Ask anybody within the Eindhoven workplace who they go to with a query, a problem or to be heard and the reply is nearly at all times the identical: Antoinette. Since becoming a member of Shapeways in 2013, she’s worn many hats however her mission has remained constant: to construct belief, pay attention, empathize and to make Shapeways a spot the place folks genuinely wish to work.
Worldwide tradition
Antoinette joined Shapeways with diverse worldwide expertise — from France with Disney, Estée Lauder, Ralph Lauren, to a Dutch recruitment company — this selection made her a pure match. “I knew it was a really worldwide firm. And for me, worldwide is tremendous essential as a result of I grew up exterior of the Netherlands.”
She joined Shapeways as Workplace Supervisor and HR Assist, the right position to construct consciousness of the entire group and uncover what they wanted for his or her continued success.
A pure shift into HR
Because the group grew and developed, so did Antoinette’s accountability. “It felt pure to move into extra of an HR position. And the extra I did HR, the extra I cherished working with folks. I’m a really a lot a folks particular person… and I wish to suppose that I’m very empathetic. And I believe that’s one thing that folks want loads of.”
Antoinette’s transition from managing the workplace to main HR with a rising group additionally meant greater challenges. On this position she might assist form the expertise of everybody round her. “I believe HR must be an easy step for folks to go to… I don’t like that model of HR the place it’s disconnected or deemed to be detrimental, ‘my goodness, I’ve to go to HR!’ I don’t suppose that that’s a very good reflection of the position. I need our group to know I’m accessible or will make myself accessible for them in order that HR is built-in day-to-day within the enterprise”
Homecoming crowd
“Greater than 90% of our present staff have been with us earlier than 2024 which is a superb assertion in itself. With such good retention we are actually rising with new group members who’re serving to us construct on our steady foundations.”
Antoinette was one of many many who returned after Shapeways’ chapter and helped convey others again too. “Individuals have been just about ready, ‘can we come again and work for Shapeways?’ Each single person who we’ve known as again just about got here house and are nonetheless actually pleased to be right here.” So what’s it that folks have been returning to? “I believe the worldwide facet of the tradition… the best way folks talk… Everyone’s respectful to one another. And individuals are allowed to be themselves. We thrive on the number of experiences and outlooks that our group members convey.”
Two-way communication
Antoinette was capable of ‘bridge the hole’ between the pre- and post-bankruptcy Shapeways, bringing learnings ahead to enhance the enterprise. “It’s essential to know that you may be heard if you share your concepts.” She is pushed by dedication to attach and worth everybody’s contribution.
Antoinette stresses the significance of defining and sustaining transparency in communication: “If any person goes to their supervisor and says ‘I’ve a extremely nice concept to arrange this method’, and the supervisor’s like, ‘Yeah, good concept’ that’s solely half of the communication wanted to drive transparency. I encourage our group to ask what occurs subsequent? Who takes the following step? What else do I have to know? And what actual transparency means is that if the lead thinks it feels like a good suggestion, however doesn’t suppose we’re prepared but, that’s communicated again and that the worker is aware of the place they stand. Being on the identical web page is essential to our shared success.”
“Everyone’s utilizing English just about as a second language and folks may be misunderstood”. I see this as an awesome alternative to grasp nice communication abilities as a group. Issues like clarification, recapping conferences, checking in on everybody’s expectations initially to maintain tasks and groups on monitor. These are the talents we use to make sure nice communication is on the coronary heart of the enterprise.”
Supporting development from inside
Antoinette takes a proactive, private method to serving to colleagues develop. “I wish to take the time to grasp our group members and their targets, past simply an ‘I’m fantastic!’ response. We make it possible for more often than not, individuals are self-directed and may use their initiative, but when they want it, the help is at all times there.”
For Antoinette the success Shapeways has skilled in retaining group members begins with understanding every particular person within the group. “It’s actually essential to determine the individuals who want a pat on their shoulder, … I encourage the managers to acknowledge people, have they appeared into who’s executed a extremely good job? Have they expressed the truth that they observed? I really like making these connections and serving to the group develop stronger.”
What does it take?
“We wish to have people who find themselves passionate, who haven’t utilized simply to use to ‘a job’, however have utilized as a result of they actually wish to come and work for us.” Expertise issues, nevertheless it’s not every part. “If we’re searching for any person to work within the manufacturing unit, if that particular person is enthusiastic and says, ‘I believe 3D printing is wonderful and I’d like to be a part of it!’ I’m already on this particular person due to their power.”
She additionally values curiosity and openness. “If any person doesn’t ask me any questions concerning the firm or hasn’t executed their analysis… It exhibits that they’re not likely . Now we have a group of expert folks, nice personalities and we’re all curious and engaged, that is the sort of factor that stands out at an interview.”
Working collectively within the Eindhoven facility as a group is one other a part of what works so effectively in driving a cheerful tradition. “We must be right here, we must be shut to one another, we have to act shortly, so we will transfer ahead and supply nice service and merchandise.”
Wanting forward
“What excites me is the truth that we’re specializing in what we’re finest at, 3D printing. And I can’t wait to proceed our development and appeal to increasingly more purchasers. I’m excited additionally to have new staff, new folks that we will get to know, and to develop.”
Antoinette helps form the corporate’s values for the following section of development. “As we convey new expertise into the group it is vital that we have now good onboarding buildings so we will promote our values, how we would like them to be interpreted and set examples of the values in motion.”
Conserving issues sensible is a part of the components that Antoinette promotes for sharing Shapeways values. “Individuals want to grasp what the worth is and the way it suits their position. Our values can’t simply be written in a handbook, they must be lived from high to backside.”