Sustainable working makes the pie bigger

Recognition is a strange beast. If you pursue it, there is a good chance you will overshoot your goal. But staying on track without any form of recognition is not easy. How do you keep your own view of your work clear? That point on the horizon in your binoculars?

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A-kwadraat's mission is to increase the employment rate of people who are distanced from the labor market in the region and to focus on employee happiness.

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We firmly believe that fulfilling this mission in a sustainable manner is the only way forward. And by 'sustainable', I mean with the interests of future generations in mind. We are borrowing time, space, and resources from them. That is our horizon.

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Of course, we are delighted with the 5 EFQM stars we recently achieved. EFQM fits us like a tailor-made suit; it is not a straitjacket. 

• Firstly, because it views an organization as part of an ecosystem. 
• Secondly, because it focuses on leadership and organizational culture. 
• Thirdly, because it strikes a balance between now and later. 
• And finally, because it prioritizes value creation for stakeholders.

In fact, we have been working on this since our foundation in 1964. As we grew from a small to a large workshop, we have continuously adapted to social changes and new stakeholders over the past 60 years. So we can safely say that the EFQM philosophy is in our DNA.

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However, even more than the recognition, what matters to us is the confirmation that working sustainably is not an either/or proposition, but a both/and one. Yes, you can treat people and resources sustainably in your daily practice while maintaining exceptionally high quality standards.

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If our offering is a cake, we don't have to divide it between the various interests and stakeholders, between now and later. If one gets a little more, does the other get a little less? You can make the cake bigger in a sustainable way for everyone involved in your operations, today and tomorrow.

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The sparkle in our eyes these days comes not only from the 5 stars of our audit, but also from 60 candles. This year, we are celebrating A-kwadraat's 60th anniversary. Plenty of reasons to celebrate.

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And one thing I know for sure: there will be enough cake for everyone.

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Jan Boeckx