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At Momentum, everything revolves around people. In the series 'A Momentum With' we hand the floor to colleagues themselves: about their role, what they are proud of and what Momentum means to them. This time: Jan Willem Behrens, Head of Business Development EMEA, with a background of twenty-five years in telecom and now four years part of the club.
From twenty-five years of telecom to Momentum
Jan Willem Behrens spent an entire career in telecommunications, more than twenty-five years, largely international and at the bigger telecom organisations. Four years ago Momentum EMEA was added to that. "With a huge amount of pleasure," Jan Willem says. "We have gone through enormous growth over the past four years, and personally just as much, I think."
Freedom to show what you can do
What makes Momentum successful? For Jan Willem it comes down to one word: freedom. "You get a lot of freedom here to develop yourself and to show yourself. That is exactly where Momentum is different from many other companies. A great degree of freedom to grow, and if you take it, you also get to show what you are worth."
Growth figures that stand out
That freedom translates into results. "If you look at what we have achieved as a company over the past four years, it is exceptional. The telecom market grows some four to five percent a year; we are showing growth figures of thirty-five to forty percent. That is really something." The secret, according to Jan Willem, is not a trick, but the people. "Passionate people who want to be there for their customers and go the extra mile. And the results are there."
"Success attracts success. You do not need to motivate anyone extra: you see the success, and you see everyone putting their shoulders to the wheel."
And it happens with a smile. "There is a lot of humour and fun, and meanwhile the work gets done at full tilt. That is simply great to be part of."
The driving force behind new customers
The role of Head of Business Development is easy to sum up. "I am the driving force behind developing new customers, and particularly involved in the larger projects, where we bring the complete portfolio to bear."
Proud of: the BDR Thermea win
Asked for a project to be proud of, Jan Willem does not have to think long: BDR Thermea. "A company that was not happy with its partner and was looking for a new one. They found it in us." BDR Thermea has seventy locations worldwide and has entrusted its entire IT infrastructure to Momentum.
"My role was at the front: being the commercial point of contact. There was a tender, a kind of beauty contest in which you are compared with different parties. Long story short: after almost nine months we came out as the winner." Today Momentum is an important supplier for BDR Thermea's worldwide network and security, and by now for voice as well. Read the full BDR Thermea customer case.
Feet in the clay
Personally, a lot has happened too. Jan Willem started in a sales role and grew into Head of Business Development. "Where my passion lies is really the customer contact, and being the conductor in the more complex projects. That suits me well. I like to stand with my feet in the clay and try to make the difference for customers. I get that freedom here, and it works out well for the company and for me. A win-win."
To close, a line passed on from home.
"Keep fighting, my father always said. Never give up. Some days can go against you, but you must not let it throw you and just keep going."
In the coming episodes of 'A Momentum With' we hand the floor to more colleagues. Read here why we let our own people tell you what it is like to work at Momentum, or read the previous episode with Customer Success Manager André van Schaik.
