... of both the company Hero and myself.
In my early days at Hero, I benefited greatly from the knowledge and experience of the “heavyweights” within our organisation. This allowed me to regularly blow off steam, consult with them, enjoy external coaching on the job and gain a lot of background information. Of course, the Nyenrode training also helped me a lot, as did being able and allowed to express the uncertainty that sometimes surfaces.
Working at Hero takes a lot of energy, but I get at least as much in return, not to mention the fun and satisfaction.
Tips for new high-flyers
Finally, some personal tips for future colleagues and trainees who dare to take up a job/career at Hero:
- growth and development will not always feel comfortable
- don't let the fear of failure get in the way
- make mistakes and come back stronger
- dare, show guts, be driven and above all critical ... to yourself and others
- Ask and give feedback, out of respect!
And when Jeroen and I stand along the line with our sons, we like to compare our trainee programme to a balanced youth training programme of a professional organisation.
Last but not least, I am a little jealous of the recruitment of Hero. Of the trainees, the high-potentials and all the other talents. There is such a great onboarding process and so much has already been prepared and worked out. We can quickly benefit from this.
I hope to welcome many more new Trainees to Hero!
Sander de Wit
Not a job, but a career!
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