Question everything! - Gumption HR experts on the benefits of a good conversation

Lieneiris

Liene De Bie is Experience Partner at Gumption, while Iris Snoeck helps eight companies in the group to attract and retain talent. Together, these two HR experts are an explosion of positive energy. They throw around amazing insights like candy. And, just for you, they share here a peek into the future of recruitment and employer branding.

Liene De Bie is Experience Partner at Gumption, while Iris Snoeck helps eight companies in the group to attract and retain talent. Together, these two HR experts are an explosion of positive energy. They throw around amazing insights like candy. And, just for you, they share here a peek into the future of recruitment and employer branding.

Design sans titre 58

"Whether you want it or not, you have an employer brand. Your company culture is there. You better make sure your pay fosters it.”

Ok, that's clear!

Selecting the right employees, how exactly does that work at Gumption?

LieneDe Bie: Well, all our companies have their own specific culture. And then there is the overarching culture of the Gumption group itself. We work with in-house recruiters, who know precisely what each company stands for. We then translate that into detailed job descriptions to capture the ideal candidate.

IrisSnoeck: We work at the intersection of the individual company values and Gumption’s values. If you recruit people who fit in well there, you strengthen that culture. That creates a positive flow.

But how do you determine if a candidate is a good match?

Liene: Ah, by working with strong recruiters of course (laughs).

Iris: You must take the time to talk and listen. You cannot give up too quickly but persist in asking the right questions. Sometimes that turns into a very personal conversation. What drives a certain person, what makes them tick, what are their irritations and dreams? Unlocking this info takes time and attention. That also applies to conversations with your current teams, by the way.

Is it really just about listening to your people?

Iris: You have to keep a continuous dialogue going, yes. That’s crucial.

Liene: And above all, act on it. Show your people the results of their input. Involve them and act accordingly. Make your goals clear, explain how they are linked to individual goals and corporate goals. This way, you don't just give people feedback and a say. You also make clear their part in the bigger story.

Design sans titre 58

"Whether you want it or not, you have an employer brand. Your company culture is there. You better make sure your pay fosters it.”

Ok, that's clear!

Selecting the right employees, how exactly does that work at Gumption?

LieneDe Bie: Well, all our companies have their own specific culture. And then there is the overarching culture of the Gumption group itself. We work with in-house recruiters, who know precisely what each company stands for. We then translate that into detailed job descriptions to capture the ideal candidate.

IrisSnoeck: We work at the intersection of the individual company values and Gumption’s values. If you recruit people who fit in well there, you strengthen that culture. That creates a positive flow.

But how do you determine if a candidate is a good match?

Liene: Ah, by working with strong recruiters of course (laughs).

Iris: You must take the time to talk and listen. You cannot give up too quickly but persist in asking the right questions. Sometimes that turns into a very personal conversation. What drives a certain person, what makes them tick, what are their irritations and dreams? Unlocking this info takes time and attention. That also applies to conversations with your current teams, by the way.

Is it really just about listening to your people?

Iris: You have to keep a continuous dialogue going, yes. That’s crucial.

Liene: And above all, act on it. Show your people the results of their input. Involve them and act accordingly. Make your goals clear, explain how they are linked to individual goals and corporate goals. This way, you don't just give people feedback and a say. You also make clear their part in the bigger story.

You already have an employer brand, whether you want it or not. You'd better take control of it and translate it correctly to your people.
Liene De Bie
Design sans titre 59

Looking ahead for a moment, where are the opportunities and challenges for HR and recruitment in 2022?

Liene: At Gumption? Finding the right talents for more than 100 available career opportunities. Our innovative culture is a strong USP. The training tracks we provide are also a strength. They give us the opportunity to train junior profiles and match them with the company.

Iris: On a market level, that everything is fully candidate-driven. That’s a trend that’s here to stay. A strong employer brand is of vital importance. You’ll need to invest strategically in your employer brand.

Is employer branding that important?

Liene: Companies that neglect it are hopelessly behind. Moreover, employer branding is not mere marketing; it's not a poster you hang in your cafeteria. No, it really needs to be supported by everyone in the workplace. You already have an employer brand, whether you want it or not. You'd better take control of it and translate it correctly to your people.

Iris: Of course, companies have their objectives and culture. But to a certain extent, these are also shaped by the people within them. When you look at Gumption, that’s something you notice immediately.

Can you explain that?

Iris: ‘Think Big’ is our motto here. If someone has ideas to make everything better, you listen. No matter how big or unrealistic they may seem. That is how you move forward, you know. People help shape a company - but you need to stay true to your core values, too.

Liene: And take good care of the people you have. We put a lot of energy into that at Gumption. We are constantly thinking about how we can do better for the employees. Everything is continuously changing. People make a deliberate choice for that dynamism and opportunity. The days when people changed jobs for a swankier car or an extra 75 euro on their paycheck are over. They want to recognise themselves in the company they work for. That also means making sure you listen and don't stand still as a company.

Iris: Did we mention that we’ve really understood that at Gumption? So, check out our jobs and apply, okay! (laughs).

A burning question for Liene or Iris? Send it to hr@gumption.be
Design sans titre 59

Looking ahead for a moment, where are the opportunities and challenges for HR and recruitment in 2022?

Liene: At Gumption? Finding the right talents for more than 100 available career opportunities. Our innovative culture is a strong USP. The training tracks we provide are also a strength. They give us the opportunity to train junior profiles and match them with the company.

Iris: On a market level, that everything is fully candidate-driven. That’s a trend that’s here to stay. A strong employer brand is of vital importance. You’ll need to invest strategically in your employer brand.

Is employer branding that important?

Liene: Companies that neglect it are hopelessly behind. Moreover, employer branding is not mere marketing; it's not a poster you hang in your cafeteria. No, it really needs to be supported by everyone in the workplace. You already have an employer brand, whether you want it or not. You'd better take control of it and translate it correctly to your people.

Iris: Of course, companies have their objectives and culture. But to a certain extent, these are also shaped by the people within them. When you look at Gumption, that’s something you notice immediately.

Can you explain that?

Iris: ‘Think Big’ is our motto here. If someone has ideas to make everything better, you listen. No matter how big or unrealistic they may seem. That is how you move forward, you know. People help shape a company - but you need to stay true to your core values, too.

Liene: And take good care of the people you have. We put a lot of energy into that at Gumption. We are constantly thinking about how we can do better for the employees. Everything is continuously changing. People make a deliberate choice for that dynamism and opportunity. The days when people changed jobs for a swankier car or an extra 75 euro on their paycheck are over. They want to recognise themselves in the company they work for. That also means making sure you listen and don't stand still as a company.

Iris: Did we mention that we’ve really understood that at Gumption? So, check out our jobs and apply, okay! (laughs).

A burning question for Liene or Iris? Send it to hr@gumption.be
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