Masterclass Improven 2018

Another successful edition of the annual Improven Masterclass took place on Thursday 18 October. The theme of this year's event was Organizational Fitness and the investment climate in the Netherlands in times of a 'festive budget' and economic growth. Over 150 relations and colleagues listened with fascination to the story of Mathijs Bouman, in-house economist of Nieuwsuur and regular columnist of Het Financieele Dagblad. In a humorous way and supported by beautiful images, Mathijs Bouman took us through the economic growth and the tightness in the labour market that has an inhibiting effect on this growth.

Organizational Fitness

Jan Bosman, Managing Partner, kicked off the event and presented the Improven highlights. Besides the well-known spearheads Financial Leadership and Data Driven, Improven coaches various clients, for example, to become structurally fitter and more agile. ''Organizational Fitness' for Improven is the ability to continuously adapt as an organisation, to move quickly and adequately like a chameleon. After all, the rapid development of technology, information needs, laws & regulations and new market players require this.

New labour market tightness: far too much work, far too few people

The introduction was a nice introduction to Mathijs Bouman's talk, which emphasised that even in times of economic boom, companies face several problems. One of the biggest challenges organisations struggle with is attracting new employees. Since the last crisis, unemployment in the Netherlands has fallen much faster than in previous crises. Organisations have had less time to respond well to this rapid change in the labour market.

What is the consequence? The current labour market tightness is inhibiting economic growth, as 'companies are short of hands on the shop floor', meaning not all the work can get done. There are currently over 251,000 job vacancies, the highest number ever. "The biggest problem is not finding more new customers but new staff." Mathijs said. Investing in staff therefore seems the right solution, according to him. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to straighten things out. For instance, companies can think about paying higher salaries, training (un)suitable employees internally and recruiting people aged 55+.

"Do the 'Millennial test': hire a twenty-something and see if he/she stays with the company. If that person leaves, then basically all employees with other ages will want to". Companies can also focus more on using robotics to address staff shortages. The main lesson of this evening: to grow, investment is needed, especially in human resources.

Panel discussion: real-life experiences

Following this, Masha Hennequin (Sales & Marketing Director Improven) led the panel discussion on Organizational Fitness. Panellists Marleen Beumer (Director Ouder- en Kindteams Amsterdam), Fedor van Mullem (Director Services Mandemakers Groep Meubels) and Walter Bien (Finance Director Dredging & Inland Boskalis) discussed the importance of good leadership, the adaptability of their organisation and the challenges regarding Organizational Fitness within different sectors. For instance, Walter Bien indicated that management is expected to be involved in the primary process as well, to experience what the environment is doing and know how to respond to it. Fedor van Mullem talked about going with employees to customers as an 'undercover boss', to experience what is going on with the company and the customer. "It is important to keep the line between management and the floor short, to understand what the work entails, what the business needs and to make good proposals." Fedor said. Marleen Beumer added that you can "must seize the moments to stop and reflect: are we still doing the right things?" In addition, she stated that leadership also plays an important role in Organisational Fitness: "As leaders, you have to set the course and give frameworks, but not control too much".

After well-deserved applause for the speaker and panellists, there was ample opportunity for all guests to chat and toast with blue bubbles at the bar. A fine conclusion to a sparkling evening!

On behalf of Improven, we would like to thank all relations for attending the Masterclass and for their commitment to Improven. We hope to match this success next year!

Authors: Anne Hulsegge and Marnix Pilon, Consultants at Improven