Can you really make an impact all around the world from the comfort of your own home? According to Erik, you can. He supports international clients with international business advice, but does not often travel abroad. In the past things were different… Interested to discover how he shapes his own role at Visser & Visser? Read on to find out!
Officially, Erik’s job title is that of Senior Advisor at Visser & Visser, but he actually wears a number of different hats. He explains: “In 2020 I started an office in my home town of Doetinchem. From there I spend a lot of my time focusing on our visibility in the eastern Netherlands. I am also involved with a small, but intensive group of clients. For the majority of them the advice I give is international in nature. The fact that, as a medium-sized firm, we have so much in-depth knowledge and expertise in this area really sets us apart!”
Peace and quiet of home
Does Erik’s job require him to spend a lot of time abroad? “That used to be the case”, he answers. “Both during the time I spent working in business and during my first few years with Visser & Visser. Getting that change of scenery excited me. It was something I needed back then, but not anymore.”
And there’s a good reason for that, he explains. “In 2020 I became a father, which means my family is naturally now my number-one priority. Most of all, I like spending my time with them. Being able to do that has given me real peace of mind. A necessary consequence of that is that I’m now abroad less than I used to be. As the human dimension is very much part of our DNA at Visser & Visser, you are allowed this flexibility. That’s something I often hear from colleagues too.”
Freedom to travel
At the same time, the international client portfolio has actually grown, he explains. “So if you want to travel, the option is certainly there. My advice would be: make the most of things. The great thing about working at Visser & Visser is the freedom and the way you can shape your own role. If you have a particular wish or ambition, we’ll support you with it. That applies to all aspects of your job. For people who need space and don’t want to be put in a straitjacket, it’s ideal. There are so many great things you can do in our profession!”
“In accountancy your career path is often already laid out. It amazes me how many people simply stick to it.”
According to Erik, a team works best if the organization’s goals overlap with your own personal goals. He explains: “That’s why I recently asked my team about the goals they have in mind. All kinds of things came up: obtaining their qualification in 2027, mastering a language or going on a trip abroad. We wrote it all down on a flipchart, which is still prominently displayed in our office. These are things that are really important to people and that we also work on during working hours. At Visser & Visser we want to do everything possible to help people take this step in their development. At the time, opening an office in Doetinchem was one such goal for me. That is a perfect example of how things can turn out!”
Strategic course
That employees are challenged by the work they do at Visser & Visser is clear. According to Erik, that is also in keeping with the organization’s vision. “We really take a business to the next level. Sometimes you achieve that by having a perfectly prepared file for year-end work. But as an entrepreneur you can expect even more than that from Visser & Visser. We take an innovative approach. Whatever question you may have – about leadership, finance, expansion, insolvency, payroll accounting and even your working atmosphere – we are the platform that can offer this strategic advice. And we are looking for people to help us deliver on this promise. People who are enthusiastic about the course we are following!”
