What does your work involve in broad terms?

“I manage the IBM Maximo environment for a number of clients. That ranges from resolving minor faults to implementing new functionality. Then I talk to the client about the structure of processes. My clients are mainly in the oil and gas sector, in which I have built up a lot of knowledge. I have been visiting some companies for seven years, which is how long I have been working at Gemba. I have a lot of contact with the same people, which is very pleasant and personal. The turnover is very low there, just like at Gemba.”

How do you help clients, where does your added value lie in particular?

“I am realistic and if they ask me a question, I come up with an answer that they can use. If I don’t know the answer myself, I consult with my Gemba colleagues. As with one of my first major technical projects, the implementation of a deferral process: how to postpone maintenance in a responsible manner. Ultimately, I developed and implemented the process myself. After that, I did a risk assessment process for the same client. That was similar to the deferral process, but technically it was approached completely differently.”

Which project will you not forget easily?

“During the corona period, a lot had to be done for Dana Petroleum UK. I couldn’t go to Aberdeen, so based on Teams calls with my contact person, I translated the company’s wishes into IBM Maximo and set up a new process for them. Now we are implementing the same process at Dana Petroleum NL. Other branches often have a different view, but we were able to adopt this process one-on-one.”

How did you get into IT?

“I have always been interested in IT. I have never really programmed, but we had a computer at home early on. A Philips MSX, with plug-in modules. If you accidentally touched it, you lost everything. After studying economics, I started working on the project and salary administration of a company. That is actually the only job I have ever had with a link to my studies. I was the liaison to the IT supplier, which fueled my interest. In 2001, I switched to IT as a consultant at a partner of Exact, the supplier of administrative software.”

What makes Gemba a great company to work for?

“The diversity of people is great and everyone is allowed to be who they are. It is a pleasure to go on trips together, such as our company trips to Seville and previously to Portugal.”

How do you see the future at Gemba?

“It remains nice and busy. There is a lot of work with our existing clients, for example to make processes more efficient and sustainable and to assist them in their transition to a more Asset Performance Management driven IBM Maximo environment. In addition, new clients are joining where I can help implement IBM Maximo. So for the time being there is plenty to do!”

What do you do when you are not working?

“I am very involved with my children’s soccer. I have a son of 14 and a son of 16 and I am the age secretary at the soccer club. Together with the team leaders, I make the team arrangements for non-selection teams for children under 13, 14 and 15 years old. I also play myself, I participate in the weekly drop-in soccer on Fridays. And I love skiing, if possible I do that a few times a year.”