bloom: Lieve Heylen
An interview? No, she had never done that before. Lieve Heylen does not like to be the center of attention. She prefers to be the unobtrusive driving force, the person who makes things happen. Calm, with a healthy dose of self-confidence. And she radiates that too. Throughout the interview ... 🙌
Looking for 'the bigger picture
Lieve Heylen studied Political Science: "I started with a lot of conviction. I was interested in history, in the world around me and what I could possibly do to change it for the better. I had the ambition to dedicate myself to 'the good cause' and really make a difference. My studies indeed gave me an interesting view of the world, of international structures, how our government works and so on, but it didn't feel complete to me. I missed insight into the economic part, into the impact of companies and their role in society. That's why I started studying Business Studies for an extra year. A really fun year where I met a lot of fascinating people with broad visions. Just what I was looking for at the time."
Political science and economics, then I don't immediately think of a career in tech?
"Neither did I then, to be honest. But at the Faculty of Economics, job fairs were often organized in which we, as students, were allowed to participate. The then Arinso was the initiator of one of these events and I acted as the faculty's contact person. It clicked well and they offered me a job as a junior consultant after my studies. Arinso was a company specialising in SAP HR. I had taken some HR-related electives during my studies and that turned out to be the right mix to start working for them as a consultant."
"It didn't feel like 'working in tech.' For me, the focus was mostly on organizing projects."
"I got into work life there in a nice way, with a cool team of young colleagues. I really enjoyed going for something together, reaching deadlines. For me it didn't feel like 'working in tech'. We did do technology projects, and I sometimes had to program and configure and help with implementations, but for me the focus was mainly on the organization of those projects. That felt familiar."
It sounds like a common thread.
"Getting something up and running and bringing it to fruition is what I've always loved doing. Working with different people and seeing what still needs to be done by whom. Those are tasks that attract me. I was not so much interested in delving into the technological aspects of SAP. It was the business analysis that attracted me, having an eye for the overarching, so to speak. Listening well, learning to understand who is doing what and how different parties can reinforce each other to achieve the best solution. I then became team leader, project manager and later business unit manager. All these roles are in line with what I call my mission. To help ensure that people do the tasks they enjoy in a good way. I have always worked with people who are experts in their field, very tech-minded and results-oriented. What I find really cool is to bring all those technical and functional profiles together, make sure they function well and can indulge in their jobs."
"Making sure people are doing the tasks they love in a good way. That's my mission."
Connecting the dots
After 16 years at Arinso, Lieve briefly switched to SD Worx in 2016 and a year and a half later started at Flexso for People as SAP HR Competence Lead. "Flexso's company culture turned out to be a very good match with my personal mission. For me, that match is important, it motivates me tremendously."
Just under a year later, she had the opportunity to start up a new business around HR Managed Services. A kind of after-sales service for SAP HCM and SAP SuccessFactors. Lieve explains: "After the go-live of a project, customers always have additional questions about the use of the application, or change requests. Our approach in that area was not really structured before, but now it is. In recent years I have developed a well-functioning service organization and I am quite proud of that. Today, the HR Managed Services core team consists of 15 consultants and is still growing."
Has this changed the offerings of Flexso for People?
"In the past, the focus was mainly on implementing projects, on providing the best solution to a problem. With HR Managed Services, we continue along this path and ensure that everything continues to run smoothly afterwards. Clients can now come to us for the entire process and don't have to worry about a thing after the go-live. We guarantee continuity and quality in the long term. This long-term relationship with customers is very important for Flexso, but also for me. That's why I do it. And that's why I feel good about Flexso."
"Customers don't have to worry even after go-live. We guarantee continuity."
What are your daily challenges?
"What I see as my biggest challenge is aligning different expectations with each other. This is important within the team, so that everyone feels properly framed. But also: what exactly does the customer expect from us? Can we offer that and how do we best meet those expectations? As Competence Lead I am co-responsible for taking care of the presales. I always try to explain well to (potential) clients how we plan to tackle an assignment. And to make clear agreements in advance. This is the only way to build good relationships. In the same way, I really enjoy mapping out the scope of a project and all the assumptions and clearly translating the client's question to the team."
How do you tackle such conversations?
"A lot of deliberation and good listening. Connecting all the dots and making sure the puzzle fits. If it doesn't work right away, I try to figure out what we need to make it fit. I always do that as calmly and constructively as possible. I don't focus on what might not work, but on what we can do. That is entirely how I think and function."
More than 75 clients already call on the Managed Services team of which Lieve for HR is the lead. Discover her team here.
The ideal image
Lieve also likes to organize in her private life, but it's more about parties rather than projects. "When I see family or friends enjoying themselves, that makes me feel happy. I don't have to be in the middle of it myself. Just put me in the kitchen to prepare the next bite. Is everything going according to plan and are people enjoying themselves? Perfectly. That makes me feel good."
What else do you like to occupy yourself with in your free time?
"Warm collaborative work, that typifies Lieve. A lady with a heart and an ear for others, who has a connecting impact with her positive energy to get work done SAME. Top lady!"
"A few years ago I suddenly wondered if I had achieved my ideal. During my studies I mainly wanted to be socially relevant and that was what I missed in tech. So I went looking for a social project that I could help put my shoulders under. I found that within the Digital Champions program of Saskia Van Uffelen. In collaboration with Child Focus, we developed teaching materials to make elementary school children more digitally literate. We had printed brochures and DVDs packaged by a sheltered workshop and organized the distribution of these materials ourselves. From my living room, which was packed with boxes. Saskia just helped out, despite her busy schedule. I thought that was very cool. That involvement and the hands-on approach when something needs to be done, that's how I want it too."
Do you see yourself collaborating on such projects more often?
"Very much so! I find that particularly meaningful. Or taking on a role on an advisory board of a socially relevant organization. I can still see myself doing that, too."
Lieve concludes on a personal note: "I need to create space for myself next to my job, which I love very much, and my family, with three children whom I love very much. As a teenager I went to music school, played the flute and sang in a choir. Since I started working, I started playing the cello. It's a difficult instrument, but that's what brings me peace. When I play the cello, I can't think about anything else. It helps to clear my head. Pure me-time."
"Participating in socially relevant projects is something I find particularly meaningful."
At Flexso, Lieve found the challenge she was looking for and with which she makes a difference every day. Are you looking for a place where you can be yourself? Who knows, maybe you also have the Flexso DNA?
