What exactly do you do at Gemba?

“I am a functional consultant. This means I help clients configure IBM Maximo to perfectly align with their needs. This ranges from customizing reports by adding barcodes or other information to improving processes. All these things make the work of mechanics, planners, and asset managers just a little bit easier.”

Can you give an example?

“Recently, while visiting a client, I saw mechanics using a form I had created. It concerned missing spare parts for a machine. Previously, they had to look up this information in three different places; now, they have everything together on one form. They use it daily. That is truly satisfying.”

Have you always been a tech enthusiast?

“Actually, not at all. I had a transport company, but I had to stop due to the pandemic. My biggest client supplied cinemas, and they were all closed. When everything came to a standstill, I decided to change course. During my time in transport, I was already looking for a software package that suited my needs. But it didn’t exist or was far too expensive. So, I started programming myself, just through YouTube and Google. It turned out I enjoyed that much more than transport.”

How did you end up at Gemba?

“Through a friend from the lifeguard squad. Her father works at Gemba and said, ‘You should apply there; they are looking for people.’ And so I did.”

What struck you when you first came in?

“The atmosphere. Everyone sat together at one big table for lunch. Just sandwiches on the table, everyone helps themselves. That immediately felt very open and friendly. And I also think the building itself is cool: an old town hall with history, but modern and bright inside. There is even an old safe from the time when passports were stored there.”

What do you enjoy most about your work?

“The problem-solving. The bigger the challenge, the better. For example, with the inspection forms for IBM Maximo Mobile that I am currently working on. Mechanics can use these to walk around machines and check off whether everything is okay. The most difficult part was making the photos in the instructions for checks also available offline. Ultimately, I solved this by including the photos as encoded text in the description. It seems simple, but it was a huge puzzle. When it worked, it felt really good.”

Are you currently working for one client or multiple?

“At the moment, I am working full-time for a company that makes machines to produce car tires. They also maintain these machines for their clients. I am working on IBM Maximo Mobile and on workflows to map out their processes. Colleagues there are increasingly coming to me with questions and ideas. It is fun and varied work.”

What makes Gemba special for you?

“They take good care of us at Gemba. There is always lunch, fun staff outings, and you can take four days off per year for volunteer work. Ideal for me, because I am with the lifeguard squad. There is also a lot of freedom and trust. I work project-based, without daily stand-ups. If something is not going well, I can leave it for a while and pick up something else. That works well.”

What do you do at the lifeguard squad?

“I am a lifeguard at events and festivals, such as Mud Masters and the New Year’s Dive. I also give swimming lessons to children. In total, I spend about sixteen hours a week on it. It is a nice change: at Gemba, I spend a lot of time behind the computer; with the squad, you are physically active.”

How do you see your future at Gemba?

“I want to become much better at Maximo. The system has so many aspects; I want to first gain broad knowledge and then perhaps specialize. I also want to learn more about asset management in general. Fortunately, they are open to training here.”

Have you already experienced any fun outings?

“Yes! The Gemba weekend in the Ardennes was great. You get to know colleagues in a different way. I also went to the pancake boat and as a support team to Italy for the Stelvio Challenge for KiKa, one of the colleagues participated in that. I find that social aspect really special here.”

Finally, what would you say to someone who is considering working at Gemba?

“Just do it. It is a relaxed group, you get a lot of freedom and responsibility, and there are always fun things outside of work. Plus, dogs are welcome in the office. Almost every day there is one walking around for some distraction.”