Remco, you've been working at ZekerArbo for a year now. What do you see happening in your contact with customers?
"It may sound crazy, but it's sometimes difficult to really keep a structural conversation going. Most entrepreneurs only call in their Occupational Health Service when something is wrong. For example in the case of long-term Sickness Absence, which happens on average once every six or seven years. Whereas we believe in prevention. In paying attention to the people who do work."
What exactly do you mean by "collective health"?
"We want to get rid of the idea that health and safety services are something reactive. Health and employability belong to everyone. You have to build on that together. That idea fits nicely with the movement that our network (Zorg van de Zaak) is now engaged in: Zorg voor de Zaak network becomes COLBE, which stands for Collective Betterment. In other words: getting better together. Not only on an individual level, but as a whole. As a team, as a company, as a society."
And what does that mean specifically for ZekerArbo?
"That we don't just provide services , we want to listen. Not just send, but also collect. We send newsletters, do customer research, offer training... but we noticed that it is still too much one-way traffic. Whereas we would much rather work together with our customers and partners, such as insurers, underwriters and insurance brokers."
And then came the idea for the "Friends of ZekerArbo"?
"Yes!" I thought: what if we didn't work for clients, but with them? No formal client panels or boring evaluations, but an engaged group of entrepreneurs, insurers and HR professionals who actively think along with us. People who are in the middle of SMEs and can say from their own experience: this works, this just doesn't."
I thought: what if we don't work for clients, but with them?
What will that look like later?
"We want to get together with that group a few times a year. Think of a customer arena, or members' council like at Rabobank. We discuss topics that are really relevant to entrepreneurs: how do you deal with mental health issues? What do you need to prevent Sickness Absence ? What trends do you see in your own organization?
We provide a nice setting, interesting speakers, good food ánd an appropriate reward. After all, everyone's time is valuable."
What do you hope comes out of it?
"That we come to insights together that we could never have come up with on our own. That we improve our services based on what is really important. And that as a collective we make a difference in the health of working people in the Netherlands. Starting with SMEs."
Who exactly are you looking for?
"Entrepreneurs, HR professionals, executives and insurers; people who believe in working together. You don't have to be an expert, as long as you want to think along and share experiences. We take care of the rest."
Let's work together for a healthier SME.
And if people are interested?
"Then I say get in touch! The idea is still fresh and we are looking for people who want to think with us. Nothing is set in stone yet. So this is the time to get involved. No obligations, but the chance to have an impact. Building together an Occupational Health Service that truly collaborates, listens, learns and improves."
