How did you get to know Gemba?

“After studying logistics management, I organized cycling holidays in Mallorca for a few years. I have been cycling for a long time as a member of the Zaan cycling club. When tourism came to a standstill due to corona, I started working in the Netherlands as a logistics manager at an e-commerce company. There, I came into contact with software optimization. I enjoyed that so much that I wanted to work on it full-time, but there was no room for that. On LinkedIn, I saw a vacancy for a functional consultant at Gemba in Wormer, where I was born and raised. The funny thing was that I often unconsciously cycled and walked past the Gemba office. I eventually sent an email to ask if they were open to a cup of coffee, and two very pleasant conversations followed.”

For which Gemba client are you currently working?

“I work four days a week for network operator Stedin. With a team of ten people, including three Gemba colleagues, we manage IBM Maximo. We are in the middle of an energy transition, and it is great to be involved in that through my work. A group of us have made on-site visits to various high-voltage stations. There you can see what the Stedin mechanics do. It’s impressive what installations they have put in place, what is needed to supply energy. We maintain these installations with IBM Maximo. It gives me satisfaction to improve things.”

How did you make the switch to functional consultant?

“I already had experience with software, how it is put together and works, but I had to get to know IBM Maximo. First, I spent a few months on Gemba’s service desk answering questions from customers. I learned quickly by figuring things out myself or asking colleagues. After that, I started working at Stedin, also to learn. The Gemba colleagues in my team helped me get started and still help me. That works well because each colleague has their own specific experience and knows how to convey it in the right way. It has gone so well that I am still at Stedin (laughs).”

How do you see your future at Gemba?

“I’m looking forward to it! Gemba is an important player in asset management, I can still learn a lot and there are many opportunities. For example, Stedin will build many installations that they want to maintain smartly. I see myself playing a role in that and growing in it. Asset management is also very broad, it is more than just maintenance. If I want to go in a different direction, Gemba is still the right place for me.”