6 minute read

‘Deloitte’s culture and vibe fit me like a glove’

MARJOLEIN VOLKERS
Senior Consultant Tech Strategy & Operating Model at Deloitte Consulting
Obviously, working at Deloitte Technology Strategy & Transformation is interesting and intellectually challenging. But it’s mostly the people that determine the workplace. In the words of Marjolein Volkers, Senior Consultant Tech Strategy & Operating Model, and Rob van der Eng, Manager Tech Transformation & Acceleration: ‘The vibe in our team is very laid back. It’s easy to get in touch with anyone, including the partners. We all work together and there is room for diversity.’

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Marjolein (28) joined Deloitte 3.5 years ago, immediately after graduating in Business Information Management. ‘I considered all the firms in the field of IT consulting. But Deloitte’s culture and vibe fit me like a glove. It’s a fun group, consisting of people who are smart, proactive, curious, and sociable. You can ask questions to anyone. Everyone is very helpful. It’s a company culture in which learning is key and you’re allowed to make mistakes. We really want what is best for each other, and that’s how we build such a strong collaborative culture.’

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Rob (35) also mentions the personal aspect of working at Deloitte. ‘I switched to Deloitte almost 2 years ago, inspired by a former colleague. Until then, I had been working for 8 years at a big international firm for business advisory. I travelled a lot and was involved in Oracle ERP implementations. I wanted to expand my experience and knowledge and also enjoy a proper work/life balance, as I have two young sons. The atmosphere at Deloitte felt good from the start. The job interviews were not only focused on expertise, but also on me as a person. Who are you and what energises you? At Deloitte you’re in charge of your career, your work and your time. The focus is not so much on material success as it is on quality.’

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Sparring partner of the CIO Rob and Marjolein work for Technology Strategy & Transformation. This service line within Deloitte Consulting consists of 4 smaller teams: Technology Vision & Architecture, Technology Transformation & Acceleration, Enterprise Service & Process Management, and Technology Strategy & Operating Model, which is Marjolein’s team. ‘We are the sparring partner of the Chief Information Officer (CIO)’, she explains. ‘The CIO is in charge of the entire IT department. From workspace to website and from CRM system to ordering system, the CIO makes sure everything is up and running. We are the sparring partner with an overview of the IT organisation. With our expertise and skills we can help to build an IT strategy that aligns seamlessly with the corporate strategy. We also advise on the set-up of the IT department to align with the goals. If there is a problem, we know exactly what specialism is required. Next, we also advise on investing in new systems and technology. We share our views on a high level and then collaborate with other colleagues to execute the plans.’

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Currently, Marjolein is working on 2 projects. ‘I’m the product owner for the appointment portal of “Testen voor Toegang”, the platform that contributes to restarting all kinds of social activities in the Netherlands. I lead the DevOps (development & operations) team. Every week we deliver successful improvements in an agile way. This is a unique project with an impact on society, so I’m really enjoying this’, Marjolein says passionately. ‘The second project is more in line with what we usually do. It involves the strategy for the transition to a new platform. What is required to take the steps to a new system? IT is everywhere. If you adapt one item, it will affect the entire organisation. So you can have a major impact, both in a technological sense and in an organisational and human sense. People need to be convinced of the adaptations. How can you make them go along with the changes? That’s a great challenge.’

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The link between business and IT Rob is part of the Technology Transformation & Acceleration team. ‘We are the link between business and IT - two different worlds. Our team turns the complexity of IT into a clear advice for the business, and the other way around’, says Rob. ‘We will start working on the IT strategy and execute it. We have an overview of the entire IT landscape, we know what parts can be impactful, and take care of e.g. stakeholder management, planning and risk analysis. On average, our projects take about a year. That’s perfect, because it allows us to actually achieve something and also build a trustworthy relationship with the client.’ ‘My first project was at a large Dutch bank – it was the transition to a new debt collection partner. We helped them to reshape all their processes and to set up the integrations between the bank and the new partner. I worked with a fun group of people and learnt a lot. Now I’m involved in a project for an international shipping service. Recently, they acquired a smaller-sized parcel carrier, and we help them to merge the supply chain processes. It’s an interesting combination of using my expertise and bringing parties together in the best way possible.’

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Room for everyone Rob and Marjolein are very excited about their jobs. Marjolein: ‘There are so many opportunities when you work for a large organisation such as Deloitte. You can go on your own discovery journey and find out exactly what you like to do. If you express what matters to you, people will listen carefully. After all, diversity, equity and inclusion are key at Deloitte. What counts here, are individuals and their aspirations. Speaking of which, there is plenty of room for women in technology here. We focus on balance.’ ‘At Deloitte, you’re a team, not a number’, Rob says. ‘Good ideas are very much appreciated. It’s a flexible firm where you can be entrepreneurial and find your own way within the organisation. That’s the type of freedom that energises me every day.’

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CHOOSE YOUR IMPACT You share your expertise with the 1500 colleagues of Deloitte The Netherlands Technology & Transformation department. In this department, innovation and personal development are very important. View all Technology & Transformation vacancies [https://careersatdeloitte.com/vacancies/technology-transformation] and connect your future to Deloitte. View all Technology & Transformation vacancies [/vacancies/consulting]

‘YOUCOULDDESCRIBEUSASTHESPARRINGPARTNEROFTHECHIEFINFORMATIONOFFICER’

MARJOLEIN VOLKERS | Senior Consultant Tech Strategy & Operating Model at Deloitte Consulting

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