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Coffee with Niels Verhaest, Sales Director at Kales Airline Services
27 November 2011Niels, can you give us a short introduction of how you have come to work at Schiphol airport?
After finishing high school, I had really no idea what I wanted to study or do in the future and decided not to start anything without proper motivation. Therefore, I took a temporary job, delivering Italian wines and delicacies throughout the country. Even though I enjoyed doing that, I realized it was not getting me anywhere, career wise…
So I quit my job and found new opportunities at Schiphol. Initially at a freight forwarder and later on at a General Sales Agent (that is now 14 years ago). At the age of 27, I became Sales Manager at a GSA start-up and two years later, I took a leap to Kales Airline Services.
Niels Verhaest in three words?
Self reflection is always difficult … but the first thing that comes to mind would be energetic. I can imagine that my enthusiasm and drive can even be overwhelming at times, but my energy helps me to realize my goals and to get the most out of everything I do. I strive for maximum result and satisfaction. So you could call that ambitious. For customers of Kales Airline Services, both airlines and cargo agents, this means my goal is to establish a win-win situation. In the end, keeping your promises is the most important thing in doing business. So integrity would be your third word.
We often hear that Schiphol is a dynamic working environment, how do you experience this?
Never a dull moment… It sounds cheesy, but it is certainly true. New business opportunities sometimes seem to come out of the blue and drastically impact my schedule for the day, or even for the week. It is all about reacting fast to what is happening around you. Another aspect is that our business is very international, dealing with so many different airlines, cultures, time zones and ways of doing business. That keeps it interesting and fun.
Today you are Sales Director at Kales Airline Services, what attracted you to this position?
My current position was a logical step in my career, which I naturally grew in to after having been with Kales Airline Services for some time. I still learn every day and will continue to develop myself. Together with Thom Bekker, Operations Director, I am responsible for Kales Airline Services Cargo in The Netherlands. But being located in Amsterdam, where Kales Group has its headquarters, also means we get involved in developing new projects that are not necessarily limited to just The Netherlands.
Why Kales, and what does the corporate slogan, “service in every direction” mean for you as a Sales Director?
With “service in every direction” we mean a certain mindset where we focus on our customers’ needs. For airlines from all parts of the world we really “go the extra mile” in the service we deliver. And although we can not guarantee to our forwarders that nothing ever goes wrong, I believe in partnership and solving problems together. I see this as an opportunity to demonstrate our strength and dedication.
This also answers your question “why Kales?”. I choose to work at Kales Airline Services because Peter Kales, CEO and founder of the company, shares the same philosophy when it comes to service and commitment towards our customers.