“I always find contact with users of facilities very important in my work”

For over 25 years, we have been connecting organizations with the best marketing, communication, and content professionals. We find suitable assignments or positions for junior, medior, and senior professionals. In Spot On, we would like to introduce them to you. This time, Spot On: Charlene Jozefzoon about her role as Internal Communications Advisor (ai) for the E-Working Program at UWV.

“Babbage helped me a lot in finding a suitable assignment”

How did you get into communications?

“I got into communication through my European Studies studies with a specialization in Communication. I specialize in internal and project communication. After my studies, I first worked as a management assistant at Vattenfall (formerly Nuon), but at the time they had a very small communication department and no internal growth opportunities. I then applied for a job at a communication consultancy where I worked for two years as a account assistant. I learned a lot there. In 2018 I started as an independent entrepreneur and that's how the ball started rolling."

You work at the UWV in the E-Work program, what does that entail?

“The UWV has traditionally been composed of various organizations. It has not been one organization for very long. Many different activities and processes have emerged from all these organizations. The goal of the E-Working program is to achieve as much uniformity as possible within UWV in the area of ​​processes, work facilities and applications, and to optimize these.”

“One of the projects that falls under E-Working is Uniform Customer Image. This project focuses on the development of an application for customer advisors, who have customers on the phone with, for example, a question about their benefits. At the moment, the advisors have to use many different programs to compile the customer image. That can be quite time-consuming, which means the customer has to wait longer. With this application, all important information about the customer can be seen at a glance.

I advise the project manager on how we can best reach and inform future users of this application with internal communication. For example, I develop videos and presentations. I also write articles and regularly talk to colleagues to inventory what is needed to get them excited.

To inspire colleagues, it is important to use users who have already joined as ambassadors. Peer-to-peer-tactics are very important here. Especially because we show our users that we actually use the input and feedback they provide. That also creates trust. Imagine that you are going to buy a new car. Do you then ask your neighbor or the seller for advice, who you know will benefit from you buying the car from him? You might expect more objective information from your neighbor.

"We are currently in a difficult position because many UWV colleagues are working on the NOW scheme in connection with Corona. We notice that, especially in this situation, the demand for the application we are developing is high."

What makes this position immediately attractive to you and what makes this work challenging?

“I always find contact with users of a facility very important in my work. I am an expert in the field of communication, but they are experts in the field of how they work with certain facilities and applications. If you combine those areas of expertise, you get something very beautiful. You then see that it is much better to talk to each other and not just send information. As an organization, it is important to listen to your experts. You did not hire or contract them for nothing. By informing colleagues and talking to them, I was able to contribute to that.”

What is your experience with Babbage Company?

“Babbage helped me a lot in finding a suitable assignment. And Babbage keeps in touch with you, which sounds very simple, but is really important. For example, Carina called me immediately at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown to ask how things were going. That is very valuable. I think that is what sets Babbage apart.” 

Is there anything you would like to share with other marcom professionals?

"What I've learned is that when you're looking for an assignment, it's better to call yourself than to fill out a registration form on the website. Let your voice be heard, let them know what you're looking for, that's the best way to get in." 

Are you also looking for a new challenge? We would love to talk to you and find your next step together.