Unique of its kind
By Reenike Yanik · 2 hours ago · Edited: 2 hours ago
© Own image Martijn VerspeekRTL
In times of shortage, employers do everything they can to attract employees. But at installation company Verspeek from Valkenswaard they do things slightly differently. There you will only be told how much you earn two days before you start. Owner Martijn Verspeek (44) only wants employees who work for him ‘with passion’. “When people work with a smile, money is no longer a motivator.”
You just have to dare: quit your job to start at a company where you don’t know how much you will earn. While you have a mortgage to pay. Ronnie Heesakkers did it. He had no problem at all with not knowing his salary when he signed his contract last year. “It’s the confidence that Martijn knows how to give you. That’s why you know that the salary will also be fine.”
His parents’ company
Trust, that’s what it’s all about, according to Martijn. “Many employment contracts do not radiate confidence. They are full of penalty clauses and non-competition clauses. If my boys dare to trust that the salary will be fine, they will get that confidence back from me. We do not follow rules,” says Martijn.
Thirteen years ago he took over the company from his parents. His parents did not want employees themselves, but when he took over the company, Martijn knew he could not do without employees. But he wanted colleagues who wanted to work for him ‘with passion’, just like himself. “The best job there is is the job you would like to do for free and that also pays.”
He was inspired by the American online shoe company Zappos. “After an intensive four-week training, new employees are offered $2,000 to leave. What they want to achieve is that the people who decline that offer really choose the company. For work that they really enjoy and not for the money. “
© Own image Martijn VerspeekDaughter Fay wanted to ride on the back of the bus with dad.
He didn’t think such a ‘departure bonus’ suited his company. He thought about it and came up with this idea. “I look for people who are passionate and come to work for me because of the good stories they hear. I provide trust, a great working atmosphere, a good bus and friendship.” The installers at Verspeek work together in pairs. “On that bus there is laughter, singing and friendships for life. No amount of money can match that.”
It does not mean that Verspeek does not earn well. “On the contrary,” says Martijn. “But if people work with a smile, money is no longer a motivation.”
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Welcome to the Mad World of Money-less Motivation!
By Reenike Yanik · 2 hours ago · Edited: 2 hours ago
© Own image Martijn Verspeek RTL
Ah, the joys of modern employment! Picture this: your mortgage payment looming like a storm cloud, and there you are, applying for a job where the only thing you might know about your paycheck is the color of the envelope it comes in—if you’re lucky! Welcome to the circus of installation company Verspeek, where employees get the delightful surprise of their salary just two days before they clock in. I mean, who doesn’t love a good cliffhanger in their financial planning?
Trust? More Like Thrill-Seeking!
Martijn Verspeek, the daring captain of this ship—who by the way is perfectly 44 years old, not a day more—thinks he’s cracked the code to secure workers who are “passionate,” whatever that means. Apparently, when workers wake up with a smile, it’s a sign that money is just the cherry on the cake. This is the kind of corporate philosophy that would make a banker weep into his designer suit!
Let’s hear from brave souls like Ronnie Heesakkers. This chap quit his job without batting an eye over what he’d earn at Verspeek. For him, it’s all about the ‘confidence’ that Martijn exudes. You can’t argue with confidence! Or can you? Is it sheer trust or just a wild form of faith in the unknown? I mean, if you’re okay with not knowing how much you’ll eat next month, then trust away, my friend!
It’s a Family Affair!
Martijn didn’t want to play by the traditional employer handbook—who can blame him with all those dreadful clauses about penalties? He took over the family business thirteen years ago, flipping the “no employees” rule his parents had. So, let me get this straight: his parents created a company where no one worked? Is that because they thought hiring employees might ruin their weekend plans? Honestly, it sounds like a sitcom plot.
He was inspired, of course, by Zappos—a company so famous for its “crazy” employee policies that it sounds like the Santa Claus of workplaces. You know the deal; after a four-week training, new employees get paid $2,000 to leave if they aren’t the right fit. Because nothing screams “we want commitment” like a monetary bribe to walk out the door! He wisely chose to skip that idea, opting instead for a pay mystery adventure.
Working with a Smile—And a Side of Laughter!
Martijn seeks out people who come to him not for the money (because who wants that, right?), but for the love of the stories they hear. “Come work on the fun bus!” he proclaims, where laughter and friendship are the real currencies. Their working environment sounds like a musical; a mix of camaraderie and camaraderie. Who wouldn’t want to work under those conditions, eh? Just picture it: a mobile karaoke bar where everyone sings “Money for Nothing” while installing plumbing!
And while he assures us he’s doing just fine financially, this guy insists that if people work with joy, money becomes a “non-issue.” You know what else is a non-issue? The ability to buy groceries! Seriously, how does he plan to remain “the fun company” if his employees are slashing their budgets just for the sake of cheerfulness?
Final Thoughts: A Salary for Your Smile?
Martijn, my friend, I commend your creatively wild approach to business, but I can’t help but wonder, are you simply maverick or a madman? Our friendly neighborhood Martijn is navigating the wacky and whimsical world of employment with all the flair of a circus ringmaster! And let’s be honest, there’s a fine line between believing your employees will work for joy and having them set up a GoFundMe for their next meal.
So, if you’re the kind of worker who thrives on uncertainty and spontaneous salary reveals while belting out a show tune or two, Verspeek might just be the place for you. Who needs a steady paycheck when you’ve got passion?
How About You?
So, what do you think? Would you jump into the unknown, trading your salary for smiles? Or are you firmly in the “show me the money” camp? Let us know below!
