“Clear communication leads to less frustration and fewer questions — killing two birds with one stone.”

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: Jasper van Delft, editor via Babbage at the Tax and Customs Administration.

“The contact with Babbage is very pleasant. They are always ready for any questions”

Jasper van Delft has a strong preference for language and communication. After working in legal positions for a number of years, he switched to full-time editing. 

'My first job was via Babbage at Wolters Kluwer in Alphen aan den Rijn as a professional editor for government content. I created online content for government clients such as trade literature, e-alerts and news for communities. It was great fun to do and I ended up working there for 8 years with pleasure.' 

In an interview with Babbage, Jasper talks more about his work at the Tax and Customs Administration.

What is your specialty? 

“My specialty is creating customer-oriented content for the government and trade publishers. For websites, databases, social media and also via letters for citizens and entrepreneurs. I always wonder whether the citizen or entrepreneur understands what is written. So you really have to try to avoid official or legal words. Furthermore, content and topicality are important. That sometimes results in a balancing act: if you make the content very short, it is often understandable for the target group but this can be at the expense of the content. If the content is very long, the content is often good but the target group does not understand what is written. So I strive for relatively short content that is clear, good in content and topical.”

You work as a web editor at the Tax and Customs Administration via Babbage. What exactly does your job entail? 

“At the Tax and Customs Administration, I am mainly involved in writing and editing (online) letters for entrepreneurs and citizens. These letters are about numerous subjects that have to do with taxes and allowances. Examples include corporate tax, motor vehicle tax and debt collection. The language used in the letters I receive is often very legalistic and that is just a shame. Clear communication not only leads to less frustration for the reader but also to fewer questions from customers to the Tax and Customs Administration. Two birds with one stone!”

Why did you want this position? 

“I wanted this position because I really enjoy creating content for the government. I know the target groups and I think it is important to make really understandable content from complex (legal) information. Fortunately, government institutions find this increasingly important and the Tax and Customs Administration is certainly no exception.”

Are you working on a project or assignment? 

“One of my projects is making letters channel neutral. This means that the paper letters from the familiar blue envelopes must have the same content as letters that customers receive online. This not only has consequences for the use of language but also for the management. For example, you can no longer talk about the back of a letter because a digital letter does not have one. Furthermore, much less printing is required and that is good for the environment. Various teams are dealing with this. I am also involved in a project for collection letters. The editorial requirements for this are different from those for other letters. So it is varied!”

What challenges have you faced lately? 

“Many colleagues are involved in the editing of letters. Also from other teams within this large organization. All these colleagues have wishes and interests that I have to take into account in my work. That is not always easy, but I like this challenge and I often come out of it well. Fortunately, I also see that attitude in other colleagues and I find that very positive.”

What does a working day look like for you? 

'I work independently on new letters or letters I am already working on. In addition, I have regular meetings to coordinate my work with other colleagues. We also have team meetings where, among other things, interesting presentations are given.' 

How do you find the contact with Babbage during the mediation? 

'This contact is very pleasant. They are always ready for any questions. That was the case with my first assignment via Babbage and now again. Top!' 

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