A day in the life of Deen

Why do you like working at CoreDux?

Besides the people, who are open, helpful and genuinely motivated, I’d say the freedom. In my role, I have all the space to do and decide what I think is needed. That level of trust is one of the things I really value here. Of course, it also means taking responsibility. But no one tells me what to do each day, and I don’t do that with my team either. You need to take initiative, and if that suits you, it’s a great environment to grow in.

Why did you join this company?

In my previous role, I worked in a very structured environment with clearly defined processes. While that has its advantages, I was looking for a place where I could take on more responsibility and contribute more directly. When I spoke with Gijs about the growing IT needs at CoreDux, it quickly became clear there was a real opportunity to build something meaningful. From setting up a service desk to streamlining internal support and improving processes, it was exactly the kind of challenge I was looking for. The company’s dynamic environment and ambitious goals really appealed to me, and that’s why I decided to join.

What makes CoreDux different from other companies?

I haven’t worked at a hundred companies, let’s be clear about that, but during my time in IT secondment, I’ve seen quite a few different organizations. But what makes CoreDux truly different at the core… is that it’s such a wonderfully dynamic company. Everyone really wants to move forward, and that’s a big strength. People here openly acknowledge where things can be improved, and while it doesn’t always go perfectly, the drive to do better is definitely there. That mindset stands out. What also struck me, and what ultimately convinced me to join, is how approachable the culture is. You can walk into any office, no matter their role. It’s a people-focused company with a great atmosphere and a shared ambition to grow together.

What was the last project you managed, and what was its outcome?

The most recent project I managed was a network upgrade aimed at improving stability and supporting business continuity. We replaced older systems with a more standardized and redundant setup to make maintenance easier and reduce the risk of downtime. While there were some small disruptions during the transition, we actually made a big step forward in a relatively short time. The outcome was a safer, more efficient, and more manageable IT environment. By standardizing and adding redundancy, we’ve improved reliability and created a stronger foundation for the future. In IT, much of the work happens behind the scenes and ideally goes unnoticed, but it plays a key role in keeping everything running smoothly.

How is teamwork going at CoreDux?

I’d say it’s both one of the strongest and one of the most challenging aspects. Teamwork at CoreDux is built on a shared drive to move forward and improve things together . In IT, we’re increasingly involved earlier in projects, which helps us think ahead and ensure new ideas fit within our existing systems. This closer collaboration with departments like production and process engineering is a big step forward. At the same time, like any growing company, there’s still work to do when it comes to project structure and I think teamwork can help with this as well. Clearer scope and alignment from the start can help prevent shifting goals, delays, or teams taking on more than originally planned.

What is an essential character trait you must have to work at CoreDux?

You need to be resilient, flexible, and able to handle shifting priorities. Things can change quickly, and sometimes you need to put out fires without losing sight of your original tasks. Self-direction is also important. Especially in roles with a lot of freedom, no one will tell you exactly what to do; you’re given the trust and space to take ownership. Also, knowing what you want for your career. While there’s plenty of support available, it’s up to you to map things out and take the necessary steps yourself. And finally, having social skills. CoreDux is big, but not too big. Personal interaction goes a long way, so knowing how to navigate that makes a real difference.

How would your colleagues describe you?

I hope they’d say I’m a nice person, I find that important. But above all, that they feel I help them do their jobs well. That’s really what my role is about: enabling others. I try to remove obstacles so they can focus on their own expertise. That might involve communication, aligning with management, securing budgets, or bringing different stakeholders together. Their job is the technical part, I take care of the conditions around it.

Colleagues outside my team often say I’m always cheerful. That’s not always true, but I do have a positive mindset. I believe we can solve problems and that we’re working on the right things, and I think that shows. I also believe they see me as someone who works hard.

What is your personal contribution to the success of CoreDux?

My main contribution lies in driving standardization across the organization. Standardization is the foundation for scalability, efficiency, and business continuity. Whether it’s unifying our ERP systems, aligning hardware and network infrastructure, or streamlining how we manage data from testing equipment, the goal is to create a consistent, reliable setup across all sites. This allows teams to collaborate more easily, reduces operational risks, and lowers long term costs. It also ensures that support and processes can be shared globally, which is key as we expand. I see it as my role to raise the right questions, translate technical risks into business impact, and help lay the foundation for a scalable, future ready CoreDux.

In what ways could you improve yourself as an employee of CoreDux?

There are a few areas where I’d personally like to keep developing. One is learning to think more strategically. I also think I could be more serious at times, though I try to balance that with being approachable. A leadership or management training would also be interesting and helpful. Additionally, I’d like to deepen my knowledge in IT, especially around ERP systems like SAP.

More generally, I believe it’s important to take ownership of your own development. The opportunities are there, but no one will hand them to you. You have to know what you want, take initiative, and be willing to put in the effort to grow.