By Silke Wagemakers, Director People, Sales & Strategy at Belsberg, a growing community of driven consultants who advise, support, and deliver tangible results in all areas of HR — from Technology & Transformation to Talent Management, Operations, and Payroll.
For ten years, I built my career in the corporate world. Driven by a deep passion for my profession and the desire to make a genuine impact, I thrived in roles that energized me and pushed me to grow. Along the way, I had the privilege of coaching dozens of colleagues, helping them excel as consultants and maximize their own impact.
During that time, I learned how to optimize processes, how large-scale recruitment functions operate, and how KPIs provide structure and direction. Yet I also discovered that recruitment is about far more than numbers and procedures. At its core, it is about something more fundamental: making a difference in people’s careers — and ultimately, their lives.
Today, I am on the other side of the table. As Director People, Sales & Strategy at Belsberg, I help shape a consultancy proposition that is truly future-proof. I am in the position to decide how we apply technology, where we accelerate, and — just as importantly — where we slow down to create space for meaningful conversations.
From KPIs to Impact
A KPI-driven environment can be overwhelming at first. The pressure to deliver results and meet targets is immense. I mastered the craft and grew accustomed to a fast-paced, results-driven culture that strengthened my resilience and taught me the value of forecasting. But within that environment, I uncovered a vital truth: activity and results are inseparable. The difference doesn’t lie in talent, but in mindset. Once you embrace the belief that every action matters, your entire approach changes. You stop chasing KPIs for the sake of numbers and start working for your own growth — and for the people you help move forward.
The Consultancy Market: Speed and Service
In HR contracting, speed and quality are everything. Clients expect you to find the right talent quickly and to adapt seamlessly to their growth. But speed alone is not enough. Delivering excellence requires a balance between technology and humanity. Our unique strengths — speed, quality, and personal attention — can only be realized when both work hand in hand. That’s why we deliberately invest in four areas.
AI and Data Enrichment for Precision and Speed
We listened to our team’s frustrations, explored possible solutions, tested tools, and analyzed demos. Our goal was clear: to clean and enrich our data, strengthen lead generation, and reduce the administrative burden on our consultants. By streamlining these processes, we created space for them to focus on what truly adds value: building relationships, guiding clients and candidates, and creating meaningful impact. Technology automates the repetitive, freeing our consultants to do what no algorithm ever could: listen, manage expectations, and build lasting relationships. It is not an end in itself, but a powerful enabler that allows our people to perform at their very best.
Individual Coaching for Retention and Growth
The new generation — Gen Z — doesn’t see work as the ultimate goal, but as one of many priorities in life. Flexibility, purpose, and continuous development matter just as much as salary or job titles. They value open feedback, mental well-being, and the freedom to design a career that fits their lifestyle. For them, loyalty is not about staying with one company forever, but about feeling seen, supported, and inspired while they are there. This means employers must offer more than a contract and a laptop. At Belsberg, coaching is not a nice-to-have but a core instrument to retain and engage people — even if it means that one day they leave us as a better version of themselves.
The Brand as a Human Face in an AI Era
A brand is more than a logo or a website — it is a promise of presence and trust. In a world where technology increasingly takes over, the need for authentic human connection only grows. For me, the Belsberg brand embodies closeness: being the partner who listens, thinks along, and supports informed decisions. That is why I make it a priority to be personally present at key networking events and why we partnered with HR Tech. In an era defined by AI, ambassadorship has never been more vital. I want to be the face of that commitment, representing the human side of our profession in a time of rapid technological change.
Stronger Together: Collaborating with ‘Conculleagues’
The days of doing business in isolation are over. By collaborating with so-called competitors, we can manage peaks, share knowledge, and safeguard quality — keeping our promise to clients of both speed and craftsmanship. When you approach conculleagues in this spirit and open yourself to their ways of working, you become stronger together. It creates opportunities to learn from one another, support each other, and ultimately grow side by side.
From Manager to Builder
Personally, this is the most exciting phase of my career so far. Where I once worked within the structures of the corporate world, I now have the freedom to create. I get to design processes, choose how we leverage technology, and — perhaps most importantly — ensure that people truly feel seen. At the end of the day, it’s not dashboards, KPIs, or AI features that build connection. It’s the unexpected praise, the coffee machine chat, and the genuine check-ins that make people feel they belong. The same goes for our clients, in-house payroll consultants, and freelancers: we organize gatherings to meet in person. Efficiency is important, but personal connection is essential.
Technology as a Lever, Humanity as the Differentiator
I am convinced that technology can free us from noise and repetitive tasks. But the time we gain must be invested in what truly matters: guiding, challenging, and growing people. As AI and automation accelerate at unprecedented speed, our human side becomes our greatest differentiator. Empathy, curiosity, creativity, and genuine connection are qualities no algorithm can replicate — and they are precisely what give us the edge. Technology should amplify our potential, not replace our presence. By working smarter and being more productive, we can direct our energy toward what really matters: having a meaningful impact on people’s lives. By embracing this balance, we can create environments where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential. This is what we must protect — and continually strengthen.
About the author: Silke Wagemakers is Director People, Sales & Strategy at Belsberg. With over ten years of experience in recruitment and people management roles in the corporate world, her mission is to use technology wisely to give humanity the stage it deserves.