There’s definitely a family vibe. We bake cookies together for clients and do a lot of things as a team. It’s not your typical company. I really want this company to succeed, and I want our clients to be happy. That team spirit is simply great. There’s this shared sense of “Let’s do our best, let’s make this work.” Normally I’m a pretty relaxed person, but at Swisio it’s easier to feel motivated in the morning. That also means it hits a bit harder when things don’t go as planned, because you care. You keep thinking about it.

As an Implementation Consultant, how much do you travel?

A lot of my time is spent travelling. Sometimes that’s tough, but I also have the flexibility to skip travel on Saturdays if I want. Usually I travel one to three days per week, although there are weeks with less. The great thing is that I get to discover parts of Germany I’ve never seen before and taste local food I didn’t even know existed, even as a German myself. For example, when I visit a particular client in the South, I get to eat Schäufele almost every day. I also prefer travelling by train instead of by car, because it’s just more relaxing.

How is it for you to navigate the hectic life of a startup?

Being part of a startup means being flexible, solution-oriented and pragmatic. I actually enjoy that. I like figuring things out and making my own decisions about how to solve a situation. That mindset of “How can we get things done?” really suits me.

What are things you really enjoy, and things you enjoy less?

One challenge can be when clients want to move at a different pace than you do in a project. That takes some adjustment. What I enjoy most is the atmosphere at the Berlin office. Spending time with the team, working together, we really look out for each other. I also really like that the product, although new in the German market, still has a Dutch design style. And when I manage to answer a client’s question or help shift their mindset by introducing best practices, that’s incredibly rewarding.

Can you share a moment when that happened?

Yes, I worked with a small hospital where one person was responsible for all the care workers. I explained how the system works, and she really got it. She ended up creating her own solution and best practices based on the knowledge I shared. She truly absorbed everything.

Did you have the same perception of Swisio when you first started?

From the beginning, it was clear this wasn’t just another company. The recruitment process was quick, but personal. I even had my final interview in the Netherlands, which I had never experienced before. That was a strong and positive sign. I’ve now been here for about a year and a half, but it feels longer, in a good way. Now that more people have joined, I suddenly find myself as one of the more experienced team members. I’m still learning every day, but I also get to teach others.

What’s the vibe like in the Berlin office now that there are more people?

It still feels like a startup, but there’s a shift happening. We’re entering a new phase. When there were only four of us, everyone worked quite independently. Now we’re at a point where more structure is needed and possible. The way we work together is at its best right now. We’re starting to ask: how can we do things even better going forward?

When you’re in the office, what does your day look like?

I usually start at nine with a nice coffee and a quick catch-up. Then I check my schedule for the day and dive into project work. At lunch, some people eat their own food, others go out. We often head to a classic chicken or döner place nearby.

Who do you work most with from the Netherlands?

Patrick is someone I work with a lot. He’s very experienced and client-focused, and I’ve learned a lot from him. I also work closely with Arjen, who’s been part of the German team for a longer time.

What helps keep the connection strong between the offices?

It really helps that people from the Netherlands come to Berlin and vice versa. The yearly company trip also brings everyone together. Personally, I think I should spend even more time in the Netherlands. I’d love to visit Zeist more often to get additional training.

How would you describe the implementation lifecycle?

Each implementation is unique. It really depends on the client’s working style. We don’t show up with a fixed plan. Every client has their own approach, but we are moving towards more standardization and introducing best practices more consistently. It’s definitely heading in the right direction.

When you think of Swisio, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Switzerland, partly because we recently gained a client there, and the name Swisio resonates with that. I also think of our brand colours: orange and blue. And I think of the new joiners, the ones bringing fresh ideas and a revolutionary way of working. That energy is inspiring.

How special is your relationship with some of your coworkers?

Dennis is someone I’ve spent a lot of time with. We know each other quite well by now. For my birthday, he gave me pre-packaged mayonnaise so I could travel with it, a funny reference to the time in Vietnam when I ate too much mayo and got charged extra for it at a restaurant. Dennis is the tech guy, he always has extra cables with him for clients. For his birthday, I gave him a little nightlight to plug in at the hotel, because he likes to have a soft light when he wakes up. And then there’s Gianluca, I introduced him to Magic: The Gathering, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to become a regular player.