Last month, the time had really come. I changed my email signature. “Sincerely, Ronald van Dijk - Head of Operations”. That secretly makes it extra official. After 7.5 years at Yellowgrape (exactly), most recently as Head of Data, it's time for something new. Or not really. A little review.
When Johan called me in January 2015 asking if I still had time for a part-time job in addition to my studies, my answer was: “Actually, do you know something?”. “Stop by Amsterdam on Monday and we'll talk further” was his response. I didn't know what to do in Amsterdam at the time, but after Googling Yellowgrape, I at least knew where to go.
Via the ferry across the IJ, I arrived at the Kraanspoor building in Noord. After a long walk with several companies, I ended up in a unit where Rik and Johan received me. They were still in the start-up phase with Yellowgrape and could use someone “who was good with Excel and had knowledge of e-commerce and web shops”. That same day, I started. My first business card said E-commerce Consultant. Quite common, just like my work. From filling web shop databases and SEO adjustments, to contacting affiliate publishers and preparing newsletters. Actually, I was just an all-round online marketer.
Yellowgrape grew rapidly. Not much later, the unit in Noord became too small and a second unit had to be added. There were also more and larger customers as well as new colleagues. At the end of 2016, we moved to a larger office on the Keizersgracht and 2 years later we moved into our (even larger) current building on the Herengracht.
In the center of Amsterdam, I started to specialize more and more in the field of data at Yellowgrape. From tracking, analytics and product feeds to dashboarding and major data analyses. My position had now changed to Data Consultant. When the data team at Yellowgrape also grew, I even became the team lead of the data team. The team that I was able to further help expand and develop in my role.
In a growing company like Yellowgrape, more other activities were also covered for me. For example, I did part of the financial administration and drew up contract work with customers. I also made sure that colleagues on the right projects were able to book their hours and I had also coordinated two moves.
In addition to my tasks as Team Lead Data, I did all of this on the side. I noticed that I'm naturally quite comfortable doing that, to arrange those kinds of “peripheral issues” as well. I think several colleagues can remember me when that Data lead and at the same time had their laptop, passwords and keys ready on the first day of work.
Just skip to the beginning of this year. Maybe it was the 7-year itch, but I noticed that I had mixed feelings about everything. Team Lead Data was by now Head of Data from an increasingly larger team, with new disciplines. I was now also part of the MT with the other Head of Staff and Board Members. At the same time, I also felt responsible for Yellowgrape's next operational steps for further growth. The complete migration to and setup of AFAS that I did is a good example of this.
So I went to Johan, Rik and Gijsje with my challenge: I didn't remember it for a while. Tasks that always went well cost me a lot of energy. In fact, it felt like I wanted (or needed) to perform 2 functions at the same time. I felt responsible for everything. That was really going to be too much. Exactly what I wanted, I didn't know. However, remain part of Yellowgrape anyway. I was absolutely sure of that.
On the advice of Johan, Rik and Gijsje, I have completed a personal coaching program with Brout. Together with the MT training we had there, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to do work that gave me energy and that it was better to leave work that took energy behind. For me, that meant saying goodbye to the team as Head of Data. Thanks to the development of Yellowgrape, there was now also room to fill a new full-time position, with activities that actually energize me.
After several discussions, we decided that my new position Head of Operations would be inside Yellowgrape. A job title that pretty well includes what I already did and, last but not least, what else I want to do at Yellowgrape. So I will focus even more on all facets of operations, facilities, administration, onboarding new employees, contract work, etc. With our second office on the way and various open vacancies, this offers more than enough work and challenges, so I will definitely take on them!
I am sincerely fortunate that Yellowgrape has facilitated this and ultimately also made a job change possible. I dare say that I go to work with energy every day (again or still today), even though I keep doing a lot of things that I already did. But even more now. Now I can continue to grow. And helping Yellowgrape grow. Because, it may sound a bit cliché, but after 7.5 years of Yellowgrape, I'm not done yet. And that might make sense with all the cool projects, great customers, great colleagues, great team trips and great parties at Yellowgrape. Sincerely a Great Place to Work!
For all colleagues, customers and other relations: I may no longer answer all data-related questions, but you can always email, call or stop by for anything!
