An angel without wings, or a hero without a cape? Either way, Veronique Bayraktar comes as the new Office Manager at Salacia Solutions like a gift from heaven. The Rotterdam office is becoming increasingly filled with specialists, who need to be able to have a full focus on the work they do within their expertise. Every conceivable facility matter interferes with that. With Veronique’s arrival, no one has to worry anymore about arranging work around their own task. She facilitates every colleague when needed, in matters such as scheduling, administration, staff matters and communication.
Wings earned in office management
Veronique studied Communication and Multimedia Design in Rotterdam. She also holds a diploma from art school Willem de Koning. “I graduated in marketing,” Veronique explains. “After my studies, I started working on projects, including in service management. Then I accepted a position as office manager in the Internet sector. That suited me particularly well, I continued in it. I have now been working as an office manager for 15 years, the last 12 of which with the same employer, before Salacia. I have learned a lot and experienced a nice growth.”
The path to Salacia was obvious
Her former employer already worked freelance for Salacia Solutions and knew the Rotterdam club well. When Veronique expressed a desire for a new challenge, the contact was easily made. “Salacia seems like a great fit for who I am,” Veronique observes. “I can mean a lot to the team here, I can help build and expand Salacia. Unburdening colleagues is my job and I have a feeling that Lenny and Kees could use some unburdening as well,” she says, smiling.
Sustainability comes even closer now
Privately, Veronique was already concerned with sustainability. Veronique: “But in a way that is common to more people. I am aware of climate issues, in the broadest sense of the word. In business, however, it is new to me, so I am impressed by what Salacia knows and does. It’s nice to work for an employer that is doing its bit for sustainability.”
No defined scope of work
The support role assigned to Veronique is certainly not a defined area of work. “Actually, anything can come on my plate. The gentlemen (Lenny and Kees) also have to get used to the fact that there is now someone around who ‘takes care of it’. This involves letting go, handing over work and trusting that things will turn out all right. When you have a lot on your plate, it is difficult. However, I notice that they are managing to let go; I am already being called in to solve ad hoc things. That’s great to do, I’m like a spider in its web. Signaling is also part of my job: if I come across something that is not going well or can be improved, I report it. Then it is addressed.”
Veronique is a native of Amsterdam, but lives in Bergschenhoek. “That’s literally under the smoke of Rotterdam, so nice and close,” she says cheerfully. “And that Rotterdam mentality of ‘don’t bullshit, but clean up’ suits me just fine!” Asked about her ambitions, Veronique replies, “I want to help Salacia grow, help streamline the organization. If I can be a part of those processes, then I’m happy.”
