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Spargle meets Laura Koopmans
Laura Koopmans embodies the essence of following one’s instincts and embracing courage in her career journey. As a Business Consultant at UWV, she thrives on challenges and constant movement, reflecting her adventurous spirit. Specializing in Agile methodologies, she simplifies complexities through visuals, fostering teamwork. With a diverse background spanning marketing to digital and IT, Laura’s adaptability shines. She foresees digitalization trends in healthcare and advises freelancers to stay relevant.
Inspirator: Barack Obama ‘Get Stuff Done’
Book: Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
Motto: Not one quote in particular, but keep moving!
“I thrive in environments with constant movement, because I like action and I never say no to a challenge.”
First things first, who are you?
My name is Laura Koopmans, together with my husband and son I live in Weesp. I think if I had to describe myself I would say I am quite an adventurous spirit. I thrive in environments with constant movement, because I like action and I never say no to a challenge. Besides that I love traveling far abroad with my family, which probably stems from my need for action, but I think there is nothing more beautiful than experiencing different countries and cultures and seeing the beauty our world has to offer.
What is your current role and at UWV?
At the moment I am working for UWV as a Business Consultant. This role involves assisting within the implementation of the Agile way of working within the ‘Klant & Service’ division. In doing so I fulfill the role of Business Consultant within several projects.
What are significant challenges you encounter in your role?
What I think is a major challenge that I have observed in many organizations where I have worked is the use of high level language and jargon, often coupled with extensive slide presentations. I definitely think this impacts all members of the organization immediately, because it hinders a clear understanding of what actually needs to be done. Therefore as a team you might lose focus and are not able to execute your responsibilities optimally.
How have you overcome those challenges, or how do you deal with them now?
What it basically requires is simplifying complex matters. Over the years I have made it my hip pocket skill to translate complex matters into something that everyone understands in a short amount of time. That is why I draw a lot, often using literal figures (with little characters), and I see that it not only helps in order for me to understand and dissect a complex problem, it also helps me with communicating it towards a team and stakeholders. When people understand what you are talking about and why things need to change, you create a vision within a team and over the long run even allies. That’s when things start to change and you can transform.
“If you stay relevant in the dynamic landscape of freelancing, you’ll have to keep learning.”
Did you anticipate or plan for taking a role like the one you currently hold?
Not necessarily, I wanted to join the police when I was younger, so I had different dreams. However, instead of the police I started in marketing. Something completely different. I initially got a job at an advertising agency, then I transitioned into the client-side in marketing communication, moved towards marketing and product management, and then made the switch to digital and IT. I once served as a Product Owner for a team where we built new middleware applications using low code. And to this day I remain to learn more and more about anything that crosses my path.
What trends do you foresee in 2024 within your role and/or in the freelancer industry?
What I see coming in the future is the gradual disappearance and/or development of certain industries and that some roles will stop to exist. Over the next few years, I think there will be a substantial shift towards digitalization in healthcare and related sectors. Progress in these sectors have been slow. The awareness of challenges such as an aging population and events like the COVID-19 pandemic have served as a wake-up call. The government will have to take steps to digitalize and implement Agile working. So if you want to stay relevant as a freelancer, I would say: keep an eye on these two sectors. And obviously a no-brainer: keep learning as a freelancer, just so you stay relevant in the dynamic landscape of freelancing.
“A strategy is important, but it is also crucial to move forward and engage proactively to achieve tangible results.”
Who inspires you, and why?
Many people inspire me on a daily basis, these people tend to evolve depending on what kind of inspiration I’m searching for. The last time I felt inspired was after reading the biography of Elon Musk. While I do not necessarily align with his opinions, which can be unconventional, his life story is compelling. I certainly think his biography is inspiring material for anyone working in Agile. Beyond a lot of unique perspectives, Musk’s biography offers a glimpse into a life which is a blend of both crazy, audacity and brilliance. I highly recommend it!
What is your life motto or favorite quote?
To be honest I don’t have a single favorite quote, but I have always admired Barack Obama’s simple yet impactful quote: ‘Get stuff done’. A video on LinkedIn further emphasizes the significance of this message. As we have discussed, in many organizations, there tends to be a notable gap between strategy and execution. A strategy is important, but it is also crucial to move forward and engage proactively to achieve tangible results. So ensure clarity by making complex messages easy to understand and take action.
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