Dennis van Klaveren – team leader, project manager and avid mountain biker

In this series we introduce you to our team one by one. What is their function within QS solutions? Who are they as a person? Why are they a match for the organization? And what do they actually do in their spare time? This will give you as a customer, business partner or new colleague a picture of the people behind our logo!

In today’s spotlight:
Dennis van Klaveren – team leader, project manager and avid mountain biker

Greener Grass

Dennis started as a project manager at QS Solutions in early 2021, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the quiet atmosphere at the office, it immediately felt familiar. He had been with his previous employer for twenty years, so the decision to switch to another organization wasn’t easy. Would the grass really be greener on the other side? Fortunately, the answer to that question turned out to be a resounding ‘yes’!

What Dennis was looking for was a smaller organization that would give him the opportunity to grow. And he succeeded! He is now the team leader of eight experts in the Netherlands and Germany. Without actively seeking this role, Dennis was given the chance to take on this new challenge. The team needed a leader, and Dennis brought with him more than fifteen years of experience as a project manager, as well as a successfully completed management training.

“Balancing Personal and Organizational Goals and Ambitions”

His start as a team leader coincided with the personal development meetings with the team, which was a perfect moment to set goals and ambitions together in a way that aligns with the company’s objectives.

Diversity and Collaboration

Typically, Dennis and the team are at the office on Mondays and Fridays. This arrangement was made in consultation, simply because it benefits team cohesion and engagement. But it’s also much more efficient! Catching up on a project or client, discussing who will do what, identifying potential bottlenecks, and solving problems for everyone instead of on an individual basis—these things just happen much faster and more easily face-to-face than via Teams.

“By sharing knowledge, we make each other stronger”

Dennis particularly enjoys the variety in his work. His job is incredibly diverse, and he has a lot of meetings with different colleagues and other stakeholders. The collaboration is getting better all the time, even between the various teams. “For example, a development club has been created to ensure that knowledge is not only maintained but also shared during knowledge sessions. This makes us stronger both as individuals and as a team.”

Client Contact On-Site

Adding value for the client is what drives Dennis. He is result-oriented and practical, and he gets his energy from doing a lot of work in a short amount of time. “I have a hard time dealing with free time in my schedule,” he says with a laugh. So, he dedicates 100% of his efforts to successfully running every project for which his team is responsible.

“Customer intimacy works!”

Meetings and workshops are conducted on-site with the client whenever possible. While this takes more time, it is much more effective than remote meetings. And it’s better for the client. It’s precisely that customer intimacy that clients appreciate in working with QS Solutions. “Compliments about the work delivered, the communication, and the project management are the cherry on top!”

The Best Approach

When Dennis became team leader, the ‘QS method’ was extensively discussed within the team. The focus on the Cyber Security Assessment Tool (CSAT), the adoption and design workshops, the implementation, and the handover… Was this really the best approach? The answer was a resounding yes, as demonstrated by one of the tender processes that Dennis will never forget.

He explains: “After several parties presented their approach to the client, QS Solutions was shortlisted with two competitors. The next step was an interview round with these three parties. I was surprised when the client said this round would not take place. Was our presentation not good enough? Were we out? But no, nothing could be further from the truth! The client had actually—prematurely!—chosen QS Solutions because our approach stood head and shoulders above the other parties!”

Passionate Mountain Biker

Dennis is full of energy and is very passionate, even in his free time. He spends a lot of time on his mountain bike, both for relaxation and in competitions, come rain or shine. His girlfriend and two sons are just as sporty, so when the family goes out together, it’s usually for something active, like a scooter trip, a visit to a climbing park, or a challenging mountain bike ride in Winterberg.

 

 

The focus and perseverance he needs for sports are also applied to his work. And if results don’t meet expectations, he takes the lessons learned with him. He’s simply not the type to throw in the towel out of frustration; instead, he looks for improvements. “Just keep going, no matter what!”

Dennis on QS Solutions

“I was looking for an organization with an informal culture and a lot of flexibility. In that respect, I’m in the right place here. The connection was there immediately, and I love the open communication structure and short lines. We have great conversations that generate wonderful ideas for both the company and the team, whether it’s about new working methods or better efficiency.

“The conversations generate great ideas, both for the company and the team”

In addition, you have the freedom to shape the development of your career here, and you’re given all the space you need to do so. You can join at any level, even if you don’t have an IT background. You learn the necessary knowledge and skills on the job and by continuing to learn while you’re already employed.

My working hours are flexible: sometimes I take an hour in between to go cycling and clear my head. On the other hand, I can and want to be available for the team, even outside office hours if necessary. Fortunately, this is easier now that the children are a bit older. It’s great to be able to maintain a balance between work and personal life this way.”

