Our pragmatic Tjip has been with us for 10 years. He’s a true virtuoso who goes above and beyond to achieve the desired results across a wide range of fields. He’s always on the lookout for smart solutions based on innovative techniques and automation. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, he shares his opinion bluntly, but always sincerely. He holds the position of Business Consultant—a role he’s held for over a decade. To celebrate this, he’s sharing his experiences at IMAGEM we’re getting to know him better.
It’s a world of difference compared to my previous employer. IMAGEM much more “sales-driven” and has a dynamic vibe. Tjip van Dale, Business Consultant
Please describe your job.
Business Consultant. In this role, I bridge the gap between our product and solution and the water authorities and their processes, thereby addressing the information needs of the water authorities as they carry out their statutory duties.
What is your background?
I graduated with a degree in business economics from Erasmus University in Rotterdam in 1987. After graduation, I started working at an engineering firm and then quickly moved to a company specializing in the supply of hydraulic systems and controls. It was at this company that I became hooked on automation. There, I was tasked with streamlining and automating the logistics process surrounding the purchase and sale of reconditioned parts for automotive engines. After that, I worked as an application engineer and subsequently as a senior technical consultant.
What do you like about working here?
The freedom to set my own priorities at work and the space to do so is incredibly valuable to me. On top of that, I have some really great, inspiring colleagues whom I get along with very well—they’re what make all the difference for me.
What are your fondest memories with the team?
That was the time when Intergraph, Leica Geosystems, and IMAGEM organized a conference at Burgers’ Zoo. That was definitely a highlight for me. The location was truly amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed the energy of the moment. I later had a similarly positive experience during a Defense summit in Vaals at the Three-Country Point. And, of course, there have been many other moments when I found working with colleagues to be particularly inspiring.
What attracted you to this job?
Before I IMAGEM working at IMAGEM , I was at a company where we had just wrapped up a number of major projects, and as a result, the enthusiasm had waned a bit. This apparently made me open to a change of scenery, and I began talking with people at IMAGEM. I noticed a difference that really appealed to me. IMAGEM much more “sales-driven” and exuded a sense of dynamism.
Their enthusiasm was palpable, and IMAGEM that there was still an office available in Capelle. That’s what sealed the deal for me. More or less the same work, but with a fresh, young team. And it’s worth mentioning that I no longer had to spend 2.5 hours in the car every day—an hour’s bike ride would suffice.
What's your favorite project right now?
Almost all of our projects are favorites, but right now, the ones we’re doing for WDO Delta stand out. In particular, I find the application of pre-trained models in the geospatial domain for the automatic correction of detected anomalies extremely fascinating. At the same time, I really enjoy showing how it works by reusing existing resources, Googling, and applying the tips and tricks from the guys “downstairs.”
And in WDO’s Innovation Manager, I’ve found someone who has a thousand and one ideas for incorporating my brainwaves and (prototypes)² into his water board’s processes.
What achievements are you most proud of?
To be honest, I consider my greatest achievement to be a project I carried out together with my colleague Arjen during my early days at IMAGEM the Public Real Estate Registry. It revolved around the “Prima Project,” which involved supporting the so-called “designation process.” Think of disputes over a property boundary (see “roving judge”) that need to be settled. We worked very hard back then and achieved a tremendous amount in a short period of time.
In addition, I am most proud of the results of Check M.App. It really makes me happy to see it being used and integrated—of course, in conjunction with Delta. And naturally, I’m proud of the collaboration with the people at the Water Boards. They know exactly where to find me when a “process” needs support.
Who on the team would you like to switch jobs with?
That’s a tough question. To be honest, I don’t have an answer, and maybe I don’t even want to give one. I’m actually happy with the work I’m doing now. The only thing I’d like to see change is being able to contribute even more to the water boards in the area of workflow automation. IMAGEM very well-equipped to support them in that regard.
What was the first thing you learned at the company?
Oh, that’s a no-brainer. Telling the “story,” giving presentations, going out into the field, and so on. I learned that from Patrick and Niels: to operate in a value-driven way and to view a client through the lens of benefits management.
What three words would you use to describe your job?
Dynamic, challenging, yet also inspiring—it could never be called boring.
If you could change one thing about the company, what would it be?
A location closer to Krimpen aan de IJssel 😊. Although I’m really happy with the location in Capelle aan de IJssel. Because of the distance between Apeldoorn and some colleagues who live in the southwest, IMAGEM has set up IMAGEM branch office there. Every now and then, I do miss chatting about this and that with a colleague who’s usually in Apeldoorn.
Who was your first desk mate? And who is it now?
First it was Henk, then Dennis, and a close second was Patrick. Now I have the privilege of being part of the sales team. Without exception, they’re a great, supportive group of people who are always there for one another, and I feel right at home with them.
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
I would really love to go on a long sailing trip across the sea. My first wish would be to sail around Great Britain in three months and, in particular, to explore the Scottish waters. But I need to be able to take the time for that, and I don’t have that opportunity (yet).
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
Let’s think about that for a moment…
