On behalf of ROM InWest, Pieter Ziani and Quinten Stol participated in the ROM Young Talent Program. How do they look back on the program?
How did you discover the ROM Young Talent Program?
Pieter: “The ROM Young Talent Program came my way when I applied to ROM InWest as an investment analyst. The HR Manager at the time told me that I would be able to participate as a trainee from my first week of work. I was more than happy to do so. It was the first edition, so I had little idea of what to expect. I did know in advance that I would spend one day a week on it, usually a Thursday or Friday.”
Quinten: “At the end of my studies in France – where I lived for fifteen years – I had done an internship at an investment fund in impact investing, when I came across the vacancy for investment analyst at ROM InWest on LinkedIn. The ROM Young Talent Program seemed like a great opportunity to start my career in the Netherlands and immediately build a strong network. The program is set up so that each ROM sends one trainee, but two ROMs had no candidates for this first edition. So there were still two places left. That's why Pieter and I were able to participate together on behalf of ROM InWest in this edition.”
What made you excited about this program in advance?
Pieter: “Because I only had a bachelor’s degree when I started working at ROM InWest, I saw the program as a great opportunity to continue learning in parallel with my work. What immediately appealed to me was that it is a long-term and structured program with a certificate. Its broad scope was perfect for me to discover which parts of investment management suit me best.”
Quinten: “The program seemed like an opportunity to grow faster professionally within the field of ROMs in a broader sense, because you see much more than just your job. For example, you also have a lot of contact with other ROMs and work on research projects, which gives you extra knowledge of venture capital.”
What did the programme entail in broad terms?
Pieter: “We started with a three-day introduction, including a personality test to get a clear picture of your natural talents and how you behave in a team. In between, we followed training courses on topics such as communication, conflict management and productive working, and each ROM organises the Tour de ROM for one day. Finally, there were two projects that we worked on as a trainee group. In our case, one project was about the lead process and the other about investment conditions. At the end, we did the personality test again so that you could see how you have changed over time, both professionally and personally.”
What did the Tour de ROM involve and what did you think of this part?
Pieter: “For the Tour de ROM, each trainee organises one full day with a certain budget, during which all trainees visit his or her ROM. Quinten and I did that together for ROM InWest. In addition to a few mandatory components such as a knowledge session and a visit to a portfolio company, you have complete freedom to fill in the day in your own way. In the morning, we visited the United Repair Centre in Amsterdam – the first company that ROM InWest invested in – and concluded the evening with a joint dinner and Jeux de Boules at Mooie Boules in Haarlem. It was a very fun and educational day.”
Quinten: “What I like about the Tour de ROM is that you immediately get the opportunity to proudly present a portfolio company, even if you have only been working at your ROM for a short time. By getting to know peers from other ROMs, you also effectively expand your network. I already notice that I am an important link for contact with other ROMs.
What did you like most about the program?
Pieter: “For me, it was without a doubt the visits to the portfolio companies. By physically visiting them, you see very concretely what investments can do and how they are relevant for a certain region. It is also the ultimate way to ‘feel and taste’ what starting entrepreneurs encounter. That makes your work a lot more personal. And it is very inspiring to see the successes of investments.”
Quinten: “I would like to mention the group, which was very pleasant in our case. During the three-day Teambuilding event in Utrecht, we immediately clicked and I was able to exchange ideas about my field of expertise and ambitions with other analysts. Because I always felt like I was in a safe environment, I dared to be vulnerable. That's how you can really learn. After the traineeship, we will definitely keep in touch with each other.”
What aspect of the program did you find most educational for your future career?
Pieter: “I especially found the training on conflict management and brainstorming with other trainees on soft skills interesting. It is nice to be able to openly discuss how you deal with difficult and exciting situations and what you encounter, without it having a direct impact on your work. Experiences of others can also help you to be prepared for the future. I think people sometimes underestimate how stressful working with entrepreneurs can be. No matter how big the interests and expectations are, you also have to be able to bring disappointments.”
Quinten: “I agree with Pieter. You don’t do these soft skill trainings during your studies or first job. That’s why it’s a really valuable extra that can help you grow faster. I also found the storytelling component very useful. I think making an impact is very important, but I sometimes have trouble explaining it. That is important when you enter into a partnership with an entrepreneur. You have to be able to convince him that we at ROM have the same goal in mind.”
How would you summarise this programme?
Pieter: “The ROM Young Talent Program is really the perfect kickstart for your career. Due to the broad approach and ample attention for soft skills, it is a strong addition to the factual knowledge that you often already have to a large extent. The knowledge, insights and skills that you gain during the training can be applied almost immediately in your work. And during the program there is plenty of room to share experiences with your fellow trainees. My tip to other trainees would be to ask everything from the start. That way you really use the program to discover what suits you. For the Tour de ROM I would advise not to take it too seriously. There are guidelines, but it should also be a fun day.”
Quinten: “For a first edition I thought it was already very strong. The fact that it is a national program with other ROMs makes it special and gives it extra added value. My tip to future trainees is to be curious and ask a lot of questions. This is the opportunity to develop yourself and discover things about yourself.”
How did you experience your first year at ROM InWest – parallel to this program?
Pieter: “I appreciate the nice mix of experienced and young people, who are all driven to make a social impact. All colleagues are helpful and share their experiences very openly, from which I learn a lot. Because we have not been around for that long, most procedures are not yet set in stone. That creates a dynamic atmosphere.”
Quinten: “I am happy to see that everyone in our investment team really wants to make an impact. I think it is important to see that reflected in my colleagues and the entire organization. There is plenty of room for personal initiative in this young organization. Because I find energy cooperatives very interesting, I was recently allowed to do a deep dive on them. This will allow us to better help entrepreneurs in that specific sector in the future.”