Translation:
Greener Grass

Dennis started as a project manager at QS Solutions in early 2021, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the quiet atmosphere at the office, it immediately felt familiar. He had been with his previous employer for twenty years, so the decision to switch to another organization wasn’t easy. Would the grass really be greener on the other side? Fortunately, the answer to that question turned out to be a resounding ‘yes’!

What Dennis was looking for was a smaller organization that would give him the opportunity to grow. And he succeeded! He is now the team leader of eight experts in the Netherlands and Germany. Without actively seeking this role, Dennis was given the chance to take on this new challenge. The team needed a leader, and Dennis brought with him more than fifteen years of experience as a project manager, as well as a successfully completed management training.

“Balancing Personal and Organizational Goals and Ambitions”

His start as a team leader coincided with the personal development meetings with the team, which was a perfect moment to set goals and ambitions together in a way that aligns with the company’s objectives.

Diversity and Collaboration

Typically, Dennis and the team are at the office on Mondays and Fridays. This arrangement was made in consultation, simply because it benefits team cohesion and engagement. But it’s also much more efficient! Catching up on a project or client, discussing who will do what, identifying potential bottlenecks, and solving problems for everyone instead of on an individual basis—these things just happen much faster and more easily face-to-face than via Teams.

“By sharing knowledge, we make each other stronger”

Dennis particularly enjoys the variety in his work. His job is incredibly diverse, and he has a lot of meetings with different colleagues and other stakeholders. The collaboration is getting better all the time, even between the various teams. “For example, a development club has been created to ensure that knowledge is not only maintained but also shared during knowledge sessions. This makes us stronger both as individuals and as a team.”

Client Contact On-Site

Adding value for the client is what drives Dennis. He is result-oriented and practical, and he gets his energy from doing a lot of work in a short amount of time. “I have a hard time dealing with free time in my schedule,” he says with a laugh. So, he dedicates 100% of his efforts to successfully running every project for which his team is responsible.

“Customer intimacy works!”

Meetings and workshops are conducted on-site with the client whenever possible. While this takes more time, it is much more effective than remote meetings. And it’s better for the client. It’s precisely that customer intimacy that clients appreciate in working with QS Solutions. “Compliments about the work delivered, the communication, and the project management are the cherry on top!”

The Best Approach

When Dennis became team leader, the ‘QS method’ was extensively discussed within the team. The focus on the Cyber Security Assessment Tool (CSAT), the adoption and design workshops, the implementation, and the handover… Was this really the best approach? The answer was a resounding yes, as demonstrated by one of the tender processes that Dennis will never forget.

He explains: “After several parties presented their approach to the client, QS Solutions was shortlisted with two competitors. The next step was an interview round with these three parties. I was surprised when the client said this round would not take place. Was our presentation not good enough? Were we out? But no, nothing could be further from the truth! The client had actually—prematurely!—chosen QS Solutions because our approach stood head and shoulders above the other parties!”

Passionate Mountain Biker

Dennis is full of energy and is very passionate, even in his free time. He spends a lot of time on his mountain bike, both for relaxation and in competitions, come rain or shine. His girlfriend and two sons are just as sporty, so when the family goes out together, it’s usually for something active, like a scooter trip, a visit to a climbing park, or a challenging mountain bike ride in Winterberg.

The focus and perseverance he needs for sports are also applied to his work. And if results don’t meet expectations, he takes the lessons learned with him. He’s simply not the type to throw in the towel out of frustration; instead, he looks for improvements. “Just keep going, no matter what!”

Dennis on QS Solutions

“I was looking for an organization with an informal culture and a lot of flexibility. In that respect, I’m in the right place here. The connection was there immediately, and I love the open communication structure and short lines. We have great conversations that generate wonderful ideas for both the company and the team, whether it’s about new working methods or better efficiency.

“The conversations generate great ideas, both for the company and the team”

In addition, you have the freedom to shape the development of your career here, and you’re given all the space you need to do so. You can join at any level, even if you don’t have an IT background. You learn the necessary knowledge and skills on the job and by continuing to learn while you’re already employed.

My working hours are flexible: sometimes I take an hour in between to go cycling and clear my head. On the other hand, I can and want to be available for the team, even outside office hours if necessary. Fortunately, this is easier now that the children are a bit older. It’s great to be able to maintain a balance between work and personal life this way.”

Would You Like to Work at QS Solutions Too?

Would you like to work in the fast-changing world of cybersecurity? To protect every client as well as possible from the risks of a cyberattack? Let us know! We have openings in various teams for enthusiastic new colleagues, both with and without IT experience.