Chris Feringa’s Post

Happy to celebrate another work anniversary at Innova! 🎉 To honor my 3 years here, I'm sharing 3 of my learnings: 🏆 Always strive for better The standard can always be raised. When you move out of survival mode into successful handling of the status quo - don't stop growing, but work toward even bigger and better results next! 🎯 Come with a solution We run into challenges all the time (at least most of us do 😁) but it is far more helpful and effective to present a challenge along with a proposed solution - or two. 👩👩👧👦 Relationships matter Whether it concerns colleagues, business partners or suppliers: relationships can (help) make or break your success. Treat others the way you hope to be treated. Picture: the gorgeous tulips in front of Innova's HQ! ❤️

Two decades fly by in a blink when shared with the right people. Recently, I had the honor of celebrating a 20 year work anniversary with a colleague who had been a cornerstone of our team. It's moments like these that remind us of the immense value in building strong, lasting relationships at work. The bonds we've crafted over these years have weathered challenges and celebrated victories. Here’s what I've learned from two decades alongside incredible people: → Shared purpose is powerful. When everyone rallies around a common goal, it transforms daily tasks into meaningful pursuits. → Trust is the glue. It's the foundation that holds us together through tough times and amplifies our triumphs. → Celebrate every win. Big or small, victories keep us motivated and remind us why we started this journey together. → Empathy elevates. Understanding and supporting each other’s unique strengths fosters a thriving environment. Reflecting on two decades, it’s clear that the people around us make the journey worthwhile. We’ve not only built an outstanding team but a work family. As we look forward to more years ahead, I’m grateful for every lesson learned and every moment shared. To everyone in my professional sphere: thank you for being part of this incredible journey.

Today is my 5 year work anniversary! As I pause and reflect over the last 5 years, I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned at work: 1.) Never stop learning and improving yourself. Personal development is just as important as professional development. 2.) Be trustworthy. Afterall, your character is everything. 3.) Always maintain integrity and do the right thing. God will bless you for it (Luke 16:10) 4.) Honor and value your customers. Treat them with the highest respect and they will remain loyal to you. 5.) Leadership matters. It is a critical component of success. 6.) Hard work isn’t always recognized. Keep striving for greatness, one day it will pay off. 7.) Embrace challenges and speak up. Take risks and make it happen. 8.) You are replaceable at work but your kids only have one Mom or Dad. Put your family first. (I’m grateful for a company that understands my kids come first. I’ve only missed one basketball game in 5 years due to working out of town. That’s invaluable!)🤍 9.) Have fun at work, life is short! When you can, help others and give back. 10.) Most importantly, always remember “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 Be blessed my friends 💙

When things get hard… This is what it actually means: 1. You are doing something that’s meaningful to you. 2. Success will taste a lot better later. 3. You are getting a training on handling hard for when it gets hardER. 4. You get an opportunity to sharpen skills. 5. You get an opportunity to realign yourself with your true values. 6. You got an opportunity to cut down on distractions. 7. You got an opportunity to create great memories (this one day is going to be the ‘good old days’). 8. You got a great opportunity to learn something new about yourself. This is what it actually means among other cool things. My LinkedIn network is reminding me today is my work anniversary. So this is the perspective I'd like to share with you. When it gets hard, that's one of the main ingredients for magic to happen. So, take it the way it comes!

We were celebrating an anniversary in the office today and one of the team said I had been an inspiration over the last 12 months. I wasn't expecting that, it was lovely to get the feedback. I took this photo on holiday the other week and it got me thinking about how we inspire others, but more importantly, how do we move forward and inspire ourselves. Imagine you're standing on the shore, the place where you've always been. The sand beneath your feet represents your old self—familiar, comfortable, but limited to this small stretch of beach. The waves lap at your ankles, inviting but also uncertain. The ocean before you is vast and unknown, a symbol of potential, change, and discovery. You step into a small boat, pushing off from the shore. As the distance between you and the land grows, you leave behind all that was safe but stagnant. The shore fades into the distance, like the version of yourself you’ve outgrown. You’ve let go of the stability you once clung to, trading it for the endless horizon. Out on the open water, the journey isn't always smooth. The sea is unpredictable, like the uncertainties and fears you face in the process of transformation. There are moments of calm, where you feel the peace of aligning with something new, and moments of storm, when you doubt or struggle against the waves. But as you continue sailing, the horizon ahead becomes clearer. You begin to trust the journey, feeling the wind in your sails, carrying you toward a version of yourself that has yet to fully reveal itself. You no longer look back to the shore; the pull of the unknown future is stronger than the past you've left behind. Eventually, you see a new shore, representing the discovery of your new self— a place that holds different possibilities, growth, and deeper meaning. The person stepping out of the boat on this new land is not the same one who left the shore behind. Interesting thought to ponder, maybe it is time to find your boat!

