Constructing Tradition, One Dialog at a Time: Antoinette De Gee

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 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 wish to work.

Worldwide tradition

Antoinette joined Shapeways with diversified 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 exterior 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 duty. “It felt pure to move 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 wish to suppose that I’m very empathetic. And I feel that’s one thing that individuals want loads of.”

Antoinette’s transition from managing the workplace to main HR with a rising workforce additionally meant greater challenges. On this position she may assist form the expertise of everybody round her. “I feel HR needs to 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 destructive, ‘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 workforce to know I’m obtainable or will make myself obtainable for them in order that HR is built-in day-to-day within the enterprise”

Homecoming crowd

“Greater than 90% of our present workers have 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 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 deliver others again too. “Individuals have 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 blissful to be right here.” So what’s it that individuals have been returning to? “I feel the worldwide facet of the tradition… the way in which individuals talk… Everyone’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 deliver.”

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’ll 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 someone goes to their supervisor and says ‘I’ve a very nice thought to arrange this technique’, and the supervisor’s like, ‘Yeah, good thought’ 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 must 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.”

“Everyone’s utilizing English just about as a second language and folks could be misunderstood”. I see this as a fantastic alternative to grasp nice communication abilities as a workforce. Issues like clarification, recapping conferences, checking in on everybody’s expectations firstly to maintain tasks and groups on monitor. 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 method to serving to colleagues develop. “I wish to take the time to know our workforce members and their objectives, past simply an ‘I’m wonderful!’ response. We guarantee that more often than not, persons are self-directed and might use their initiative, but when they want it, the help is all the time 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 establish the individuals who want a pat on their shoulder, … I encourage the managers to acknowledge people, have they regarded into who’s accomplished a very 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 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, but it surely’s not every part. “If we’re on the lookout for someone to work within the manufacturing facility, if that individual is enthusiastic and says, ‘I feel 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 someone doesn’t ask me any questions concerning the firm or hasn’t accomplished their analysis… It reveals that they’re not likely . We’ve got a workforce of expert individuals, 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 workforce 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.”

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 entice increasingly shoppers. I’m excited additionally to have new workers, new people who we will get to know, and to develop.”

Antoinette helps form the corporate’s values for the following part of development. “As we deliver new expertise into the workforce it will be significant that now we 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.”

Preserving issues sensible is a part of the components that Antoinette promotes for sharing Shapeways values. “Individuals want to know 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 prime to backside.”