In a few years' time, Frank Baars will celebrate his silver jubilee at ICT Group. In a variety of positions, from different locations, for a wide range of clients, and with constantly changing colleagues and challenges, it was unnecessary for Frank to switch to a new employer. His work offers him more than enough variety and has provided him with great steps in his career.
'If you take your chances and show what you can and want to do, you have plenty of opportunities at ICT Group.'
Frank was working at PROCOS when the company was acquired by ICT Group in 2006. In his early years at ICT Group, he did a variety of assignments for a range of clients. In a short period of time, he mastered various techniques. As his expertise grew, the assignments became more complicated. "That's how I became more and more employable," says Frank. He has been a project manager since 2009 and since the start of 2023 he combines this position with that of operations manager. "For me, it's a very nice combination, in which I can combine my knowledge, skills and character traits."
"Due to the size and breadth of ICT Group, there are many opportunities for a varied career."
- Frank Baars
Captivate and bind
As a project manager, Frank is responsible for the ins and outs of projects. He does the planning, sets the scope, takes care of the budgets and does the coordination with the customer. He manages the project team, is responsible for the progress and at the same time has final responsibility.
"I do this purposefully and have a direct way of communicating," Frank explains. "Moreover, I appear to be good at overseeing a project. This gives me a clear idea of what still needs to be done and I usually assess risks and problems well."
As operations manager, he supervises ten colleagues. "The guidance I provide as an operations manager is not primarily about the content of the work, but mainly about the well-being in the workplace and the professional development and career planning of colleagues. These are all very important things to keep employees interested and engaged." Character traits that come in handy in this position are people-oriented and empathy. "But," he says, "I'm also quite direct in this role. For the position of operations manager, I have been able to follow various training courses. Among other things, I learned to use my direct way of communicating in a positive way in my work as an operations manager."
If you know what you want to do next, you will get all the support you need from the organization, in terms of training or otherwise, but you have to take your chances yourself!"
Perfect combination
Frank is regularly told by colleagues that he is good at both positions. Doesn't he find it difficult, two positions? "Fortunately, I can switch quickly," he explains. "I like that variety. As an operations manager, I can also develop even further, so for me it is the perfect challenge at the moment. "Why would I switch to another company if I like it here, have more than enough variety, can develop myself and get all the opportunities to do so?"
"Due to the size and breadth of ICT Group, there are many opportunities for a varied career. Of course, it's also fine if you hold the same position for fifteen years, but you don't have to. It's not that the positions came my way by chance or that they were handed to me on a silver platter. You really have to show what you have to offer and in which direction you want to develop yourself professionally."
Frank also tells this to the colleagues he supervises as an operations manager: "We can work together towards your career goal. If you know what you want to do next, you will get all the support you need from the organization, in terms of training or otherwise, but you have to take your chances yourself!"
