A talk with Jeannette Schillemans

"I believe in doing what you promise and sincere interest”

How did you enter the moving world?

12.5 years ago De Haan was looking for someone to approach potential clients for office relocations by phone. Given my personal situation, this part-time position suited me very well at the time. These telephone conversations mainly concerned the transfer of knowledge, building up connection and ultimately the transfer to the account managers. After a while I started working more hours and other work was added, such as drafting and translating quotations. I also became a member of the organization of the personnel association and I organized fun events with colleagues.

When I went from the office relocations department to our household removals department, in addition to calling companies, I also went along to visiting the company accounts and attended meetings. I did this together with my colleague Charles van der Geest. The latter for about 6 years.

You are "New Business & Projects Coordinator". What does this designation entail, and what do you like about it?

For the past two years or so, I have indeed returned to the specialized Project Relocations department within De Haan. The function has remained the same: I approach potential customers every day. I think that establishing a relationship of trust with a potential customer is one of the best aspects of my job. Plus, I really like that sentiment of achievement if one then becomes a customer! This year I have also become more and more involved in these existing relationships and sometimes visit.

I believe in doing what you promise and showing genuine interest. It ensures recognition and the building of a personal and pleasant contact with large companies that sometimes takes a very long time.

Can you outline your working week for the reader?

I keep track of which companies / institutions are moving through various channels. I also filter information, a.o. about market development. Plus thinking along with the needs in the different market segments of project relocations because we do more than just moving boxes. So it's partly about keeping relationships warm and partly about approaching potential customers without being intrusive.

I have a super warm feeling at De Haan. Hard working people, a pleasant family business, good for the people, and they stand for quality! This is what I always try to convey by phone when I call potential customers.

What is it like to work at De Haan?

In these difficult times, family company De Haan offers the support and confidence in its employees to be able to work from home. That feels warm.

I have a no-nonsense mentality myself and I see that in my colleagues too. They are all people who persevere. Everyone goes for it and thinks pro-actively along with the customer. We stand for quality without really shouting it from the roof tops. I like that modesty.

In the beginning, I practically did my job alone and only called. I can handle that independence, but at the same time you miss the feeling of bringing new projects in together. To be able to share that victorious feeling of accomplishment, so to say. Having different facets within your work is therefore nice. Because of the corona measures, I really miss the warmth of my colleagues!

Do the corona measures result in other information needs for the Project Relocations customer?

Absolutely. Healthcare institutions, for example, currently have enough on their mind, so that is why I now reduce the number of contact moments a bit. In addition, due to what is happening, there are occasional delays in the construction of commercial real estate, which creates uncertainty with regard to business relocations. A certain calmness and reassurance is then expected from you.

On the other hand, you also notice that the contact is different. We often work from home, relations now sometimes also have my private phone number. Being all in the same situation creates a kind of bond and mutual understanding.

We are here to support institutions, organizations, offices, schools, warehouses and customers with their business relocations. For example, a hot topic now: the (re) design of workplaces in the office and home workplaces, storage or thinking along in ICT. We can help with that too!