Meet Manager Karin
Following a two-year stint abroad, Karin Arnefors returned to the Netherlands, eager to take on new challenges. “Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats, from Product Management to digital marketing within large corporations,” Karin shares, “However, I yearned for a role that allowed me to delve deeper into strategic matters”. Consulting was the solution for her. “I focus on the strategic questions at clients and can now help them as a consultant based on my expertise and work experience”.
Karin immediately had a positive impression of Eraneos from the first moment of contact: a good feeling during the initial conversation with the recruiter, as well as during the interviews with the practice lead and her future colleagues. “The impression I got of Eraneos during my application process? Pleasant collaborations with nice people and a lot of diversity in assignments.”
A new chapter
Consultancy was still a new experience for Karin, something she had to get used to. “During the first period, I was mainly focused on getting to know the value propositions, Eraneos’ way of working, and especially – the people! Consultancy is a people business, so it’s very important to get to know your colleagues well.”
“When I started working here, I didn’t expect the atmosphere to be so familial. Everyone is really close and committed to the company.”
Karin quickly started working on her first client assignment. “It was a bit of a jump into the deep end for me,” Karin laughs, “I was replacing a colleague who was the Project Lead for Data Quality at a pension fund. It was an area I was eager to learn more about”. Thanks to the pleasant colleagues at the client and the well-defined role, Karin quickly found her footing, and six months later she was able to successfully complete the project. During the assignment with this client, she also got the opportunity through Eraneos to take a course in Data Management, which she completed with great pleasure. “Carrying out my first assignment for Eraneos, and thereby having the opportunity to develop myself; building on existing knowledge and experience, while continuously developing new skills and capabilities, that confirmed for me that I’m absolutely in the right place at Eraneos,” says Karin.
Currently, Karin has taken on new assignments where she can build on existing knowledge, but also further develop within data and, what’s relevant everywhere: innovative AI applications. “In my Data & AI practice, there are incredibly driven and skilled people. The collaboration with them to develop concrete and value-adding use cases for our clients gives me great pleasure.”
Connection with colleagues
As a consultant, you often work at the client’s site, so it’s important to maintain connections with your Eraneos colleagues. “I enjoy working with people, so I try to make a conscious effort to see my colleagues regularly. For example, we might have lunch together or schedule a coffee break just to catch up”.
Karin describes her colleagues as open, creative, and results-oriented individuals. “Everyone is highly motivated and committed to driving improvements. For our clients and for Eraneos”. Furthermore, they are a group of sociable people who enjoy spending time together, exchanging ideas, and developing innovative solutions. “Together, we are 110% committed to improving the status quo and making a real impact”.
At Eraneos we organize bi-weekly lunches for each team. “In addition to the team lunches, I try to work at our Amsterdam office at least once a week. This allows me to see and speak with my colleagues from other teams as well.”
What about outside of work?
Karin loves spending her spare time with her family. “I am a proud mother of three children. I’ve been able to find a a healthy work-life balance, and I’ve built a successful career while being there for my family.” Weekends are all about sports: Hockey, horseback riding, and basketball. “I personally love going for a run and doing bootcamp in the dunes. We live nearby, so it’s easy for me,” Karin smiles, “Starting my day with a run in the dunes gives me so much energy for the rest of the day”.