Ask anybody within the Eindhoven workplace who they go to with a query, a problem or to be heard and the reply is sort of 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, hear, empathize and to make Shapeways a spot the place folks genuinely need to work.
Worldwide tradition
Antoinette joined Shapeways with various 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 necessary as a result of I grew up outdoors of the Netherlands.”
She joined Shapeways as Workplace Supervisor and HR Assist, the right position to construct consciousness of the entire workforce and uncover what they wanted for his or her continued success.
A pure shift into HR
Because the workforce grew and developed, so did Antoinette’s accountability. “It felt pure to circulation into extra of an HR position. And the extra I did HR, the extra I liked working with folks. I’m a really a lot a folks individual… and I prefer to suppose that I’m very empathetic. And I feel that’s one thing that folks want plenty of.”
Antoinette’s transition from managing the workplace to main HR with a rising workforce additionally meant greater challenges. On this position she might assist form the expertise of everybody round her. “I feel 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 adverse, ‘my goodness, I’ve to go to HR!’ I don’t suppose that that’s a superb reflection of the position. I need our workforce 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 had been with us earlier than 2024 which is a superb assertion in itself. With such good retention we are actually rising with new workforce members who’re serving to us construct on our steady foundations.”
Antoinette was one of many many who returned after Shapeways’ chapter and helped carry others again too. “Folks had 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 had been returning to? “I feel the worldwide facet of the tradition… the way in which folks talk… All people’s respectful to one another. And persons are allowed to be themselves. We thrive on the number of experiences and outlooks that our workforce members carry.”
Two-way communication
Antoinette was in a position to ‘bridge the hole’ between the pre- and post-bankruptcy Shapeways, bringing learnings ahead to enhance the enterprise. “It’s necessary to know that you may be heard whenever 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 anyone goes to their supervisor and says ‘I’ve a extremely nice concept to arrange this technique’, and the supervisor’s like, ‘Yeah, good concept’ that’s solely half of the communication wanted to drive transparency. I encourage our workforce 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.”
“All people’s utilizing English just about as a second language and folks might be misunderstood”. I see this as a fantastic alternative to grasp nice communication expertise as a workforce. Issues like clarification, recapping conferences, checking in on everybody’s expectations at first to maintain initiatives and groups on observe. These are the abilities we use to make sure nice communication is on the coronary heart of the enterprise.”
Supporting development from inside
Antoinette takes a proactive, private strategy to serving to colleagues develop. “I prefer to take the time to know our workforce members and their objectives, past simply an ‘I’m tremendous!’ response. We guarantee that more often than not, persons 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 workforce members begins with understanding every individual within the workforce. “It’s actually necessary to determine the individuals who want a pat on their shoulder, … I encourage the managers to acknowledge people, have they appeared into who’s performed a extremely good job? Have they expressed the truth that they observed? I really like making these connections and serving to the workforce develop stronger.”
What does it take?
“We prefer 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 need to come and work for us.” Expertise issues, nevertheless it’s not all the things. “If we’re on the lookout for anyone to work within the manufacturing facility, if that individual is enthusiastic and says, ‘I feel 3D printing is superb and I might like to be a part of it!’ I’m already on this individual due to their vitality.”
She additionally values curiosity and openness. “If anyone doesn’t ask me any questions concerning the firm or hasn’t performed their analysis… It reveals that they’re not likely . We’ve got a workforce of expert folks, nice personalities and we’re all curious and engaged, that is the type of factor that stands out at an interview.”
Working collectively within the Eindhoven facility as a workforce is one other a part of what works so nicely in driving a cheerful tradition. “We have to be right here, we have to be shut to one another, we have to act shortly, so we will transfer ahead and supply nice service and merchandise.”
Trying forward
“What excites me is the truth that we’re specializing in what we’re greatest at, 3D printing. And I can’t wait to proceed our development and appeal to increasingly purchasers. I’m excited additionally to have new staff, new those who we will get to know, and to develop.”
Antoinette helps form the corporate’s values for the following part of development. “As we carry new expertise into the workforce it’s important that we’ve 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.”
Retaining issues sensible is a part of the system that Antoinette promotes for sharing Shapeways values. “Folks want to know what the worth is and the way it matches their position. Our values can’t simply be written in a handbook, they must be lived from high to backside.”
