Ask anybody within the Eindhoven workplace who they go to with a query, a problem or to be heard and the reply is nearly all the time 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 individuals genuinely need 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 vital as a result of I grew up outdoors of the Netherlands.”
She joined Shapeways as Workplace Supervisor and HR Help, the proper position to construct consciousness of the entire crew and uncover what they wanted for his or her continued success.
A pure shift into HR
Because the crew grew and developed, so did Antoinette’s duty. “It felt pure to movement into extra of an HR position. And the extra I did HR, the extra I liked working with individuals. I’m a really a lot a individuals individual… and I prefer to suppose that I’m very empathetic. And I believe that’s one thing that individuals want plenty of.”
Antoinette’s transition from managing the workplace to main HR with a rising crew additionally meant greater challenges. On this position she may assist form the expertise of everybody round her. “I believe HR must be an easy step for individuals to go to… I don’t like that model of HR the place it’s disconnected or deemed to be unfavorable, ‘my goodness, I’ve to go to HR!’ I don’t suppose that that’s a great reflection of the position. I would like our crew 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 good assertion in itself. With such good retention we at the moment are rising with new crew members who’re serving to us construct on our secure foundations.”
Antoinette was one of many many who returned after Shapeways’ chapter and helped convey others again too. “Individuals had been just about ready, ‘can we come again and work for Shapeways?’ Each single individual that we’ve referred to as again just about got here dwelling and are nonetheless actually glad to be right here.” So what’s it that individuals had been returning to? “I believe the worldwide side of the tradition… the way in which individuals talk… All people’s respectful to one another. And individuals are allowed to be themselves. We thrive on the number of experiences and outlooks that our crew members convey.”
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 vital to know that you may be heard while 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 method’, and the supervisor’s like, ‘Yeah, good concept’ that’s solely half of the communication wanted to drive transparency. I encourage our crew 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 seems 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 other people will be misunderstood”. I see this as an awesome alternative to grasp nice communication expertise as a crew. Issues like clarification, recapping conferences, checking in on everybody’s expectations firstly to maintain initiatives and groups on observe. 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 strategy to serving to colleagues develop. “I prefer to take the time to grasp our crew members and their objectives, past simply an ‘I’m nice!’ 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 assist is all the time there.”
For Antoinette the success Shapeways has skilled in retaining crew members begins with understanding every individual within the crew. “It’s actually vital 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 crew 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, however it’s not every little thing. “If we’re searching for anyone to work within the manufacturing facility, if that individual is enthusiastic and says, ‘I believe 3D printing is superb and I’d like to be a part of it!’ I’m already on this individual due to their power.”
She additionally values curiosity and openness. “If anyone 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 crew of expert individuals, nice personalities and we’re all curious and engaged, that is the form of factor that stands out at an interview.”
Working collectively within the Eindhoven facility as a crew is one other a part of what works so nicely in driving a cheerful tradition. “We should be right here, we should be shut to one another, we have to act rapidly, 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 greatest at, 3D printing. And I can’t wait to proceed our development and appeal to increasingly more shoppers. I’m excited additionally to have new staff, new those 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 crew it’s important that we now have good onboarding constructions so we will promote our values, how we wish them to be interpreted and set examples of the values in motion.”
Protecting issues sensible is a part of the formulation that Antoinette promotes for sharing Shapeways values. “Individuals want to grasp 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.”
