Doing what you love most!

Column Marieke van Echtelt – Managing Director

I am often asked how things are at DVJ, where the real question is ‘how are you getting through the corona crisis?’ We are doing well! We are still having great conversations with clients and challenging each other on research questions. And more and more new brands and companies are finding their way to us. And with prosperity comes a continuous search for great new colleagues. This year, we have welcomed no less than 19 new colleagues, and more will be starting later this year. 19 new top players who want to play the Champions League with us in the field of research. Of course, some top players have also flown out to seize new opportunities in their careers, and we cannot be more proud of that.

The first impression

In his latest blog, Andy writes about the first impressions of brands, advertisements and communication. Where milliseconds count and consumers are flooded with information, online, on the road, and at home, the smallest details can make all the difference. From reinforcing memory structures to standing out among the plethora of messages, the implications are significant for brand growth. For a fast-growing organisation like DVJ, first impressions also play a major role. From meeting new people and new colleagues to the first impression you leave as a company or employee – whether visiting a client or speaking at an event – to the first impression of the company culture. All facets we work hard on and invest in. Hugo van Mol, Team Lead Marketing at theme park Efteling, summed it up nicely in his interview: “Every small step contributes to ensuring the best experience for our visitors.”

What we love to do most

As Jemma describes in her recent blog, the pandemic made us think even more about the things that are important to us. I think that work is also a big part of this. At every introductory meeting, I ask why people want to work at DVJ, and invariably I get back what we want to be: DVJ is the best agency at the moment, the brands and companies you work for are great. The presence of a Center of Expertise that, together with all colleagues, continuously improves research in the field of the questionnaire- and analysis techniques. The development of new solutions and the training programme, and lastly, the culture of continuously wanting to be better than the day before. That appeals to people. It is increasingly important to do what you love and at DVJ that means working with a passion for research and brand growth.

We will continue to talk about and discuss research. We will be at the MIE in the Netherlands in early June, and we are planning for speaking opportunities in Germany and the UK. We will continue to discuss data-driven marketing as a topic of our Brand Growth vision interviews with CMOs, CEOs and CMIs of brands all around the world. Many new interviews will be published in the coming period, so keep an eye on our website and socials. This is how we show what we love to do most!