Today marks my 13th Anniversary as a member of The Brydens Group. I feel privileged to have had the chance to collaborate with influential individuals who have enabled me to forge a fulfilling path while contributing value to the organization. Reflecting on my journey, if you had asked me at the outset if I envisioned myself in my current role, I would likely have answered affirmatively. I have always been driven and recognized the unique skillset I possess and how it can effectively be utilized. My philosophy includes volunteering my talents where I believe they can make a difference, regardless of personal gain. This approach has not only opened doors to unforeseen opportunities but also allowed me to display abilities beyond my designated responsibilities. At Brydens, I have transitioned from Brand Manager to Business Development Manager and now Group Corporate Affairs Manager—a career trajectory that aligns perfectly with my aspirations. Each role has been a learning experience, allowing me to refine my skills and maintain a perpetual sense of excitement. Ultimately, it boils down to comprehending your value. In essence, if you view yourself as a brand, what principles do you stand for? My journey highlights the significance of hard work, belief, and being a bit of a dreamer. Defining your identity and ensuring that you consistently deliver on it is paramount. As I celebrate 13 years with Brydens with great enthusiasm, I hope, in your journey, you too have a narrative of growth and self-discovery, where you have carved out opportunities by recognizing your inherent value. Picture: 13 Years Ago as a Brand Manager for Wines & Champagnes at a Wine Training demonstrating the wrong way to hold a glass 😶

"Happy 6th anniversary to our incredible company! 🎉🥳 It's been an amazing journey filled with growth, challenges, and countless memorable moments. From humble beginnings to where we are today, each step has been a testament to our dedication, teamwork, and innovation. Here's to many more years of success, camaraderie, and making a positive impact together! 🚀 #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork #SixYearsStrong"

Celebrating my four-year work anniversary at Heriot Brown In-House Legal Recruitment with some reflections on the four key lessons I've learned along the way 📚 : 1️⃣ Pay it forward ⏩ : You never know whose future you'll influence or how they'll impact yours. The Heriot Brown Community embodies this ethos of mutual, long-term benefit. 2️⃣ Celebrate small wins 🙌 : I tend to be a "glass half empty" person (recruitment can do that!), but focusing on marginal gains has transformed my perspective. 3️⃣ Managing a team is humbling 📈 :  Stepping into management has been the steepest learning curve of my career—challenging but deeply rewarding. 4️⃣ Culture is everything 🌳 :  I joined Heriot Brown for the people, and that's why I stay. Despite our growth, we've maintained the same purpose, drive, and dedication that captivated me from day one. What lessons have you learned in your career that have shaped your journey? P.S. Thanks James Betteley for treating me to a celebratory lunch!

Malinda Parkinson was Hadron Group's first employee in 2019 and has just celebrated her 5th anniversary with us. We took this opportunity to ask her a few questions on her highlights over that time. ⭐ What has been the most interesting project you've worked on in your five years with us, and why? I have worked across so many varied projects that it is hard to choose a favourite or the most interesting. For me personally, I really enjoy working on projects where I feel like I am having an impact. That may be because we are shaping the development and delivery of a major project that will have a significant impact for many people, however in many instances it is more that our team is providing a unique perspective or capability that the client team couldn’t otherwise do, which also has a huge impact. ⭐ What changes have you seen in the industry that interest you?   NSW is in an interesting place at the moment, coming off the back of significant investment in infrastructure. New light rail and metro networks and the Western Sydney International Airport are just a few examples of major projects that are facilitating major growth and development across greater Sydney. However, we are still facing major challenges including a shortfall in housing and significant gap in affordable housing. Both policy makers and the private sector will play an important role in working through these challenges and it will be great to have the opportunity to help shape this. ⭐ How has your role evolved over the past five years?   I think most noticeably, my approach to work has evolved to facilitate the juggle between family and work. I used to have the luxury of being able to work wherever and whenever. I am now a lot more focused and prioritise my time more effectively. I am grateful that Hadron Group provides the opportunity for me to work on interesting problems and make a difference whilst also maintaining the flexibility to enjoy quality time with my two little ones.

I am Founding Member #67 of 93% Professionals and I highly recommend it for corporate membership and individual professionals. Corporate membership is obviously most helpful for the charity, and well done Slaughter and May for being one of the 93% Professionals Founding Member Firms 👏 What do I enjoy most about 93% Professionals? ✔️ The warm and active online Slack community where state-educated professionals both within their own sector and across sectors can chat and exchange ideas ✔️ The weekly round-up emails - love a bit of know-how and they are fun ✔️ Numerous and well-organised opportunities to meet in person There are many other benefits - see post below - but these are my favourites. Being a member of 93% Professionals also - obviously - sends a strong signal that state-educated talent is welcome where you work. Easy to forget that this isn’t always obvious to those looking in to high-prestige employers. Being a member of 93% Professionals works well for professionals of all ages and I personally think it would be GREAT for state-educated solicitor apprentices.. #StateSchoolProud Sophie Pender Fin Wright Imogen Carr Ellie Wardrope