How did you end up at Gemba?

“Actually, I wasn’t looking for a part-time job at all, I wanted to focus on my studies. I was working on the Culture, Organization & Management master’s program when I was approached via LinkedIn to work on HRM issues at Gemba. I thought, let me take a look, it was only for two days a week. That was in April 2023. After graduating in the summer, I worked for a few more months, then I stopped and went on vacation. At Gemba they said, ‘let us know when you get back’. I did, I liked it so much.”

How long have you been working for Gemba?

“I want to get certified in IBM Maximo Application Suite to help customers make the transition to IBM’s latest asset management platform. Support for their existing IBM Maximo solution will in principle stop in 2025, so it is wise to start doing something about this. Gemba has its own IBM MAS environment and I did a project with the mobile solution within IBM MAS at one of our clients. That’s how I’m already delving into it.”

What are you all working on as an HRM employee at Gemba?

“Gemba is originally a family business that is currently growing strongly. It is a fascinating environment, there are all kinds of small and large HRM projects that I am working on in addition to my daily activities. For example, I am updating our employee handbook with consultancy firm BDO. And together we are shaping the development paths: how do you grow from junior to medior and then to senior? Another topic we are working on is competency management: which competencies belong to which profile? I wrote a short advisory report on that subject during an internship related to my studies. We are also looking at whether we can professionalize our onboarding to offer new employees a soft landing. Connecting to Gen Z is also interesting. I myself belong to that generation. A good work-life balance, diversity, inclusion, sustainability, clarity: these are all aspects that we are critical of. We love innovation and want to develop ourselves as a person and as a professional. Gemba is working on that.”

What do you think of Gemba as an employer?

“Gemba really pays attention to employees. You can also see that in small things, such as the bunch of flowers that new employees receive on the day they start working. And with an anniversary you get a bonus and you are put in the spotlight on Gemba Day. The Gemba outings are also special. They range from skiing to a weekend in Seville for the 25th anniversary and a trip with all the families on a pancake boat.”

How do you see your future at Gemba?

“Very positive! I can help to further develop the HR policy and that is a great challenge. When this policy is in place, it will be good for our organization, our people and our customers. Because if all colleagues are happy, because we support them in the right way from HR, then together we deliver a better service to our customers.”