Kees-Jaap van Nes: “I like to say that I work for Ampelmann as the core values make me feel like an integral part of the company”

Core values that shape the way you work

“As a project manager,” Kees-Jaap says, “I’m both involved in innovations and managing a team, but I particularly like the values of Ampelmann because they are friendly and personally driven. When applying the core values in work, they come out naturally, but working with others who share the same values makes it easier to align and it also helps the decision-making process. Everybody has to take decisions on the level of the work they're doing and if you know how the company thinks, that really helps.

Safety lies at the heart of Ampelmann, it is part of the company’s DNA. This is as true for offshore as it is for onshore work, something that Kees-Jaap is especially aware of: “Sometimes, my professional and personal side can come into conflict. When they do, I always refer to the core values, that’s why we have them. I'm happy that Ampelmann says: ‘stay safe’ so I can resolve this tension. For example, when someone is ill, recovery takes precedence over work. I'm really pleased that the company supports me in that human side of my role and this makes my job so enjoyable.”

Ampelmann is constantly developing new systems, designs and ideas to drive engineering excellence. This core value strengthens Kees-Jaap’s resolve to achieve his personal and professional goals. “We push ourselves and we like to do this to take that extra step. We have to keep looking inside and outside ourselves. We like to have the best gangway and to stay innovative as a company. We love to develop new products and ideas and I particularly like that that we, as both a team and a company, are doing that.”

“The innovations department is a very large part of Ampelmann, so, naturally, we sometimes have different points of view. Especially when we are not aligned, we can look back at the core values for reflection on what the company stands for. In these situations, we have to think: ‘What is most important for us as a company?’ So professionally, our core values help with the decision making and to drive engineering excellence.”

A central tenet of Ampelmann’s vision is to pursue change on all levels even if this means making mistakes. Daring to make a difference is a key core value that is critically important to his work. As he says, “at Ampelmann people have the same attitude to change and that's what I like. There is a learning culture which is refreshing, encourages me to adapt, and it makes it easier for me to say: ‘Yes, let’s try something new.’ It does not matter if new ideas don’t come to fruition as long as you share what you learnt instead of making the same mistake.”

Crucial to Kees-Jaap’s approach to the core values is to get everybody aboard and to work closely with all his colleagues as well as external clients. As he says, “being one team is especially important to me because it makes my work more enjoyable and I think it leads to better results. Ampelmann is the right size to have a good balance between collegiality and familiarity. It makes it easier to do things together, which means we can get into a better workflow and it also reduces the resistance between individuals.”

“I’ve worked with my current team for two years now. Originally it was quite small and we were quite close, but in the last few years the team has grown, and I noticed that with a new group it can be is more difficult to connect, to get aligned and form new friendships. So, new relationships have to be built up to create the bond between old and new colleagues, and to get to an alignment of core values. I like knowing people, and though I would like to do more outside of our projects, I have bi-weekly ‘bakkies’ –coffee breaks - with each member of my team because I want to see their vision, their point of view. If I understand their perspective and how they think, I can also take better decisions during my work.”

Ampelmann’s core values resonate with Kees-Jaap and they give him guidance in his day-to-day work. “If someone asks me: ‘What do you do for work?’, then you have two answers: either what your role is or who you work for. I like to say that I work for Ampelmann as the core values make me feel like an integral part of the company.”